ITS Garibaldi, currently performing a separate training programme in the vicinity of the Sicilian coast, and SNMG2, currently performing maritime surveillance in the Ionian Sea, organized an encounter at sea to practice NATO drills and air defence operations.
In the scenario, the opposing force was played by two AV-8Bs of the Italian Navy, detached from the Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. Both aircrafts performed several attacks on the naval forces, simulating either missile profiles or bombers.
“Thank you to the Italian Navy for the opportunity to practice our air defence skills in a challenging scenario and improve our interoperability between the Allied navies,” said Commander of SNMG2, Rear Admiral Manuel Aguirre Aldereguia of the Spanish Navy.
Thank you to the Italian Navy for the opportunity to practice our air defence skills in a challenging scenario and improve our interoperability between the Allied navies
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Previously to this exercise, SNMG2 carried out an intense training with the Hellenic Navy, and before that, participated in a Turkish exercise Mavi Balina ‘20.
SNMG2 is one of four standing forces that comprise the maritime component of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), which is part of the NATO Response Force (NRF). To respond to contingency situations additional forces can be added to these groups, with the NATO command staff onboard and the ships of the group as the nucleus, capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.