The US Navy’s European command has kicked off exercise Shark Hunt 2021, a multi-national anti-submarine warfare exercise being held in the Northern Atlantic.
Led by the US Sixth Fleet Commander, Task Force 69 (CTF-69), the undersea warfare commander, this year’s iteration features three allied submarines, four surface ships, including the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), and seven aircraft from four countries.
Prior to joining the exercise, USS Roosevelt concluded a port call to Rykjavik, Iceland, on July 22.
Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States will the participating countries this year.
“This exercise demonstrates the complexity and lethality of our allied anti-submarine warfare team,” said Capt. John Craddock, commodore, CTF 69. “The multi-domain, multi-national coordination amplifies our ability to promote trans-Atlantic maritime security, provide deterrence, and if required ensure sea denial.”
According to the navy, Shark Hunt develops complex and challenging warfare capabilities to enhance the participants’ interoperability and proficiency in air, surface, and subsurface anti-submarine warfare skills.
“These operations provide real-world opportunities to advance modern submarine warfare and promote an unparalleled understanding of the undersea environment. Training with other submarines tests the limits and ingenuity of our crews to perform at the highest level,” the US 6th Fleet said.
