Last week, two ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) passed through the Suez Canal en route to taking command of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD.
SNMG2 flagship ESPS ALVARO DE BAZAN and Turkish frigate TCG GELIBOLU will soon join the Ukraine frigate UPS HETMAN SAGAIDACHNY to form NATO counter-piracy task force 508 (CTF-508). SAGAIDACHNY is already part of CTF-508 under the command of SNMG1 flagship HNoMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN.
This period of transition follows six months of support by SNMG2 to NATO counter-terrorism Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the Mediterranean, as well as multinational exercises BRILLIANT MARINER 2013, DOGU AKDENIZ 2013, and BREEZE 2013.
“ We are really proud of facing the two most challenging threats to the maritime environment: terrorism and piracy, ” said Commander SNMG2 Rear Adm. Eugenio Diaz Del Rio.
SNMG2 Mediterranean deployment statistics:
• 16 fuel replenishment at sea with 6 different oilers
• 18 anti-submarine exercises with 4 different submarines
• 50+ surface warfare exercises
• 20+ anti-air warfare exercises
• 40+ manoeuvring exercises
• 18 port visits in 9 countries, strengthening relationships with Navies and local governments
• 6 Spanish Ambassador visits
• Visits by SACEUR and COM MARCOM
• Engagements with 4 Chiefs of Navy
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NATO, December 9, 2013