From Allied Command Operations:  Last week, Exercise Proud Manta 2011 came to a conclusion after two weeks of intense Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) activity. Ten NATO nations provided six submarines, 19 aircraft (including ship-borne helicopters) and eight surface ships for NATO’s largest annual event of this type. Operating in the Ionian Sea to the Southeast of Sicily contributing forces from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States trained and practiced at being both hunter and hunted. 

A Royal Navy helicopter squadron took part in Proud Manta for the first time with Merlin Mk1 maritime patrol helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron flying 2,250km across Europe from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Helston, Cornwall in order to take part in the exercise and practice hunting submarines alongside other NATO helicopters. According to United States Navy Captain Walt Luthiger, Chief of Staff of COMSUBSOUTH and the Exercise Director the exercise was a resounding success: "The participants reached all the exercise objectives I had set and more. I am very very satisfied with the results so far although it will take time to carry out a full analysis”. …

For Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi Commander Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) speaking from his flagship ITS ETNA, the exercise had been of particular success in two ways. "It has offered excellent training opportunities for all the participants getting everyone, ships, planes, helicopters and submarines, all talking to one another and improving their communications and methods. It is also important to note that everything took place with excellent levels of safety and security throughout the entire period of the exercise.”  (graphic: NATO)

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