A NATO task force participated in a series of dynamic maritime drills alongside the most advanced warship of the US Navy, during the “Sea Wolverine” exercise in the central Mediterranean Sea.
A statement from the alliance noted that the exercises provided an ideal opportunity for members of NATO’s Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to hone their advanced combat skills and interoperability.
The statement emphasized a shared commitment to defense and collective security in the region. Multiple NATO member nations contributed forces to the exercises, including Greece, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The drills featured the participation of three vessels, which included a Turkish frigate, a Greek frigate, and a Royal British Navy destroyer. Additionally, an Italian submarine, an American cruiser, a destroyer, Greek Air Force F-16 aircraft, an American maritime patrol aircraft, and a diverse group of naval helicopters were also involved.
The exercises were conducted with the involvement of the world’s largest and most modern aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. It showcased its tremendous capability by deploying up to 20 aircraft simultaneously at the peak of the exercise, with its airborne wing consisting of F/A-18 aircraft and airborne early warning aircraft.
