HMS Cattistock has sailed to join the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) as part of a three month deployment to the Baltic Sea.
The Royal Navy say that the purpose of SNMCMG1 is to ‘ensure that all NATO units are continuously worked up and ready for operations in peacetime, periods of crisis and conflicts, as well as to ensure that the partnerships between NATO countries remains strong.’
Lieutenant Commander Charlie Wheen, Commanding Officer of HMS Cattistock said:
“The Ship’s Company have worked incredibly hard to ready themselves and the ship for operations, and this is particularly noteworthy given that most of us were on operations in the Middle East just a few months ago.
In the intervening period, the ship has not just been committed to the necessary maintenance and training to prepare for this NATO deployment, but also involved in national tasking around the UK, including the safe disposal of a WWII bomb that was found in dangerous proximity to a major gas pipeline in the North Sea. Of course, none of what we do would be possible without the support and sacrifice of our families and friends, and it is important to acknowledge their vital contribution here.”
During her deployment HMS Cattistock will take part in a series of multinational exercises and operations alongside their NATO partners, including Force Integration Training and Historical Ordnance Disposal according to the Royal Navy in a release.
I think it’s quite unusual to have an RN ship with SNMCMG1, but I could be wrong. Perhaps it’s a sign of a bit of stepping up in Baltic operations, and some (like me) would say, about time. I am aware of course that the RN contributes to NATO In other ways!
Oops, too many letters, I might be thinking more of SNMG1 😮
They have visited several times from memory.