NATO Warships Conduct Security Patrol In Eastern Mediterranean

Courtesy Photo | During this surge period, the warships hailed and exchanged information with 361 merchant and fishing vessels during the operation to demonstrate NATO’s presence and establish the pattern of life in the region. When appropriate NATO vessels will also send boarding parties to visit ships to check documentation and cargo manifests. (photo by SNMG2 Photographer)  

NAPLES, ITALY

11.21.2011

Story by David Taylor 

NATO Maritime Command Naples

NAPLES, Italy -- Four NATO warships -- Turkish frigate TCG Orucreis, German frigate FGS Schleswig-Holstein, Romanian frigate ROS Regina Maria and a French corvette and the Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver (in associated support) -- have conducted a security sweep throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. During this surge operation, Maritime patrol aircrafts have also rendered their support.

Operation Active Endeavour, for more than 10 years, has successfully deterred and disrupted any possible terrorist activity. The combined sea and air operation forms part of “OAE” which is designed to safeguard the waters of the Mediterranean.

The Task Group commander, Turkish navy Rear Adm. Sinan Azmi Tosun said, “Whilst NATO maintains a continuous watch throughout the Mediterranean with a supporting network and sophisticated technology, from time to time; we concentrate our efforts to a specific area for an unpredictable period to deter and disrupt any possible terrorist or illegal activity. However, we are very well aware of the fact that none of these military efforts are solely sufficient to eradicate all the illegal activities in the region. The interaction and trust-building with the maritime community and their resultant support is still the key to the success of this operation.”

In order to achieve this goal, at every opportunity, OAE and associated support units conduct information approaches to fishing vessels in order to deliver durable goods such as first aid kits, tool sets and drinking bottles. During these friendly visits, the fishing vessels are provided with information on how to contact NATO should the need arise. In parallel with this course of action, TCG Orucreis sent her boarding party to deliver OAE materials to an Egyptian fishing vessel.

• Date Taken: 11.21.2011
• Date Posted: 11.21.2011 09:11
• Story ID: 80322
• Location: NAPLES, IT