The ceremony took place aboard the Norwegian Flagship His Norwegian Majesty’s Ship (HNoMS) Maud (A530), home of the SNMG1 staff for the past 5 months.
Under Danish command both Commodores Bo Overgaard, Deputy Commander of the Royal Danish Navy, and Thomas Stig Rasmussen, Commander of 2nd Squadron frigates, have been in command of SNMG1. The latter forwarded the SNMG1 pennant to the Netherlands, which now has command over the group.
Handing over command, Commodore Rasmussen said the Maud has been an excellent platform for the whole staff.
I have been able to execute my mission effectively from a capable Flagship. The crew of HNoMS Maud has been very flexible. I am very grateful that Norway has been able to provide this unit. MAUD did not only work as the Flagship, it was also a critical force multiplier with her unique capabilities scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
Several Allied nations contributed to the SNMG1 mission while the Royal Danish Navy was in command. The Netherlands’ HNLMS Van Amstel (F831), Belgium’s BNS Louise-Marie (F931) and Portugal’s DOM Francisco de Almeida, Germany’s FGS Rhoen (A 1443), the Netherlands HNLMS De Ruyter (F804), France’s FS Commandante Blaison and FS Auvergne and Great Britain’s HMS Iron Duke all sailed under SNMG1 during the Danish command.
Denmark hands over command of SNMG1 to The Netherlands on board HNoMS Maud
While patrolling the northern Atlantic and the Baltic Sea regions, SNMG1 participated in several exercises including ASW Playbook Activity Merlin and Exercise Freezing Winds 24. SNMG1 practised highly advanced anti-submarine operations, communication integration and advanced littoral operations with NATO’s newest Allied navies in Sweden and Finland. This training enhanced interoperability and cohesion and reassumed Allies throughout the region.
The Group also took part in Exercise Strike Warrior near the British Isles. This exercise demonstrated NATOs capability to operate complex, maritime operations from the Mediterranean Sea to the Northern Atlantic. SNMG1 concurrently supported U.S. Carrier Strike Group 8 while maintaining its operational mission as a refuelling asset.
“The SNMG1 concept is unique. We are able to deliver high-level effects in one area and at the same time be flexible enough to deliver support to units who need it in a completely different scenario. Exercise Strike Warrior proved this very well. The capabilities that are accumulated within this group are significant,” Commodore Rasmussen said.
Personnel from Germany, Poland, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are represented by staff officers in the SNMG1 staff, along with staff members from Norway and Denmark. Earlier on in the deployment, Swedish personnel also joined the SNMG1 team, further developing the integration of NATO’s newest allies in the Standing Naval Forces.
“It has been a pleasure to serve alongside these men and women from such a wide variety of nations,” said Commodore Rasmussen. “Each individual brings something unique to the team, showcasing the strength of a combined staff. Without my team, my experience with SNMG1 would have been impossible While it will be difficult to say goodbye, I believe we will likely reunite at another time and place. When I look back on our accomplishments, I feel very satisfied.”
The incoming SNMG1 Commander, Commodore Arjen S. Warnaar, said he and his team were ready to take the helm of the task group and continue the important work of providing maritime security for the Alliance. He said he is honoured and excited to take command of SNMG1.
This is a tremendous opportunity to work alongside dedicated allies and demonstrate the strength, unity, readiness, and determination of NATO forces at sea.
Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is one of the four Standing Naval Forces that provide security across the NATO area of responsibility. These task groups are the core of NATO's high readiness maritime capabilities, carrying out NATO missions across the full spectrum of operations, ready to respond to any task at any time.
NATO’s Standing Naval Forces operate 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.