Noble Marlin'05 To Be Exercised In Ionnian Sea

ANKARA - The Exercise Noble Marlin'05, the world's largest anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, will be organized in the Ionian Sea with participation of nine NATO members between March 3rd and 16th, Turkish Naval Forces Command said on Tuesday.
The Command stated that the exercise will be commanded by NATO Component Command Maritime Headquarters Naples (CC MAR NAPLES) and NATO Commander Submarines Allied Naval Forces South (COMSUBSOUTH).
The exercise would demonstrate NATO's determination to maintain proficiency in coordinated anti-submarine, anti-surface, and coastal surveillance operations using a multi-national force of ships, submarines and aircraft, the Command said. In addition to traditional submarine roles and missions, this year submarine capabilities will also be exercised in support of defense against terrorism.
Six submarines, ten maritime patrol aircraft and 16 surface ships from the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Spain, Italy, Canada, Greece and Turkey will take part in the exercise.