Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) arrived in the Black Sea recently after a four day port visit in Istanbul, Turkey to conduct the first NATO Group patrol in the Black Sea of 2019.
The group is conducting a routine patrol to enhance interoperability with Allied and Partner mariners in the Black Sea. As part of their patrol, the group will participate in exercise Poseidon, an annual mine countermeasures drill hosted by Romania and Bulgaria.
Three NATO nations border the Black Sea, and NATO regularly conducts exercises and operations in the Black Sea in order to maintain a credible and capable defensive capability.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO has increased its presence in the Black Sea. Patrols by NATO Maritime Groups increased in 2018 to three patrols for each group for a total of 120 days of NATO Group presence over the year, compared to two patrols for each group and a total of 80 days in 2017.
SNMCMG2 is led by Commander Martin Schwarz of the German Navy from his flagship German replenishment ship FGS Werra.
“The group is one of four standing NATO groups which are multinational, integrated maritime forces made up of vessels from allied countries. These vessels are under continuous NATO command to perform a wide range of tasks ranging from deterrent presence and situational awareness to exercises and the conduct of operational missions.
They demonstrate Alliance resolve and foster solidarity, as well as enhance the Alliance’s relations with Partner nations through visits and exchanges.”
According to a NATO release, the group also includes Turkish mine hunter TCG Akcakoca, Romanian minesweeper ROS Lt Lupu Dinescu and Bulgarian minehunter BGS Tsibar.
Does Nato pay for these standing maritime groups or does each participating nation fund their own ships supplies and fuel ect?. I can see In future Nato having their own ships and Nato multinational crews for Nato patrols ect, I’m sure nato has there own refuel planes now.
Is that an ex RN MCMV in the lead in that photo?
Looks like a Sandown?
Ex HMS Sandown herself now EML Admiral Cowan (M313) of Estonia, named after a British Admiral. He came up on UKDJ quite recently.
Oh! Thought so.
Thank you Tim.
So sad to see our assets sold off and used by others.