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MEDITERRANEAN SEA – Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) joined the Spanish Navy's major annual mine warfare exercise, SPANISH MINEX-22, in Balearic Islands, Spain, April 25 to May 6.

Under the command of Spanish Navy Captain Javier Nuñez de Prado, SNMCMG2 comprises ESPS Meteoro (Flagships) and four mine countermeasures vessels: FGS Bad Rappenau (Germany), ITS Numana (Italy) HS Evropi (Greece) and FS Capricorne (France), has participated in the ESP MINEX-22 exercise. ESPS Duero also provided associated support to the group during the exercise.   

SPANISH MINEX-22 included evolving and realistic maritime scenarios aimed at reducing the risk posed by naval mines under asymmetric threat. It started in Minorca, Spain, with a tactical transit to Palma Bay, improving SNMCMG2's ability to hunt mines in a very challenging scenario. 

The flagship, minehunters and staff demonstrated a high level of professionalism, showing their ability and capability to plan and execute mine countermeasures operations effectively, and countermining 24 mines during the exercise.

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.