Ariadne is an annual mine countermeasures exercise that aims to improve capabilities of units conducting mine countermeasures operations in a multi-treat environment, enhancing cooperation and interoperability among participants.
There was a robust level of integration between ships and together we achieved successful results in mine countermeasures operations. This exercise was a good opportunity to promote interoperability and mutual understanding among the NATO units and to maintain the high readiness level of SNMCMG2.
The exercise began in Souda with the harbour phase from March 6-8 and progressed to the sea phase from March 9-16. Participants conducted a series of mine countermeasures tasks in asymmetric threat environment based on fictitious scenarios. 
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) participated Greek-hosted exercise Ariadne 23 from March 6 to 17 off the north coast of Crete, Greece.
“Ariadne 23 was beneficial for SNMCMG2 as a NATO Standing Force,” said Commander, SNMCMG2, Turkish Navy Captain Ahmet Serhat Akyazi. “There was a robust level of integration between ships and together we achieved successful results in mine countermeasures operations. This exercise was a good opportunity to promote interoperability and mutual understanding among the NATO units and to maintain the high readiness level of SNMCMG2.”
During Ariadne 23, SNMCMG2 was represented by the Turkish flagship TCG Yuzbasi Gungor Durmus and mine hunters ITS Numana (Italy), HNLMS Makkum (Netherlands), ESPS Tajo (Spain) and TCG Enez (Türkiye).
SNMCMG2 operates under Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom. MARCOM is the central command of all NATO maritime forces and the MARCOM commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance.