NATO’s maritime search and rescue exercise, Dynamic Mercy, involving NATO’s search and rescue facilities and units, and Partnership for Peace countries, kicked off in the Norwegian Sea on April 19. The exercise, led by Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, is designed to evaluate and improve search and rescue collaboration procedures with neighboring countries (NATO and non-NATO) and to verify communication between Rescue Coordination Centres.
The exercise provides an opportunity to practice and develop inter-regional and cross-boundary cooperation and coordination between the Rescue Coordination Centres of Allies in NATO’s Northern region and between partner nations that have common Search and Rescue Region (SRR) boundaries with those of Allies. This year’s iteration will be conducted in three separate areas – Atlantic North, Atlantic Middle, and Atlantic South, and is scheduled to conclude May 17.
Quick Facts:
Exercise Dynamic Mercy is held annually, either in the Atlantic or the Baltic Region.
This year’s exercise is in the Atlantic, involving three Search and Rescue Centres as well as units and personnel from 10 NATO/partner nations.
Participating nations: Belgium, Denmark, Faroe Islands, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Units and personnel from Belgium, Denmark, Faroe Islands, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, and the United States will train together in accordance with standards and procedures described in the international Search and Rescue Manual, IAMSAR. While the search and rescue services of participating nations are structured and organized differently, they are all identically motivated by the desire to save lives, a core value of MARCOM.