NISIDA, Naples – Three of the four ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 today dropped anchor briefly in front of Headquarters Maritime Command Naples prior to sailing to carry out surge operations in support of Operation Active Endeavour.
SNMG1 Flagship HNLMS de Ruyter, HMCS Charlottetown and FGS Rheinland-Pfalz spent two hours against the backdrop of the Isle of Nisida while high ranking officers from both Maritime Command Naples and Joint Force Command Naples paid visits aboard for operational updates.
SNMG1 paid a port visit to Naples beginning Feb. 24, which allowed refurbishment and final planning for the coming surge operations – one of the irregular periods in which NATO selects an area of the Mediterranean and sends surface ships supported by sub-surface and maritime air assets to help deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorism.
These surge operations form part of a wider networked operation carried out year round to identify and track suspect activities in this crucial shipping area and deny terrorists the ability to maneuver.
