At sea – Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE (SNMG1), under the command of Rear Admiral Jose Enrique Delgado, ESP N, continues with the group’s deployment to the North and Baltic Seas following the Group´s participation in UK-led bi-annual joint multinational exercise JOINT WARRIOR 161 (JW 161),​​​​​​​​ in Scotland. The exercise took place in the past weeks with the participation of approximately 3150 personnel and 30 naval units from 15 nations. ​

JW 161 proved the warfighting capabilities of SNMG1 through a range of realistic scenarios, including political and military crisis and conflict, in a joint, simulated multi-threat environment. Skills were tested at every level, from the command group to the unit, while strengthening interoperability across the maritime, air and land environments. Participants trained on a variety of competencies, including anti-air, antisubmarine and anti-surface warfare, maritime security operations, cyber-defence and media engagement.

SNMG1 participated in JW 161 in a command role, demonstrating the Group´s proficiency already achieved by continuous at sea operations and multinational training exercises.

Rear Admiral Delgado commanded one of the maritime task groups in the exercise, comprised of the following units: SNMG1 flagship, the Spanish F100 class frigate ESPS ALVARO de BAZAN (F101), the UK Type 23 Frigate HMS IRON DUKE (F234), the Danish Iver Huitfeldt Class Frigate HDMS PETER WILLEMOES (F362), German Type 212A submarine U-34 and the UK logistic ship RFA WAVE RULER.

"JW 161 demanding multi-threat environment allowed our Task Group to prove Standing NATO Naval Forces warfighting capabilities within the framework of a multinational joint force structure,” said Rear Admiral Delgado. "SNMG1 performance in JW 161 demonstrates NATO ability to collective defence its members and contribute to international stability and security.”