US Navy. USS Arlington LPD-24 San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.

The USS Arlington is currently deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in the European theatre of operations.The strategic location allows it to play a strong role in deterrence and defence activities.

Steadfast Noon:NATO's Annual Nuclear Drills Visit Southern Europe

NATO's nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon began on 16 October 2023 and runs until 26 October.The manoeuvres are being participated in by 13 NATO Allies.The US has sent Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers to Europe directly from a US base.The drills are being supported by conventional aircraft.No live nuclear weapons are included in the annual autumn event.Flights simulating NATO's response to a nuclear attack are taking place in Southern Europe this year,including Italy,Croatia and the Mediterranean Sea.Said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:Our exercise will help to ensure the credibility,effectiveness and security of our nuclear deterrent.* Most of the drills are held at least 1,000 km/621.37 mi from Russian borders and are not linked to current events.According to NATO's Strategic Concept:the fundamental purpose of NATO's nuclear capability is to preserve peace,prevent coercion and deter aggression.*NATO'S nuclear deterrent has two layers:1.Strategic National Forces of the US,UK and France and 2.the Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) programme,which identifies fighter aircraft with both nuclear and conventional capability.Under the nuclear sharing programme,the US provides tactical nuclear weapons,the B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs,to the following NATO Allies:Belgium,Germany,Italy,the Netherlands and Turkey.These bombs are kept in hardened storage bunkers.The bombs are under custody and control of US Air Force Munitions Support Squadrons co-located on NATO major operating bases.The MSS's work together with host nation Forces.The current DCA are the Panavia PA-200 Tornado IDS and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.The nuclear weapon shelters use the US Air Force W53 Weapon Storage and Security System.Germany plans to phase in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter DCA when it retires the Tornados in 2024.*According to NATO,the credibility of the Alliance's Nuclear Forces is central to maintaining deterrence,which is why the safety,security and effectiveness of these Forces are constantly evaluated in light of technological and geo-strategic evolutions.The Nuclear Planning Group remains the forum for consultation on NATO's nuclear deterrence.The Alliance reaffirms the unique and distinctive role of nuclear deterrence and maintains credible deterrence;strengthens strategic communications;and enhances the effectiveness of its drills,while reducing strategic risks.At the extraordinary Summit of March 2022,after Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine,NATO committed to enhancing preparedness and readiness for chemical,biological,radiological and nuclear threats.* Context:According to NATO's Strategic Concept,approved at the 2022 NATO Madrid Summit:The Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies' peace and security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic Area.It seeks to establish spheres of influence and direct control through coercion,subversion,aggression and annexation.It uses conventional,cyber and hybrid means against us and our partners.Its coercive military posture,rhetoric and proven willingness to use force to pursue its political goals undermines the rules-based international order.The Russian Federation is modernising its nuclear forces and expanding its novel and destructive dual-capable delivery systems,while employing coercive nuclear signalling...We will individually and collectively deliver the full range of forces,capabilities,plans,resources,assets and infrastructure needed for deterrence and defence,including for high-intensity,multi-domain warfighting against near peer competitors...The circumstances in which NATO might have to use nuclear weapons are extremely remote.Any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict.The Alliance has the capabilities and resolve to impose costs on an adversary that would far outweigh the benefits that any adversary could hope to achieve.* Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Dynamic Manta 2023:Anti-Submarine Warfare in the Mediterranean

