North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Maritime Command
December 1, 2014
Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO visits Greece
Edited
PIRAEUS, Greece: Three ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) made a scheduled port visit to Piraeus, Greece during the Group’s deployment to the Mediterranean to enhance maritime security and readiness, and in support of NATO’s counter-terrorism [sic] Operation Active Endeavour (OAE). The group was in Piraeus from 26 November to 29 November.
Led by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson (USA N) since July, SNMG2 is currently composed of the flagship USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), HMCS Toronto (FFH 333) and ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon (F 102).
Since July, the Group has conducted multiple exercises and port visits along the North American coast and the Mediterranean, conducting high level and high tempo training and contributing to maritime situational awareness and the overall security of the Mediterranean. These included participation in NATO’s Response Force certification Exercise Noble Justification and the Turkish-led Exercise Mavi Balina.
Recent SNMG2 activity…included the proactive boarding and search of merchant ships in the Mediterranean…
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Following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR (OAE) was launched as an Article V operation, in support of the Alliance’s collective self-defence.
OAE is part of NATO’s multi-faceted response…Its mission is to conduct maritime operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Straits of Gibraltar to actively demonstrate NATO’s resolve…
Through the Mediterranean Voluntary Reporting Scheme, merchant ships are encouraged to send an Initial Report to the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) upon entering the Mediterranean or leaving a Mediterranean port. This enhances NATO’s forces ability both to assist shippers and to avoid interference between military and merchant ships.
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Story by HQ MARCOM Public Affairs Office
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