Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) and Standing Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) have been working together during their patrol in the Mediterranean Sea 4-14 June 2021. During this interaction, besides conducting routine operations and enhanced maritime presence in the area, units conducted a series of exercises to ensure high readiness and interoperability. After ten days of collaboration both forces split to proceed with their respective programmes in the south of NATO Alliance.
SNMG2, composed by ESPS Mendez Nuñez and HMS Kent and FS Somme as flagship of SNMCMG2, carried out a variety of exercises covering different warfare areas, including live firing, seamanship and communications drills, maritime interdiction training, among others. All of these were carried out along with patrol operations in associated support to NATO Operation Sea Guardian in Hurd Bank and the Central Mediterranean Sea.
“The opportunity for interaction between both forces provides an enhanced presence of NATO in the area and also contributes significantly to increased interoperability, cohesion and mutual understanding. It is also an outstanding opportunity to practice and exercise together in order to keep our high readiness at its maximum. It is an outstanding opportunity to practice and exercise together in order to keep our high readiness at its maximum”, said Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, Rear Admiral Manuel Aguirre.
SNMG2 and SNMCMG2 are two of the four standing forces that comprise the maritime component of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), which is part of the NATO Response Force (NRF). To respond to contingency situations, additional forces can be added to these groups, with the NATO command staff on board and the ships of the Group as the nucleus, capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.
