IMS Press Release 29 Jan. 2001

Exercise Dogfish 2001 NATO forces gather in the Mediterranean for the World's largest yearly anti-submarine warfare exercise From 15 to 28 February 2001, twelve NATO nations will provide seven submarines, seventeen maritime patrol aircraft and nine surface ships to take part in what is the world's largest anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise. The exercise, named DOGFISH 2001, will take place in the Ionian Sea to the east of Sicily. Eight NATO surface ships from Standing Naval Force Mediterranean will join the exercise, as well as the destroyer USS MITSCHER. Seven submarines from Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United States are also scheduled to take part. Each submarine will have the opportunity of being a hunter as well as the hunted. The exercise will demonstrate NATO's determination to maintain proficiency in co-ordinated anti-submarine, anti-surface, and coastal surveillance operations using a multinational force of ships, submarines and aircraft. Maritime Patrol Aircraft will operate from Sigonella, Sicily, and are from Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Italian shore-based ASW helicopters from Fontanarossa, Sicily will also participate. Over 130 air missions are planned, and on average this will result in a crew briefing every two hours, day and night, throughout the 14-day exercise. The exercise will be controlled from the co-located multinational NATO Headquarters of the Commander Submarines Allied Naval Forces South and the Commander Maritime Air Allied Naval Forces South, Naples, Italy. NOTE FOR THE EDITOR: From 13 February until 28 February 2001 a Press Information Centre (PIC) will be established in Naples, Italy (tel. +39 081 7212437). A temporary Sub-PIC will operate from 13 February until 15 February and 23 February until 25 February in Sigonella, Sicily. Media questions prior to the establishment of the PICs should be addressed to the AFSOUTH Public Information Office at +39 081 7212437 (e-mail pio@afsouth.nato.int).