Spain has transferred command of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) to Denmark after a six-month deployment, according to a press release.
The Change of Command Ceremony, held on 11 July in Ferrol, saw Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Joaquin Ruiz Escagedo hand over command to Danish Navy Commodore Bo Overgaard.
Royal Navy Vice Admiral Mike Utley, Commander of Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), presided over the ceremony.
During the past six months, SNMG1 commanded 11 units from six Allied nations and led 25 units from ten Allied nations in major exercises, strengthening unity among diverse maritime forces. “I am incredibly proud of the teamwork displayed by all the crews that participated in the operational tasks and exercises carried out over the past six months,” said Rear Admiral Escagedo, quoted in the news release.
He noted that SNMG1 maintained a permanent presence in the region, visiting almost all Allied nations, including Sweden as a NATO member for the first time.
SNMG1 participated in six major exercises, including Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, the largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War. This exercise encompassed four major naval drills: MAREX, Dynamic Guard, Joint Warrior, and Nordic Response.
These exercises practised complex scenarios alongside NATO Allies and Partners, demonstrating high professionalism and commitment from all participating units, as mentioned in the press release.
Additionally, SNMG1 took part in Dynamic Mongoose 24, an annual anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Atlantic, and BALTOPS 24, a premier maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea Region.
“The significance of SNMG1 in safeguarding the maritime approaches of the Euro-Atlantic area cannot be overstated,” said Vice Admiral Mike Utley, quoted in the news release. “The missions we undertake are vital, ranging from countering illicit activities and monitoring critical undersea infrastructure, to demonstrating our collective resolve and readiness to defend our Allies from any threat.”
During its deployment, SNMG1 conducted thirty-nine port visits, receiving warm welcomes from public and military authorities, the media, and the general public. Notably, SNMG1 had the honour of being the first NATO force to visit Stockholm following Sweden’s accession to NATO.
With Denmark now taking over command, Commodore Overgaard expressed his commitment to the mission. “It is a great honour and privilege for me to assume command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1,” he said, quoted in the news release.
“We live in a world with many challenges and NATO is an essential actor to ensure safety and security for us all. As commander of SNMG1 in the coming months I will do my utmost to contribute to maintaining safety and security at sea – for the benefit of all.”
SNMG1 is one of NATO’s four standing naval forces, which provide security across the NATO area of responsibility. According to the press release, these forces are the core of NATO’s high-readiness maritime capabilities, ready to respond to any task at any time.
What is the sense of handing the command to Danes in trouble with their Iver Huitfeldt class where AAW capabilities are still not ready for combat that the command of a naval force needs to be done from land?