Home  /  Media Centre  /  News  /  2023  /  Italian Navy Commander of NATO Task Group thanks Italian, Greek and Spanish crews under his command

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA – The commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), Italian Navy Rear Admiral Pasquale Esposito, has paid a visit to the ships serving in his group. From the Italian flagship ITS Bergamini, he boarded Spanish frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez and Greek frigate HS Nikiforos Fokas.   

Having recently assumed command of the Task Group, Rear Admiral Esposito visited the ships at sea and met the men and women who make up the crews. He brought them his personal thanks for the deep commitment and extreme professionalism they demonstrate every day as they carry out their duties.

The ships are sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, providing deterrence and defence to Allied nations on a daily basis. They also contribute significantly to the allied maritime situational awareness (MSA) picture, while maintaining and improving operational skills and readiness. The ships working together demonstrate the interoperability of assets and systems of allied nations.

The Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), Italian Navy Rear Admiral Pasquale Esposito received on board by the crew of the Spanish frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez during his tour to meet with all the units serving under his command.

The visits also allowed Esposito to share his operational vision with the ships’ commanding officers, while strengthening the links between allies and deepening relationships between the navies.

SNMG2 is one of four Standing Naval 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 this group, with the NATO command staff on board the Flagship capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.