A multinational naval exercise focused on crisis response started this week in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, bringing warships from 12 NATO countries into an area with a sizable Russian naval presence.
The Dynamic Mariner exercise led by NATO Allied Maritime Command, or MARCOM, began Sunday near Turkey’s Aksaz Naval Base on the southeast coast of the Aegean Sea, the alliance announced in a statement Monday.
The exercise, in conjunction with Turkey’s Mavi-Balina exercise, includes 50 surface ships, five submarines and five patrol planes and helicopters from the United States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and Turkey.
It wasn’t clear how many U.S. ships and personnel were involved, but Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, led by flagship destroyer USS Forrest Sherman, is participating.
Another standing NATO naval forces command and 1,500 personnel also will participate, the statement said.
The exercise includes more assets than ever before, said French navy Vice Adm. Didier Piaton, MARCOM deputy commander.
“We continue to work closely with Turkey and other allies and partners to deter aggression and defend the alliance,” Piaton said in the statement.
