Showing posts with label Rear Admiral Andrew Burcher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rear Admiral Andrew Burcher. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

NATO North Atlantic Drills Step Up Naval Acumen

Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2020 is currently underway in waters off the Icelandic coast.The drills run from 29 June-10 July.Six NATO Allies are participating:
Canada, France, Germany, Norway, the UK and the US,with 5 warships;5 submarines; and 5 maritime patrol aircraft.Vessels engaged in the scenarios include the Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster;US guided-missile​ destroyer USS Roosevelt; German Submarine U 36; and Norwegian frigate HNoMS Sverdrup. Maritime patrol aircraft involved are 2 ATL IIs from France;2 P-8A Poseidons from the US Navy; and a Royal Navy P-8A.The Icelandic Coast Guard can provide air traffic control and search and rescue as needed.*
The aim of DM 2020 is, according to VADM Keith Blount, Royal Navy, Commander,Allied Maritime Command:
To sharpen warfighting skills by focusing on high-end capabilities including Anti-Submarine Warfare.Dynamic Mongoose will ensure that we remain prepared for operations in peace, crisis and conflict.*
DM is an advanced ASW exercise.Overall, said RADM Andrew Burcher,USN, Commander, Submarines NATO:
The exercise is a unique opportunity to enhance naval forces' warfighting skills in all dimensions of Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare in a multinational and multi-threat environment.*
The US Navy operates Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 out of Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland.It serves in the Northern European theatre.*