On Monday 24 February in Catania the Dynamic Manta 2020, one of NATO's most important annual exercises aimed at ensuring constant interoperability between air, surface and underwater forces in anti-submarine combat. The exercise will engage in the Ionian Sea, from February 24 to March 6, men and vehicles from 9 allied nations.
The 2020 edition will take part in 5 submarines from France, Greece, Italy and Turkey, under the control of the NATO Submarine Command - COMSUBNATO, 7 surface ships from Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, United States and Turkey. 5 Maritime Patrol Aircraft - MPAs and eight helicopters from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States will also participate, operating from the Sigonella Air Force base and the helicopter station of the Navy of Catania, under the control of the NATO Maritime Air Command (COMARAIRNATO).
The exercise will be conducted at sea by the Italian Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, commander of the Second NATO Permanent Naval Group (Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 - SNMG 2), on board the frigate Carabiniere. The Navy will also participate with submarines Salvatore Todaro e Romeo Romei and with the helicopters of the 3rd Group Helicopters base in the Catania Helicopter Station (MARISTAELI Catania). In addition, Italy will provide logistical support to the participating assets with the naval base of Augusta and the air base of Sigonella, near Catania.
