SNMCMG2 visit to La Valletta, Malta

Courtesy Photo | Standing NATO Mine Counter Measure Group 2 today began a visit to La Valletta, Malta. The port visit will last from 20 - 23 April and forms part of an extensive Program for the Group aimed at furthering and increasing cooperation and understanding between NATO and Malta.  

NAPLES, ITALY

04.20.2012

Story by Master Chief Petty Officer Giovanni Malafronte 

NATO Maritime Command Naples

NISIDA - NAPLES, Italy – Standing NATO Mine Counter Measure Group 2 today began a visit to La Valletta, Malta. The port visit will last from April 20-23 and forms part of an extensive program for the Group aimed at furthering and increasing cooperation and understanding between NATO and Malta.

The visit will allow NATO units to foster relationships with civilian and military authorities building further on the excellent relations already developed under NATO’s Partnership for Peace program. It also offers national authorities the opportunity to apprise themselves of SNMCMG2’s capabilities.

The Commander of SNMCMG2 is Capt. Abdulhamit Sener (Turkish navy) embarked on his flagship TGS S. MEHMETPASA. “This is an especially important visit to an important partner nation and all the crews are looking forward to the next three days. I am particularly looking forward to the final PASSEX as the Armed Forces of Malta Maritime Squadron have some very specialized skills and it will be truly a two-way learning process,” said Sener.

SNMCMG2 is presently comprised of mine hunters ships from Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

The SNMCMG2 ships visiting Malta are:

TCG S. MEHMETPASA Command & Control Ship Turkey (Flagship)
FGS Sulzaback Rosenberg Minehunter German
ITS Alghero Minehunter Italy
TCG Akcakoca Minehunter Turkey
ESP Turia Minehunter Spain
HMS Ledbury Minehunter United Kingdom

The Group is maintained at high-readiness and can deploy as required by the Alliance even at strategic distance. It is made up of ships from various Allied nations which train and operate together throughout the year and participate in numerous exercises conducted by the Alliance, as a mine-countermeasure force. The primary task is to defend sea routes from the underwater mine threat. As a secondary task the group collects important data on the marine environment and sea bottom, which contributes to scientific research.

The Partnership for Peace is a program of practical bilateral cooperation between individual Euro-Atlantic partner countries and NATO. It allows partners to build up an individual relationship with NATO, choosing their own priorities for cooperation.

More information can be found at http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_50349.htm

Point of contact for inquiries:
MC Naples Public Affairs Office: [phone]/6522
email: [e-mail]

Information about SNMCMG2 is available at the web page http://www.manp.nato.int/SNMCMG2/snmcmg2_index.html

More information about Operation Active Endeavour is available at the following web page: http://www.manp.nato.int/operations/ActiveEndeavour/operation-ae.html

Visit Maritime Command Naples at: www.manp.nato.int
Or on Facebook at “Maritime Command Naples”

• Date Taken: 04.20.2012
• Date Posted: 04.20.2012 07:50
• Story ID: 87031
• Location: NAPLES, IT