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NATO Maritime Group Visits Constanta

CONSTANTA, Romania – Ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) arrived in Constanta today for a scheduled port visit during the Group’s deployment to the Black Sea.

Led by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson (USA N), SNMG2 is currently comprised of the flagship USS Vicksburg (CG 69), HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337), TCG Turgutreis (F 241), FGS Spessart (A 1442), ITS Aliseo (F 574) and ROS Regina Maria (F 222).

SNMG2 is in the Black Sea as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the region to assure Allies of NATO’s commitment to collective defense.  During the deployment, SNMG2 ships are training with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish Navies.

During the port visit, SNMG2 leadership will meet with local Romanian authorities and Navy officials to discuss maritime issues, to include multinational exercises in the Black Sea.

SNMG2 Sailors will also have the opportunity to experience life in the surrounding area and participate in volunteer opportunities.

"For many of our Sailors, this is the first opportunity they will have to visit Constanta and to get a glimpse of Romania’s rich history and culture,” said Capt. Gennaro Carola (ITA), SNMG2 Chief of Staff. "They look forward to exploring the area, and more importantly, exercising at sea with their Allies from the Romanian Navy.”

Romania became a member of NATO Mar. 29, 2004, along with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia.

For more information about SNMG2, visit "Standing NATO Maritime Group 2” on Facebook