The US Navy and its allies have commenced this year’s multi-lateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise in the Norwegian Sea.
The US-led exercise will also see the participation of naval forces from Canada, France, Norway and the UK.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Personnel participating in the AWS initiative initially gathered to take part in a pre-sail conference on 9 May in Bodo, Norway, which marked the start of the drill programme.
The exercise has been designed to improve the interoperability and tactical proficiencies of the navies’ respective ASW forces.
Task Force 69 6th Fleet Unit commander US Navy captain Roger E Meyer said: “This exercise is a key opportunity for US and allied partners to practice ASW skills in a tactically challenging environment.
“It provides valuable headquarters-level and unit-level training and interoperability.”
Meyer is currently responsible for handling submarine operations within the European and African theatres.
This year’s ASW exercise will involve several US Navy assets, including one fast attack submarine, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and one P-8A Poseidon military aircraft attached to the Maritime Patrol Squadron (VP) 10.
The US 6th Fleet is headquartered in Naples, Italy, and is responsible for carrying out a complete range of joint and naval operations, often in cooperation with allied and inter-agency partners.
The operations are conducted with the aim of supporting US national interests, while ensuring security and stability across Europe and Africa.
