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LA VALLETTA, Malta - Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG 2) conducted a scheduled port visit to La Valletta from April 1-3.

The ships replenished supplies during the visit and personnel took the opportunity to meet with local key leaders in the partner nation. Maltese Maritime Squadron patrol boats escorted SNMCMG 2 units as they entered Valetta Harbour signalling a warm welcome.

Commander, SNMCMG2 Turkish Navy Captain Ahmet Serhat Akyazi, along with his chief of staff and the ships’ commanding officers, paid a courtesy call to the Commander of Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Brigadier Clinton J O’Neill. They discussed maritime operations and ways to further the relationship between Malta and NATO.

Representatives from the AFM, the Civil Protection Department Malta, and the ambassadors to NATO nations attended a reception hosted aboard SNMCMG2 flagship Turkish Navy TCG Yzb. Gungor Durmus.

Our Group’s visit to Malta is very significant and I believe that this visit is a good opportunity to enhance the cooperation and partnership between NATO and Malta

“It is a great honor and privilege for me to conduct a port visit to La Valetta as the commander of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two,” Akyazi said. “Our Group’s visit to Malta is very significant and I believe that this visit is a good opportunity to enhance the cooperation and partnership between NATO and Malta.”

SNMCMG2 units entering Valetta Harbour while escorted by the Maltese Maritime Squadron patrol in a gesture of a warm welcome

SNMCMG2 is one of the four Standing Maritime Groups led by MARCOM. These groups are multinational, integrated forces made up of vessels from various allied countries. Primary role of SNMCMG2 is to provide NATO with a continuous mine countermeasures capability for operations and other activities as required. The group regularly train and operate with Allies and Partners to increase interoperability and maintain very high readiness to fulfil its role as part of the NATO Response Force. SNMCMG2 regularly conducts port visits in Allied and non-NATO ports to underline NATO’s cohesion as well as to build bridges and foster relationships with Partner nations.