19th February 2004 to 3rd March 2004

NATO Forces Gather in the Mediterranean for NATO’s Largest Annual ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE Exercise

From 19 February to 3 March 2004, 11 NATO nations will provide seven submarines, 14 maritime patrol aircraft, seven surface ships and personnel to take part in NATO’s largest anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, “DOGFISH 04”. The exercise will take place in the Ionian Sea to the east of Sicily.

Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United States will provide the submarines participating in the exercise. Each submarine will have the opportunity of being a hunter as well as the hunted. Five NATO surface ships from Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) will take part, as well as the French frigate FS DUPLEIX and Italian Corvettes ITS DRIADE and ITS MINERVA. The exercise will demonstrate NATO’s determination to maintain proficiency in coordinated anti-submarine, anti-surface, and coastal surveillance operations using a multinational force of ships, submarines and aircraft.

The Maritime Patrol Aircraft that will operate from Sigonella, Sicily, are from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. Italian shore-based ASW helicopters from Fontanarossa, Sicily will also participate. Over 130 day and night air missions are planned.

DOGFISH 04 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.