Turkish Navy displays strength in Eastern Mediterranean exercise

The Turkish Naval Forces hosted the 'Distinguished Observer Day' activities as part of the Eastern Mediterranean 2025 Invitation Exercise. Chief of the Naval Forces Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, alongside participants, observers, and journalists, observed the activities from the TCG Kemalreis frigate. The exercise included participation from Azerbaijan with a shipboard landing force, a US counter-terrorism security team, and a Pakistani maritime patrol aircraft, while 19 countries participated as observers. The Turkish Naval Forces contributed ships, submarines, air assets, SAT and SAS teams, five helicopters from the Land Forces Command, 44 F-16 aircraft from the Air Force Command, and four coast guard boats from the Coast Guard Command. An amphibious assault took place at Sarısu Beach in Antalya, with operations scripted to rescue hostages and involve launching vehicles from the TCG Sancaktar's dock deck. Troops reached the shore using boats, LCMs, and ZAHA vehicles and safely defused improvised explosive devices, rescuing hostages. A simulated casualty was airlifted to TCG Sancaktar during the exercise. Turkish and Azerbaijani military units saluted Admiral Tatlıoğlu from the TCG Sancaktar, displaying their national flags. Material transfers were conducted between TCG Heybeliada, TCG Büyükada, and TCG Kemalreis. Admiral Tatlıoğlu noted the exercise, held from November 22 to December 3, involved 30 ships, 67 aircraft, sub-attack and sub-defense units, and an amphibious marine battalion, with participation from NATO Standing Naval Forces and NATO Mine Countermeasures Groups. Supervised by a 103-person control center, the exercise covered operations like crisis response, multi-threat environment maneuvers, and humanitarian missions. Successful deployment of drones, armored amphibious assault vehicles, and kamikaze unmanned sea vehicles were showcased, with training on swarm attacks against hostile forces. Admiral Tatlıoğlu emphasized the historical and strategic significance of the Eastern Mediterranean for security, energy routes, and transportation, highlighting that ensuring a safe environment in this region is crucial for national security. He noted the exercise demonstrated the Turkish Naval Forces' capability to protect national interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, serving as a pillar for peace and stability.