Israel-Greece-U.S. 'Noble Dina' replaces exercise held with Turkey

http://www.geostrategy-direct.com/geostrategy-direct/secure/2013/03_20/me.asp

 

Israel-Greece-U.S. 'Noble Dina' replaces exercise held with Turkey

TEL AVIV — Greece, Israel and the United States have staged a naval exercise.

The three countries were conducting the Noble Dina exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. The annual exercise, introduced in 2011, focused on maritime evacuations, search-and-rescue as well as interoperability among the three navies.

"Noble Dina, one of the Navy's scheduled annual exercises, is part of the security cooperation between the Israeli navy and foreign naval forces," the Israel military said.

The exercise began on March 7 and was scheduled to end on March 21. Officials said Noble Dina was organized after Turkey, following a decade of cooperation, refused to participate in military exercises with Israel.

Noble Dina reflected heighted cooperation between Greece and Israel. The two countries signed a defense cooperation accord in 2012 that envisioned exercises and industrial projects. Israel has also conducted naval exercises with other such NATO allies, including Canada and Italy.