NATO Exercise Dynamic Manta 2023 began on 27 February and continues through 10 March.It provides complex and challenging maritime warfighting training to all nine participating Allies:Canada,France,Germany,Greece,Italy,Spain,Turkiye,the UK and the US.The techniques,tactics and procedures (TTPs) emphasise anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface warfare in the context of Anti-Access/Area Denial operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea.The drills are meant to shape a collectively trained and interoperable force ready to operate as the maritime component of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF).According to NATO,its maritime power relies on the capability to combine NATO Standing Forces with high capability national forces to deliver effects whenever and wherever needed.In this iteration of the exercise,Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) provides surface warfare assets. SNMG 2 currently consists of the flagship,US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95);Spanish Armada ESPS Juan Carlos I,an amphibious assault ship/aircraft carrier that can launch the AV-8B Harrier II or the F-35B Lightning II;and frigates Hellenic Navy HS Psara (F 454),Italian Navy ITS Carlo Margottini (F 592),and Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337).* Dynamic Manta 2023 is conducted under NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM) headquartered in Northwood,Hertfordshire,UK.Said US Navy Rear Admiral Stephen Mack,Commander Submarines NATO:Strategic defense of the Alliance must incorporate a planned,multi-threat response.* DM 23 involves submarines from Greece,Italy,Turkiye and the US.Air assets,including Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA),are being provided by Canada,France,Germany,Italy,the UK and the US.Host nation Italy is providing support at Catania and Augusta harbours;Naval Helicopter Base Catania;Naval Air Station Sigonella and Trapani;and Augusta Naval Base.* In one drill,Italian Navy Todaro-class submarine ITS Scire (S 527) conducted a Special Operations Forces exercise with Hellenic Navy frigate HS Psara (F 454).For its part,the UK deployed two Poseidon MRA1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from CXX Squadron,and associated communications and engineering specialists,out of RAF Lossiemouth,Scotland to NAS Sigonella and Trapani,Italy for DM 23.The MPA will coordinate with warships and submarines at searching for and locating submarines.During DM 23,submarines and surface combatants take turns hunting and being hunted.*

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) of the US Navy controls the Mediterranean Sea - 23 January 2022

As Ukraine Crisis Builds,Major Naval Drills Set To Begin in Europe

As Europe totters on the edge of an abyss fabricated by the Kremlin,naval forces of both Russia and NATO will soon begin exercising in the region.Russia is holding massive drills involving more than 140 warships and support vessels,50+ aircraft,1,000 pieces of military equipment,and 10,000 personnel,from January-February;while NATO,for its part,is staging Exercise Neptune Strike 22.The NATO drills were not on the list of official NATO exercises for 2022.So far,details about it are sketchy.All that is definitely known is that it begins on 24 January and concludes on 4 February,and that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group with its four Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers;a guided missile cruiser;typically up to two nuclear-powered attack submarines with Tomahawk cruise missiles for power projection on land; and a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate are taking part.The carrier air wing includes several dozen Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets,which can carry armaments ranging up to the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb.* Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired,said the drills will: demonstrate NATO'S ability to integrate the high-end maritime strike capabilities of an aircraft carrier strike group to support the defence and deterrence of the Alliance...NATO Allies will participate in coordinated maritime manoeuvres;anti-submarine warfare training;and long-range strike training.* The Russian exercises will take place both in Russian seas and select World Oceans,including the Mediterranean,the Russian news agency TASS said,where the Truman CSG has been patrolling on orders of the Secretary of Defense,General Lloyd Austin III,US Army retired.* It is also known that NATO Ally Spain has dispatched a minesweeper and a frigate to the Mediterranean and the Black Seas in response to the Ukraine crisis;it may also send fighter aircraft to reinforce NATO Ally Bulgaria.France has offered to send troops to reinforce Romania.* Boeing (BA)

Dynamic Manta 2019:NATO Tests Naval Skillset Off Italian Coastline

On 25 February 2019,NATO began a major naval exercise off the Sicilian coast, Dynamic Manta 2019.Ten Allies have been evaluating and improving their naval warfighting skills: Canada; France; Germany; Greece; Italy;the Netherlands; Spain; Turkey; the UK; and the US.
According to RDM Andrew Lennon, US Navy,Commander, Submarines NATO (COMSUBNATO ):
This exercise is a unique opportunity to enhance naval forces' warfighting skills in all three dimensions of anti-submarine warfare in a multinational and multi-threat environment.*
Nine surface ships,five submarines,six maritime patrol aircraft and two helicopters are participating in the drills.Each surface ship will conduct a variety of ASW operations; while the submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, in close coordination with air and surface assets, said NATO Allied Maritime Command.
In one drill,a helicopter from Canadian frigate HMCS Toronto flew over Spanish submarine ESPS Tramorana at low altitude in an ASW demo.*
The aim of the ten-day exercise in the central Ionian Sea is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in ASW and anti-surface warfare skills,NATO said.*
The drills were supported by host nation Italy from Sigonella Air Base, Navy Helicopter Base Catania,and Augusta Naval Base.*
In the course of the drills,real time and detailed analysis of the individual units' performance has been provided by ASW experts based at Sigonella.This In-Stride Debriefing Team (IDT) will strengthen the coordination of procedures and operations between Allied forces in a context of multiple threats.

