Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) units have entered the Black Sea for the third time this year to conduct further routine operations, and conduct a port visit to Batumi, Georgia.
According to NATO here, SNMCMG2, consists of Spanish flagship ESPS Rayo, Italian ship ITS Viareggio, and Turkish ship TCG Edincik. Romanian ship ROS Lt. Lupu Dinescu and Bulgarian ship BGS Shkval will join the group after they enter the Black Sea.
According to a statement:
“The third SNMCMG2 Black Sea deployment constitutes an important opportunity for interoperability and readiness enhancement with our Allies and partners. The deployment will include the port visits to Batumi, Georgia, after which there will be an exercise with the Georgian Coast Guard. The deployment will include a port visit to Samsun, Turkey.”
U.S. Air Force Major General Phillip A. Stewart, Deputy Chief of Staff Strategic Employment Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, was quoted as saying:
“NATO operates across the breadth and depth of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility—day-in and day-out. These activities are consistent with our shared values and keep with international law—our activities in the Black Sea are no different. The three Allied and two partner Nations participating in this joint exercise strengthen NATO’s awareness and demonstrates our ability to secure the sovereign terrain of our great Alliance.
Maritime patrols enhance interoperability between Allies and Partners. This activity demonstrates NATO’s commitment to Black Sea security and the capacity to uphold freedom of navigation within international waters.”
IM surprised they haven’t renamed the Black sea yet, everything else with black in the names being renamed for some stupid reason!
Aaagh. This post will look pretty daft if my original isn’t there (seems to have disappeared). I must try harder to type “harder” correctly. Ffs
🎣🎣🎣🎣 3/10 must try harder. Yay i found the edit button
Erm, okay, moving on…
I guess British MCMVs are in a different Group? I wonder what they are doing right now?
Only one NATO country in the black sea matters the most and that is Turkey! Which is being pushed more and more by the US towards Russia and China ! The US supported by France keep irritating the Turks the most which has been a loyal NATO member for over 50 years. Britain has a warm relationship with Turkey interestingly , it has during the pandemic shipped vital supplies to the UK and trade between the two nations is growing rapidly. Intelligence and defence cooperation is good too
How come Turky hit allies like cyprus good member in nato dont buy from rusia aswel