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Dynamic Mongoose

For Allied submarines, COMSUBNATO provides a critical capability in coordinating and assuring unity of effort among the diverse submarine-operating Allies. NATO submarines have provided realistic ASW and anti-surface warfare components to the annual NATO Response Force certification exercises, formerly the MARINER series, which most recently were held as Exercise NOBLE JUSTIFICATION 2014 in the Mediterranean waters off Spain. Notably, for the 2014 event, COMSUBNATO exercised operational control of five Allied submarines, each from a different nation, showing the capability and capacity necessary for this single SUBOPAUTH.

Exercise DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 2014 was one of two major anti-submarine warfare (ASW)-related exercises that NATO conducts each year, and it specifically focuses on sharpening the skills on the high-end warfare capabilities associated with ASW. The extremely challenging environment is precisely the environment in which NATO might potentially face an adversary: at sea and with an integrated set of air, surface, sub-surface, and intelligence assets. 2014 featured two anti-submarine warfare live exercises in February’s DYNAMIC MONGOOSE and October’s DYNAMIC MANTA, the latter of which was folded into the larger NOBLE JUSTIFICA-TION exercises.

Eight members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization launched anti-submarine naval drill "Dynamic Mongoose" off the coast of Norway. The 11-day drill began on 20 June 2016 and involved 3,000 personnel, submarines and frigates, as well as maritime patrol aircraft. The 8 participating countries are Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Turkey, and the United States. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed sailors on board a Norwegian frigate. The exercise is based on a scenario of NATO forces being detected in the Norwegian Sea and then defending themselves against submarines. A NATO official said an increasing number of Russian vessels have recently been spotted in areas of the North Atlantic. Stoltenberg stressed the need for NATO to boost its defense capability in response to increased pressure from Russia, which had tripled its military spending.

During the exercise, submarines will have to transit from one point to another, while surface vessels try to track them down and simulate an attack. Surface units will also have to transit between two points while under submarine threat. This was the fourth time Exercise Dynamic Mongoose had been conducted; it previously took place in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The exercise takes places in the Norwegian Sea, in an area measuring 14,000 square nautical miles.

Naval forces from Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, NATO, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in the NATO Allied Maritime Command-led (MARCOM) exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2020 in the northern Atlantic Ocean, June 29-July 10, 2020. Participating units from the United States include Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789), and two P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft assigned to patrol squadrons 47 and 16 based out of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.

The live exercise is designed to provide intermediate and advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training opportunities at the unit and task group level, sharpening the ASW and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) skills of participants. Dynamic Mongoose 2020 also serves to build interoperability and strengthen the enduring relationships among participating allied forces.

“Dynamic Mongoose allows Roosevelt to utilize its advanced sonar capabilities in a dynamic, high-intensity anti-submarine warfare environment, while operating with our NATO allies and partners to improve readiness and interoperability,” said Cmdr. Ryan Kendall, commanding officer of Roosevelt. “My team and I look forward to demonstrating the strength of our NATO alliance, working together to hone our warfighting skills at sea.”

To ensure the safety and health of participating military personnel, Dynamic Mongoose 2020 will take place exclusively at sea. This precaution allows NATO to enhance multinational operational cooperation, while ensuring that crews remain healthy and ready to provide continuous regional security. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.