NATO's Brilliant Mariner 17:Certifying France for Leadership at Sea

Brilliant Mariner 17 is a NATO non-Article V Crisis Response Operations exercise aimed at certifying France's Aero-Naval Rapid Reaction Force (FRMARFOR) for command of the NATO Response Force (NRF) Maritime Component in 2018.France will assume command on 1 January 2018 and serve in that capacity for one year.The drills are running from 29 September-13 October 2017.Participating are 3500 personnel,27 warships,two maritime patrol aircraft,and amphibious assets from twelve nations,including:
Canada;Denmark;France;Germany;Greece;Italy;the Netherlands;Norway;Portugal;Spain;Turkey;and the UK.*
The NRF is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force comprised of land,air,maritime and Special Operations Forces components that can deploy quickly wherever needed to strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defensive posture,and project stability beyond the Alliance's borders,NATO said.*
Brilliant Mariner 17 is an opportunity for France to exercise command and control at the NRF MCC level.The participating units and crews will evaluate readiness and validate capabilities by operating in a demanding and challenging environment,enhancing collaboration and improving interoperability.*
Brilliant Mariner 17 is headquartered at the French Toulon Naval Base on the Mediterranean.Among the drills conducted so far were:
1.The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond conducted a live firing gunnery exercise (GUNEX) with its 4.5 inch gun at sunrise along with French frigate FS La Fayette;
2.A Maritime Tactical Operations Group (MTOG) from the Canadian Forces conducted small arms training aboard the frigate HMCS Charlottetown;
3.A Royal Danish Navy boarding party disembarked HMCS Charlottetown into a rigid-hulled inflatable boat;
4.Spanish Navy Marines from the Strategic Projection Ship ESPS Juan Carlos I conducted operations on French Military Facility Camp de Garrigues during an infantry exercise;
5.Royal Navy frigate HMS Enterprise received French Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas,who was transferred by helicopter off the exercise flagship,French amphibious ship (LHD) FS Mistral,and winched to the deck.
6.ESPS Juan Carlos I sent Spanish Navy AV-8B Harrier II Plus jets into night operations.
7.French Army Tigre,NH 90 and Puma helicopters practiced "Touch and Gos" on the flight deck of FS Mistral.
8.Spanish Navy Marines conducted amphibious assault training from FS Mistral,including transport ashore by French catamaran.They were also deployed on land by Spanish Navy Sea King helicopters and a French Army Puma for a projection force helicopter drill.
9.A flotilla of 21 Allied ships sailed in formation in the Mediterranean on 8 October.

Navy,Marines On Call for Libya

U.S. military planners are working on various contingency plans for the Libya crisis and are repositioning forces to be able to provide for that flexibility once decisions are made,a Pentagon spokesman said.A destroyer,an amphibious assault ship,the USS Kearsarge(LHD 3),which is carrying part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit,and an aircraft carrier,the USS Enterprise(CVN 65),have passed through the Suez Canal and are on standby in the Red Sea or Mediterranean.
Options being considered include establishing a no-fly zone;safe zones for people sheltering from the Gaddafi regime;securing ports,airports and oil fields;rescuing refugees at sea;and providing guarantees for an attempt to set up a new Libyan government.Cooperation with British and French forces would be particularly important,but Germany is deeply reluctant to get involved militarily.
Rebel forces augmented by rogue Libyan army troops were holding much of Libya as of Tuesday evening,and had successfully repulsed attempts by Gaddafi loyalists to retake ground.
The amphibious assault ship Kearsarge can carry a number of Marine Corps helicopters and Harrier jump jets,besides up to 1871 Marines.The aircraft carrier Enterprise can carry about 80 aircraft and is on one of its last missions,as it is scheduled to be retired in 2012.
Update:A second amphibious assault ship,unnamed as of yet,has reportedly joined the flotilla.