There is a frenzy at NATO level as the alliance prepares for what is being called a Russian "spring offensive" in Ukraine.
On March 8, the Defense Ministers' Summit is expected to discuss the needs that may arise from such a thing, as well as the stance that should be taken depending on the evolution of operations in the field.
What has been observed in recent hours is a series of material transfers and exercises both at the NATO level and between allied countries.
The culmination of these exercises is the NATO exercise "DYNAMIC MANTA 2023", in the east of Sicily
The GEETHA announcement specifically states: "From Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 10, 2023, the Armed Forces are participating in the Allied Exercise "DYNAMIC MANTA 2023", which is being held in the wider maritime area east of Sicily.
The "DYNAMIC MANTA 2023" Exercise is a LIVEX/ASW/ASUW (Live Exercise/Anti Submarine Warfare/Anti Surface Warfare) type, conducted by NATO on an annual basis with the aim of training the participating forces in complex operational scenarios and in a multi-threat environment with an emphasis on Anti-Submarine Warfare and Surface Warfare, to increase interoperability and strengthen the Alliance's deterrence capability.
The Armed Forces are participating in it with the Frigate (F/C) PSARA, which is part of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG 2), the Submarine (U/B) PIPINOS, Unorthodox Warfare Group ( OAP) of the Submarine Disaster Management (SDM), as well as with 1 Officer from the newly created Special Warfare Command (DEP) of the Greek Navy as a Special Operation Command and Control Element (SOCCE) on the F/G PSARA, for the coordination and control of the objects Special Operations (SOF Playbook).
In addition to the Greek Armed Forces, forces from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the USA, Spain, Italy, Canada and Turkey are participating, as well as SNMG 2 as a whole."
However, exercises also exist at the inter-alliance level and even in the Greek area.
Specifically, following a relevant request from the USA to Athens, two areas were blocked. One for an aerial refueling exercise of US Navy fighters west of the Dodecanese Islands, which was carried out using a British flying tanker that took off from Cyprus and the second east of Karpathos for an exercise of the Turkish Air Force with STRIKFORNATO and NAVEUR of the USA. In the context of this exercise, Turkish Air Force fighters reappeared and entered the Athens FIR without filing a flight plan
At the same time as regards the transport of materials, on Tuesday afternoon 4 C-130 transports of the US Air Force landed in Souda, while in the next few days a ship is expected to dock in the "Souda of the North", Alexandroupoli, which will unload American armored vehicles and tanks battle.
At the same time, in the last few hours, two fast troop transport vessels (catamaran) of the USA, namely CHOCTAW COUNTY and USNS TRENTON, the general support vessel (for resupplying aircraft carrier battle groups) USNS KANAWHA and a general support vessel of the German military have been "moored" in Souda in the last hours navy.
