Ten years of Operation Active Endeavour

Photo By David Taylor | The first flagship of OAE was HMS Chathman and since then numerous surface and sub-surface assets have rotated through the Operation. Today the SNMG2 flagship, TCG Oruchreis along with FGS Schleswig Holstein is patrolling the Mediterranean Sea in support of OAE.  

NAPLES, ITALY

10.26.2011

Story by David Taylor 

NATO Maritime Command Naples

NAPLES, Italy - "On Oct. 26 2001 - ten years ago today - Operation Active Endeavour was formally activated. It was a clear and solid demonstration of NATO’s resolve and solidarity against terrorism, said Vice Adm. Rinaldo VERI, commander Allied Maritime Command Naples and Commander OAE. “The operation has come a long way and evolved enormously over the years but resolve and solidarity are still at the heart of mission.”

The activation followed the Sept. 12 implementation of Article 5 of the Washington Treaty following the 11 September Terrorist attacks against the United States. For the first time in NATO's history, Alliance assets were deployed in support of Article 5 operations. NATO contributed Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft to the United States and also deployed elements of its Standing Naval Forces to the Eastern Mediterranean. AWACS provided air surveillance and early warning capability by transmitting data to command and control centers on land, sea and in the air. The Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, which was participating in Exercise Destined Glory 2001 off the southern coast of Spain, was re-assigned in order to provide an immediate NATO military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

There have been significant milestones in the development of OAE. These include the April 23, 2003, decision to begin boarding operations following a NAC decision to enhance the effectiveness of naval operations against suspected terrorist activities in the Mediterranean. The boarding operations are conducted in accordance with the rules of international law and are of a compliant nature.

On March 16, 2004, NATO announced the extension of the Area of Operations to the whole Mediterranean and that EAPC/PfP Partners, Mediterranean Dialogue countries and other selected nations would be asked to support OAE.

Furthermore at the NATO Summit in Istanbul, June 28, 2004, the Alliance decided to enhance

Operation Active Endeavour, including through the contributory support of partner countries, including the Mediterranean Dialogue countries. All such offers of support, including by other interested countries, are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The first flagship of OAE was HMS Chathman and since then numerous surface and sub-surface assets have rotated through the Operation. (HMS Chatham was flagship of STANAVFORMED which then also comprised FGS Bayern, frigate, Germany; HS Formion, destroyer, Greece; ITS Aliseo, frigate, Italy; HNLMS Van Nes, frigate, The Netherlands; SPS Santa Maria, frigate, Spain; TCG Giresun, frigate, Turkey; USS Elrod, frigate, U.S.)

Today the SNMG2 flagship, TCG ORUCREIS along with FGS SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN is patrolling the Mediterranean Sea in support of OAE.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2011
• Date Posted: 10.26.2011 09:22
• Story ID: 79029
• Location: NAPLES, IT