Dynamic Mongoose 2020 gets under way

NATO launched the Dynamic Mongoose 2020 naval exercise near Iceland.

The exercise is designed to improve NATO allies’ interoperability during multiple submarine warfare operations and will feature drills where the submarines alternate “hunting and being hunted” as they communicate with air and surface ship participants.

“Exercises today seize opportunities for NATO and Allied nations to sharpen warfighting skills by focusing on high-end capabilities including Anti-Submarine Warfare,” Vice Adm. Keith Blount, commander of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, said in a NATO news release.

“DYNAMIC MONGOOSE will ensure we remain prepared for operations in peace, crisis and conflict,” Blount said. “In this regard, I appreciate the outstanding host nation support of the Iceland and those nations that have contributed forces. Dynamic Mongoose will, I am certain, be a highly effective exercise.”

The exercise is slated to run between June 29-July 10 and involves five other NATO allies: Canada, France, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. Although Iceland is not participating, it is providing logistical support as the host nation.

“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,” Burcher said.