Aug 26 2021

STANDING NATO MINE COUNTERMEASURES GROUP TWO VISITED MALTA

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG-2) visited La Valletta, Malta from 20th of August to 23th of August 2021 and conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with Maltese Armed Forces units in the vicinity of La Valletta.

During the port visit in La Valetta, COMSNMCMG2 Javier Núñez de Prado paid a courtesy call to the Maritime Squadron, under strict COVID-19 prevention measures. He was welcomed by the Commanding Officer Etienne Scicluna.

Workshops were provided to Maltese Navy by SNMCMG2 staff and ESPS Rayo's crew. At the end of the visit, there was an exchange of representational gifts, and a Pre-Sail Conference was held in the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) facilities.

Following ashore activities on 23rd of August, SNMCMG2 units and Maltese Navy patrol vessel P-62 departed from La Valletta and executed a serialized schedule of exercises. The training included a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) exercise involving a helicopter from AFM. _nato4

SNMCMG2 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 on board and the ships of the Group as the nucleus, capable of providing timely support to NATO operations. SNMCMG2 is currently composed by ESPS Rayo (Flag Ship), ITS Alghero and TCG Alanya. Malta is a strategic partner for NATO; due to its geographical situation, support in MSA (Maritime Situational Awareness) is invaluable to maritime security in the Central Mediterranean Sea.

Photo credit: Armed Forces of Malta

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM

Explore MARCOM

Recent news

SNMG2 transfers Flagship in ROTA

NATO Maritime Task Group Exercises at Sea with Egyptian Navy

Standing NATO Maritime Group Two Commander Meets with Allied Carrier Strike Group Commanders At Sea

Most visited

Search our content:

Find us on

Quicklinks

NATO Headquarters Brussels (NATO HQ)

Allied Command Transformation (ACT)

International Military Staff (IMS)

Address

HQ Allied Maritime Command
MARCOM Records Centre
Information Management Branch
Northwood HQ, Atlantic Building
Sandy Lane, Northwood HA6 3HP
United Kingdom

Email

recordscentre@mc.nato.int

Media Operations

Public Affairs Office
Atlantic Building, Northwood HQ
publicaffairs@mc.nato.int