“Nusret- 2023 Call Exercise” continues in Saros Gulf

Within the scope of the exercise, Distinguished Observer Day activities were held in Saros Gulf. Within the scope of the activity, the first mine-laying operation was carried out by TCG Bayraktar.

Then, the mines were dropped from the air into the sea by a C-130 type aircraft. The mines identified with the ROV device were detonated and destroyed by Mine warfare divers (MHD). Light Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HOSA) also took part in the mined area.

SAS commandos, who were dispatched to the region within the scope of Operation Tactical Claw, jumped from a helicopter to an area close to the detected mine and placed a detonator. The commandos were taken back to the helicopter and the mine was destroyed after passing to the safe zone.

The exercise ended after the personnel injured during the destruction were transferred by helicopter and a ceremony passed.

Troops from 10 countries are participating in the exercise as observers.

The Mine Fleet Commander from Turkey, the 1st Search and Sweep Flotilla Commodore, the 2nd Search and Sweep Flotilla Commodore and the 1st Amphibious Ships Flotilla Commodore, as well as 1 command and control ship, 1 frigate, 2 patrol ships, 8 mine hunting ships, 2 helicopters, 1 underwater defense task team, 2 light autonomous underwater vehicle teams and 1 unmanned aerial vehicle, 2 Coast Guard ships, 2 helicopters from the Land Forces Command, 2 mission flight F-16 and 1 C-130 transport aircraft from the Air Force Command participated.

NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Task Group-2 elements included a command and control ship from Italy, a hunting ship each from Italy, Spain and Greece, and an explosives neutralization team from Croatia, the USA, Malta, Romania and Saudi Arabia. Troops from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, South Korea, Philippines, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan and Oman are participating as observers in the exercise.