Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2), led by Capt. Yusuf Karagulle (Turkish Navy), has taken part in the Greece-led exercise Ariadne 21 between 27 March – 4 April 2021, in the vicinity of Patras, Greece. Ariadne aims to improve capabilities of units conducting mine countermeasures operations in a multi-threat environment thus also enhancing cooperation and interoperability among multi-national participants.
After the conclusion of the sea phase, the Group visited the port of Patras. As part of the exercise, pre-sail conferences and syndicate meetings were held with minimised participation in accordance with COVID-19 measures. During Ariadne 21, SNMCMG2 was represented by the Turkish flagship TCG Sokullu Mehmet Pasa and mine-hunters BGS Tsibar (Bulgaria), FS Orion (France), ITS Termoli (Italy), ESPS Tajo (Spain) and TCG Ayvalık (Turkey).
Ariadne-21, by all accounts, was beneficial for SNMCMG2 as a NATO Standing Force. Robust level of integration among ships, satisfying naval mine countermeasure results, intense training in imminent asymmetric threat as well as in seamanship training for ships were obtained. This exercise provided all units the opportunity to promote cooperation and mutual understanding,”, said the Commander of SNMCMG2, Captain Yusuf Karagulle.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) standing mine countermeasures Immediate Reaction Force. Its role is to provide NATO with an immediate operational response capability. SNMCMG2 is a component of the NATO Response Force (NRF). Operationally, SNMCMG2 reports to the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), which is one of the three component commands of Allied Command Operations.
