Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2020 underway in High North

Naval forces from Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, NATO, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States are participating in the NATO Allied Maritime Command-led (MARCOM) exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2020 in the northern Atlantic Ocean from June 29 to July 10, 2020.

Ships, submarines, as well as aircraft and personnel from six Allied nations are converging off the coast of Iceland for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare training.

In total, five surface ships, five submarines and five maritime patrol aircrafts are participating.

Submarines from France, Germany, Norway, United Kingdom and the United States under NATO Submarine Command are joining surface ships from Canada, Norway, United Kingdom and the United States. As the host nation, Iceland is providing logistical support in Reykjavik.

To enhance the simulated multi-threat environment, maritime patrol aircrafts from France, Norway, United Kingdom and the United States support the exercise.

The aim of Dynamic Mongoose is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-Submarine and anti-surface warfare skills, with due regard to safety.

“NATO’s annual anti-submarine-warfare exercise Dynamic Mongoose remains one of the most challenging exercises and an excellent opportunity for NATO nations’ naval forces to practice and evaluate their anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare skillsets in the challenging environment of the North Atlantic. This exercise is a unique opportunity to enhance naval forces’ war-fighting skills in all dimensions of anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare in a multinational and multi-threat environment,” Rear Admiral E. Andrew Burcher, Commander NATO Submarines, said.

Each surface ship will have the opportunity to conduct a variety of submarine warfare operations. The submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.

Due to COVID-19 threat, measures taken by both Icelandic authorities and the force contributing nations will be strictly followed by all sides during the port visits and training.