Israel, U.S., Greece launch naval exercise

Israeli, Greek and American vessels are conducting a two-week Mediterranean naval exercise, the Israeli army said.

An Israel Defense Forces statement said the operation, named Noble Dina, was a scheduled annual exercise for its navy and is part of the security cooperation with foreign naval forces.

The joint maneuver from March 7 to 21 involves helicopters, ships and search-and-rescue boats from the three nations.

For several years, Israel and the U.S. carried out naval maneuvers with Turkey, but in September 2011 Ankara expelled Israel’s ambassador and suspended military cooperation with the Jewish state.

Israel’s relations with Greece in the meantime have been warming, with the two countries joining for naval and air exercises. — jta