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MEDITERRANEAN SEA – The Spanish Navy flagship, ESPS Tornado conducted focused security patrols in international waters of the western Mediterranean Sea as part of NATO's Operation Sea Guardian between 21 and 30 June 2021.

This focused patrol helped NATO understand the latest pattern of life in the area and enhance maritime situational awareness benefitting the collective effort of the flagship ship from Spain, a submarine from Portugal and aircrafts from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

During the port visit to Algiers, Commanding Officer of ESPS Tornado and his staff conducted courtesy calls. Following the port visit, ESPS Tornado conducted a passing exercise with Algerian Navy patrol boat MRA Rais Hassan Barbia. This engagement again helped NATO units and Algerian Navy enhance interoperability.

NATO is committed to working with partner nations, exploring new training opportunities to improve interoperability skills in the maritime domain and thus contributing to regional maritime security capacity building in the region.

Algeria has been a member of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue Programme since 2000 and Standing NATO Maritime Groups regularly visit Algiers to develop military dialogue and to improve mutual understanding and promote cooperation.

Operation Sea Guardian increases cooperation, partnership and capacity building offering greater flexibility and strength through unity both with Allies and Partners.