Home / Media Centre / News / 2015 / SNMG2 ship TCG Turgutreis Sets Sail for the 1,000th Time
SNMG2 ship TCG Turgutreis Sets Sail for the 1,000th Time
TRIESTE, Italy – Turkish ship TCG TURGUTREIS (F 241) recently completed a routine port visit to Trieste as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2). However, her departure was much more than routine. As the ship slipped from the pier in Trieste Monday morning she celebrated a milestone in the ship’s history: her 1,000th sailing from port.
SNMG2 is currently led by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson (USA N), and is composed of the flagship USS VICKSBURG (CG 69), HMCS FREDERICTON (FFH 337), TCG TURGUTREIS (F 241), FGS SPESSART (A 1442), ITS ALISEO (F 574), ESPS PATINO (A 14), ESPS CANARIAS (F 86) and HS KOUNTOURIOTIS (F 462).
Williamson took the opportunity to join TURGUTREIS on this special occasion and addressed the crew over the ship’s PA system, "I know how much hard work and dedication goes into every sailing from port,” Williamson said to the crew. "I hope as you took in the lines this morning you also paused for a moment to reflect on this special day.”
Sailors aboard TURGUTREIS marked the occassion by taking a photo of the entire ship’s crew on the flight deck and hosting a banner declaring the 1,000th sailing, which the ship will display until the next port. TURGUTREIS is also flying signal flags on the mast which spell out "Sail, 1,000.”
TURGUTREIS, manned by a crew of nearly 200, is a multipurpose frigate, equipped to engage in multiple maritime warfare areas either as part of a force, or as a singular unit.
"We are very happy to celebrate our 1,000th sail and are glad to have the honor of Rear Admiral Brad Williamson aboard for the event, and celebrate our ship and the commitment of our crew to serve with dedication and honor,” said TURGUTREIS Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Hüseyin Temizel.
"It was very special to be aboard TURGUTREIS today,” said Williamson. "It is an honor I will carry with me always.”
SNMG2, currently underway in support of Operation Active Endeavour, is a multinational integrated force that projects a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion afloat. The Group provides the Alliance with a continuous maritime capability to perform a wide range of tasks, including exercises and real-world operations in periods of crisis and conflict.