Exercise Dynamic Manta 2018, a multilateral Allied Maritime Command-led exercise involving NATO forces, began March 5.

The exercise is taking place in the Mediterranean Sea off the southern coast of Italy. During the course of the exercise, U.S. forces will work alongside NATO maritime forces to strengthen interoperability and increase our combined anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability and capacity.

Participating units from the U.S. include one submarine, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), two P-8A Poseidons, and one P-3 Orion.

Dynamic Manta is held annually to provide operational training in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare in order to enhance interoperability and proficiency of participating nations, including scheduled participants Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the U.K., and the U.S.

QUOTE:
"Commander, Task Force (CTF) 67 is excited to serve once again in its NATO role as Maritime Air Controlling Authority (MACA) Sigonella and hub for all maritime patrol aircraft, both planes and helicopters, from seven different nations, out of Naval Air Station Sigonella for Dynamic Manta 18. Multiple times a year, CTF 67 switches to this NATO role, but none are more challenging and rewarding than the NATO maritime patrol aircraft lead for this exercise. Besides bringing the P-8A to the Mediterranean's premiere anti-submarine warfare exercise for a second year in a row, CTF 67 is also hosting exercise control for the first time, further proving itself an invaluable hub to land based anti-submarine warfare aircraft, whether for NATO exercises or operations."
- Lt. Brian O'Bannon, MACA Sigonella Dynamic Manta exercise lead

Quick Facts:
-Exercises like Dynamic Manta allow us to continue to build our combined capability to quickly and effectively respond to a wide variety of surface and sub-surface threats in an increasingly complicated maritime environment.
-The U.S. participation in the exercise demonstrates U.S. commitment to working closely with our NATO allies and partners to enhance maritime security and stability, readiness, and naval capability.
-U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.