NATO Group Conducts Exercise with Norwegian Navy Ahead of Defence Against Terrorism Mission

The Standing NATO Maritime Group 1(SNMG1) last week completed a Joint Maritime Exercise with the Royal Norwegian Navy in the Fjords around Bergen.

Exercise Dynamic Guard commenced with a Pre-sail Conference at Haakonsvern Naval Base for all participating units. SNMG1 together with the Norwegian participating units then departed to conduct the exercise in the area around Bjǿrnafjord and Hardangerfjord. The 7-day exercise facilitated realistic training with regard to surface, air and electronic warfare environments and it will be of enormous benefit with regard to future operations during the deployment of the Standing NATO Maritime Group.

 

 

The exercise provided some challenging training opportunities for the units taking part and allowed the embarked international staff to integrate and prepare for future operations in support of NATOs continuing commitment to Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR.

On completion of the exercise, RAdm von Maltzan Commander SNMG1 stated, "this has been an excellent opportunity to test ourselves in the kind of situations we are likely to encounter in the next few months. After all the logistical and operational preparations, my team have shown that they are ready for our operational deployment in the Mediterranean.” He continued, "I want to thank our Norwegian colleagues for their cooperation and for an exercise that truly pushed us in every aspect of our work.”

 

One of the first tasks for the new Commander of SNMG1, Rear Admiral Georg von Maltzan, will be to command the group in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the eastern Mediterranean, NATO’s maritime defence against terrorism mission. Embarked onboard the Flagship FGS HESSEN, he is supported by an International Staff from the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Canada, USA and Norway. 

 

 

The Anti-Air Warfare Frigate FGS Hessen, a German 124 class, is the flagship for the international Staff led by the German Commander SNMG 1, Rear Admiral Georg von Maltzan. The main emphasis for the international staff is to train and prepare the force for Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and for future tasking as the NATO Response Force.

Within the SNMG 1 Task Group there are many capabilities - necessary in order to be prepared for tasking as the NATO Response Force. FGS Hessen is equipped with two Sea Lynx MK 88A helicopters and a mobile protection element of 8 Marines. Together with the Auxiliary Support Ship FGS Spessart, the task Group has an increased endurance at sea – a big advantage when operating far away from base support.

SNMG 1 is a multinational integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force and operates under the Maritime Command in Northwood, UK. The force is permanently activated and held at high readiness. The mobility and the flexible nature of the force allows the NATO Alliance to respond to today's security challenges.