Roundup: NATO holds anti-submarine warfare exercise in Norway

NATO launched a large anti-submarine warfare exercise off the coast of Norway on Monday, with ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from 10 allied nations and non-member Sweden converging for the annual training.

Submarines from Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United States are to join 13 surface ships from Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States in the exercise, dubbed "Dynamic Mongoose," NATO's Allied Maritime Command said in a press release.

As the host nation for the exercise, Norway is providing support from both the Haakonsvern Naval Base and the Sola Air Base.

"Exercise Dynamic Mongoose is a great training opportunity ... It will allow us to exercise our ASW (anti-submarine warfare) capabilities in a complex and challenging environment," Rear Admiral Brad Williamson was quoted as saying.

"It will also allow us to further integrate with other NATO forces to enhance our interoperability and to be ready to effectively respond to potential submarine threats to any of our NATO allies," he said.

To support the simulated multi-threat environment, three maritime patrol aircraft from France and Germany will operate from Sola Air Base under operational command of personnel from NATO Maritime Air Command, temporarily located at the base for the exercise.

The submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.

According to a statement posted on the Norwegian Armed Forces' official website, nearly 5,000 soldiers will participate in the military exercise from May 4 to 13 in the North Sea and Skagerrak, a strait between Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Endit