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ENGLISH CHANNEL – Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) conducted historical ordnance disposal operations off the coast of Dieppe, France, Aug. 16 to 24.

The operation successfully removed 13 pieces of historical ordnance, reducing risk of mine encounters in the water and making the area safer for all mariners.

During World War II, the English Channel, also known as La Manche, was an area of numerous naval mining and coastal operations. Many of these historical ordnances remain in the area and may pose a risk to the environment, and military, commercial, and leisure activities.

Besides making the La Manche a safer place from historic ordnance, SNMCMG1 gained the benefit of training and knowledge from French historical ordnance disposal operations. When our teams collaborate and we get to share and learn from our combined resources, it enhances all of our skills and makes future operations, like ordnance disposal, safer and more effectual.

SNMCMG1 undertook the operation with flagship FGS Mosel (Germany), HMCS Kingston (Canada), HMCS Summerside (Canada), LNS Kursis (Lithuania), HMS Hurworth (Great Britain), and FS L'Aigle (France). The operation also included members of the U.S. Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 under Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 deployed aboard Mosel.

The operation commenced on Aug. 16 with a conference at sea, during which representatives from the French Navy coordinated with SNMCMG1 to determine roles and responsibilities within the area of operations. SNMCMG1's diverse composition provided the group a broad range of technical capabilities to locate, identify and destroy historical ordnances.

The assortment of methods and equipment also gave planners an opportunity to combine and test multiple combinations to ensure ordnance approaches were the safest and most efficient.

"Besides making the La Manche a safer place from historic ordnance, SNMCMG1 gained the benefit of training and knowledge from French historical ordnance disposal operations," Commander, SNMCMG1 Estonian Navy Commander Ott Laanemets said. "When our teams collaborate and we get to share and learn from our combined resources, it enhances all of our skills and makes future operations, like ordnance disposal, safer and more effectual."

SNMCMG1 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom.