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Jul 3 2025

Belgium Hands Over Command of NATO Mine Countermeasures Group to Latvia

Zeebrugge, Belgium - Belgian Navy Commander Erik Kockx has formally handed over command of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) to Latvian Navy Commander Janis Auce in a ceremony held at Zeebrugge Naval Base, Belgium. Commodore Jeroen van Zanten (RNLN), Assistant Chief of Staff Operations of Allied Maritime Command, presided over the ceremony and offered his congratulations to the incoming and outgoing commanders.

It marks the conclusion of a successful six-month leadership for the Belgian Navy. SNMCMG1 maintained a high state of operational readiness throughout, delivering essential mine countermeasures capabilities and broader maritime security presence as part of NATO’s rapid reaction forces.

Commanding this multinational task group has been a deeply rewarding experience. Over the course of our deployment, we have worked closely together, overcoming challenges and strengthening cooperation at sea.

Since January, SNMCMG1 has played a vital role in “Baltic Sentry”, monitoring and protecting critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) and securing key maritime routes. The Group has also safely disposed of historic ordnance located in the Baltic Sea - efforts which are crucial to ensuring safe navigation, minimizing the risks posed by sea mines, and upholding freedom of the seas. SNMCMG1 continues to be a cornerstone of NATO’s collective defence and deterrence strategy across the Baltic and North Sea regions.

This handover ceremony marked the conclusion of a successful six-month leadership for the Belgian Navy.  Left: Commander Erik Kockx (Belgium Navy) handed over the command of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). Right: Commander Janis Auce (Latvian Navy) receives NATO flag from Commodore Jeroen van Zanten (Royal Netherlands Navy), Assistant Chief of Staff Operations of Allied Maritime Command, who presided over the ceremony.

In his farewell address, Commander Kockx reflected on the group’s achievements over the past six months and expressed gratitude to all personnel who contributed to the mission’s success.

“Commanding this multinational task group has been a deeply rewarding experience. Over the course of our deployment, we have worked closely together, overcoming challenges and strengthening cooperation at sea. As I pass command to Latvian Commander Auce, I do so with pride in our accomplishments and confidence in the group’s ongoing strength”.

During this deployment, thirteen units from seven Allied nations have sailed with SNMCMG1. Under the leadership of Commander Kockx, the group demonstrated its ability to operate effectively in complex, multi-dimensional exercises. The largest of these was BALTOPS 2025, a major multinational exercise involving over 40 ships, 25 aircraft, and more than 9,000 personnel from 16 NATO Allies and Partner countries.

Earlier in the year, the group also took part in Open Spirit, hosted by the Lithuanian Navy. Two historical sea mines were successfully located and neutralised, underscoring SNMCMG1’s expertise and dedication to maritime security.

In total, SNMCMG1 found 44 pieces of historic ordnance, successfully countermining 13, thereby enhancing the safety of the Baltic Sea.

The task group also conducted 21 port visits across nine Baltic states, raising public awareness for NATO’s role, and reinforcing the Alliance’s diplomatic outreach.

Looking ahead, SNMCMG1 will continue its vital mission under the command of Commander Janis Auce, with flagship LVNS Virsaitis. Commander Auce brings extensive international experience to this role, having participated in operations such as the counter-piracy operation Atlanta in 2014. He also served in the Baltic states Naval squadron BALTRON as principal Staff Officer in 2013 and held the position of squadron commander, COMBALTRON, twice, in 2015 and again in 2023.

During the handover ceremony, Commander Auce said today marks an important milestone for the Latvian Navy.

Taking command of SNMCMG1 reaffirms our professionalism and highlights the high interoperability of Allied naval forces

“Taking command of SNMCMG1 reaffirms our professionalism and highlights the high interoperability of Allied naval forces,” he said. “We are honoured to contribute to NATO’s collective security and remain committed to fulfilling our mission with dedication and resolve, especially given the current geopolitical challenges.”

SNMCMG1 is one of NATO’s four standing maritime task groups under the operational control of Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). These task groups form the core maritime capability of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) and provide a continuous maritime capability to execute NATO missions across the spectrum of operations, demonstrating solidarity and strengthening the bond and interoperability between Allied naval forces.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM

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