DENİZKURDU-I/2024 Exercise Distinguished Observer Day Held in the Mediterranean

During the first phase of the exercise, from January 7-9, 2024, "Basic Naval Training" and "Live Fire Drills" were conducted, and Port Visits and Logistic Integrations were carried out by 45 ships from January 10-12, 2024. The press day of the exercise took place off the coast of Aksaz.

As part of the 2024 operational training activities of the Naval Forces Command, the DENİZKURDU-I/2024 Exercise involve anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), mine countermeasure operations, anti-aircraft warfare (AAW), electronic warfare (EW), maritime surveillance (MARSUR), amphibious, and submarine rescue operations. The live firing phase of the exercise include radar-guided surface-to-surface missile against a surface target, anti-aircraft fire against an aerial gunnery target towed by a target tug aircraft, ground bombardment, as well as TEMREN and MAM-L guided munitions.

A total of 110 surface vessels, 7 submarines, 34 aircraft, 22 helicopters (S-70, AB-212, AH-1W), and 22 unmanned aerial vehicles (ANKA-S, Bayraktar TB2, Aksungur) are participating in the exercise, including Utility & Assault & Heavy-lift Helicopters from the Land Forces Command, 102 Surface Vessels, 7 Submarines, 49 Aircraft, Amphibious Marine Corps Units, 5 Underwater Assault Teams (SAT), 5 Underwater Defense Teams (SAS), and Coastal Units from the Naval Forces Command, as well as reconnaissance/control, fighter, and target tug aircraft from the Air Force Command, coastal security boats from the Coast Guard Command. Approximately 17,000 personnel, including those from public institutions, are participating in the exercise.

During the morning phase of the Distinguished Observer Day, mine countermeasure operations, amphibious operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare—encompassing basic naval operation types and navigation/maritime practices—were carried out. As the initial activity within the mine countermeasure operations, TCG Akçay mine-hunting vessel and the underwater defense team aboard the SH-70 Seahawk helicopter executed a tactical mine clearance operation scenario to protect a high-value unit against the mine threat. The identified mine was neutralized through this tactical operation. Subsequently, as part of amphibious operations, the landing operation toward the target island was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, threats to amphibious operations were neutralized by assault helicopters and underwater assault team (SAT) boats. As part of the airborne infiltration operation, the SAT teams made a parachute landing on the target island. In the second stage of the initial entry operation, amphibious assault teams and marines were transported to the landing beach by air and sea, coordinating with SAT commandos, resulting in the successful seizure of the target island. Following the amphibious operation, a SeaHawk ASW helicopter used a dipping sonar to locate a hostile submarine as part of anti-submarine warfare, and then the contact's information was transferred via sonobuoys deployed by the Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Aksungur UAV to assess the threat level. One Rextorp training torpedo was launched by the Maritime Patrol Aircraft at the target. The anti-submarine warfare scenario was completed with the forced surfacing of the hostile submarine, simulated by the TCG Doğanay, in the starboard direction of the TCG Salihreis Frigate. In the final activity of the morning phase, close maneuvers were executed between TCG Salihreis and Ada-class corvettes, involving underway replenishment.

As the first activity of the afternoon phase, TEMREN Air-to-Surface Guided Missile was fired from an SH-70 SeaHawk helicopter; then a simulated target vessel was destroyed by four Kılıç-II Class Fast Attack Crafts with simultaneous surface fire. Subsequently, two AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters engaged the same target with their 20mm cannons. The press activities of the DENİZKURDU-I/2024 exercise concluded with the parade of underwater, surface, and aerial elements