4 Mar 2015
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Black Sea – NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) arrived today, Wednesday, 4 March 2015, in the Black Sea to operate and train with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish Navies. This training will include simulated anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises, as well as simulated small boat attacks and basic ship handling manoeuvers.
Led by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson (USA N), SNMG2 is currently
comprised of the flagship USS Vicksburg (CG 69), HMCS Fredericton (FFH
337), TCG Turgutreis (F 241), FGS Spessart (A 1442), ITS Aliseo (F 574),
and ROS Regina Maria (F 222). This potent NATO maritime force possesses
substantial sea-control, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare
capabilities.
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 SNMG2
is in the Black Sea to operate and train with ships from the Bulgarian,
Romanian and Turkish Navies - Photo courtesy of HQ MARCOM Public
Affairs Office |
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Admiral Williamson’s command of SNMG2 has been a full one. In 2014, the group deployed to the North American coast where it participated in three high-tempo exercises with multiple allied nations. Returning to the Mediterranean SNMG2 again engaged in complex multinational exercises with Allied nations, including exercise Noble Justification, one of NATO’s largest exercises and the NATO Response Force certification event for 2014. This was followed by several at-sea periods in support of NATO’s counter-terrorism mission, Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR as well as further training opportunities, including with the French Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group. It has been the most robust training schedule for an SNMG in some years. "The training and exercises we will conduct with our Allies in the Black Sea prepares us to undertake any mission NATO might require to meet its obligations for collective defense," said Williamson. "We are here at the invitation of the Turkish, Bulgarian and Romanian governments and look forward to enhancing our interoperability with their navies."
SNMG2’s deployment into the Black Sea is conducted in full
compliance with international conventions as a scheduled visit in
support of training as well as the assurance of Black Sea Allies. The
Group will return to the Mediterranean later this month to resume
patrols contributing to maritime situational awareness in the region.
Story by HQ MARCOM Public Affairs Office
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