NATO, Turkish Navy conduct exercise Dynamic Mariner-Mavi Balina in Mediterranean 

NATO and the Turkish Navy kicked off exercise Dynamic Mariner-Mavi Balina 22 from Aksaz Naval Base on 11 September.

Dynamic Mariner is a crisis-response exercise, held in conjunction with the Turkish Navy’s Exercise Mavi Balina, which brings together 12 Allied nations off the coast of Türkiye.

Led by NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the Dynamic Mariner aims to test and demonstrate NATO’s Response Force Maritime Component (NRF/M) and interoperability between NATO forces, enhancing flexibility and improving the ability to work together among Allied nations. It runs from on 11 and 12 September.

The exercise incudes 50 surface units, 5 submarines, 5 air assets (including maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters), 1,500 marines, and personnel, from 12 NATO nations – Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States.

The exercise also involves Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2), two of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces on active duty that contribute to the Alliance’s collective defence on a permanent basis.

“This year’s event includes more assets than ever before, facilitating increased interoperability between our nations and enhancing operational readiness. We continue to work closely with Türkiye and other Allies and Partners to deter aggression and defend the Alliance,” said MARCOM Deputy Commander French Navy Vice Admiral Didier Piaton. 

Dynamic Mariner-Mavi Balina will include training in specific skillsets to include surface, air, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), mine countermeasures, amphibious, hybrid, and force protection operations.