North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Transformation
August 29, 2014
NATO Naval Task Force Makes Port Call in Hampton Roads
For the first time in several years, a NATO task force is conducting transatlantic operations in North America.
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) arrived August 26 for a port visit during their Western Atlantic deployment.
This is part of a series of training exercises conducted in conjunction with Amphibious Readiness Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercises (ARG/MEU EX). The group includes SNMG2’s flagship, the U.S. ship USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the German ship FGS Niedersachsen (F208) and the Turkish ship TCG Kemalreis (F 247). Kemalreis is the first Turkish warship to visit the United States in 15 years. Earlier in the deployment, it was also the first Turkish ship to ever visit Canada.
While here in Hampton Roads, SNMG2 will coordinate with representatives from Carrier Strike Group 4 to prepare for upcoming exercises and meet the local military and civilian leadership. Sailors from the three ships will also get the opportunity to explore the local area.
“We don’t get to come over here and exercise the transatlantic part of the Alliance as often as we should,” said SNMG2 Commander, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Brad Williamson during a press conference aboard the Kemalreis. “If you notice, it doesn’t say Europe in NATO, it says the Atlantic.
To be able to come over here and work with the Canadian Navy and the U.S. Navy together with our Turkish and German allies, it’s a rare opportunity to do that.”
NATO itself already has a permanent headquarters in Norfolk with Allied Command Transformation (ACT) which is the only NATO headquarters located outside of Europe, and is home to more than 750 NATO military and civilian staff members.
“The deployment of NATO ships to this part of the world strengthens the transatlantic bond between North America and Europe,” said French Air Force General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT). “An interoperable maritime force that enables navies from different nations to come together to execute missions on behalf of the Alliance is vital for the security of all. SNMG2 is leading the way in NATO achieving our goal of creating a cohesive and effective Naval force,” he said.
SNMG2 is permanently available to NATO to perform a wide range of tasks, from real world operations to exercise participation. Composition of the force varies as Allied nations contribute assets on a rotational basis.
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