NAPLES, Italy – Capt. Adbulhamit Seber, Turkish navy, relieved Capt. Georgios Pelekanakis, Greek navy, as Commander of the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2, July 7.
The operational hand-over ceremony, held at Aksaz Naval Base, Turkey was presided over by Rear Adm. Jon Westbrook, Chief of Staff of Headquarters Maritime Command Naples, and attended by military authorities from the countries participating in the Force.
Under Pelekanakis, SNMCMG2 participated in numerous exercises and real operations across the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and conducted port visits in NATO and Mediterranean dialogue countries.
Of particular importance was Operation Inas Bahr, an out-of-area deployment around the Arabian Peninsula, with the aim of promoting practical military cooperation with countries of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, while demonstrating the ability of the force to operate at strategic distance for a sustained period, in unfamiliar waters with a challenging scenario.
“Under the command of Capt. Pelekanakis, this group of ships has achieved a great deal and covered significant distances”, said Westbrook. “Of huge and lasting importance has been the essential work carried out in the field of Partnership, within the framework of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, and exercising with Allied and partner ships.”
During the last year, SNMCMG2 has seen the participation of 19 ships from five contributing nations. The group sailed 15,000 nautical miles, training and operating as a single team. Thirty two port visits were conducted in 16 different countries, and SNMCMG2 took part in four operations, carrying out route surveys and surveillance surges, as well as eight exercises during his handover speech
Pelekanakis commended the excellent work carried out by the crews of all the participating units under his command and wished Sener even better results in the future. The following ships were present in Aksaz Naval Base for the operational hand over:
SNMCMG2 currently comprises:
HS Spetsai Frigate Greece (outgoing flagship)
TCG C.G. HASANPAŞA Support and Command Turkey (incoming flagship)
ESPS Sella Minehunter Spain
HS Kalypso Minehunter Greece
ITS Chioggia Minehunter Italy
TCG Enez Minehunter Turkey
| Date Taken: |
07.07.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
07.07.2011 11:43 |
| Story ID: |
73362 |
| Location: |
NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: |
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