NATO Task Force Departed From Algeria

24 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

Today the NATO mine counter measures task force SNMCMG-2 has ended its 4 day port visit in Algeria. The next port of call for the task force will be Casablanca, Morroco.

The Port Visit will last from 21to 24 February and forms part of an extensive Programme for the Group aimed at increasing cooperation and understanding between NATO and Algeria.

The visit will allow NATO units to foster relationships with civilian and military authorities and offers the opportunity for national authorities to apprise themselves of SNMCMG2’s capabilities and ongoing activities. During the visit, the crews will have an opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites.

This is the current composition of SNMCMG-2:

Number
Name
Nation
Participants
A-577 TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Turkey Flagship
M-268 TCG Akcakoca Turkey Minehunter
M-34 SPS Turia Spain Minehunter
5556 ITS Alghero Italy Minehunter
M-30 HMS Ledbury UK Minehunter

 

Click for the previous Algeria visit of SNMCMG-2

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Active Endeavor With Or Without Israeli Participation?

15 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

Operation Active Endeavor (OAE) is one of the NATO’s oldest still running operations. It started as support to the United States immediately after 9/11. The aim is to demonstrate NATO’s solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism and to help detect and deter terrorist activity in the Mediterranean.

OAE started as a NATO members only operation but since 2004 non-NATO countries are welcomed to join. In the part years Russia, Ukraine, Morocco and Israel have made contributions to OAE in various forms.

According to a Jerusalem Post report Turkey prevented an Israeli plan to contribute an Israel Navy missile ship to a NATO’s OAE, in what would have been the first time Israel actively participated in one of the Western military alliance’s operations.

Diplomatic and defense officials told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that Turkey had decided to prevent Israeli participation in the Active Endeavor – following the Israel Navy raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010 in which nine Turkish nationals were killed.Diplomatic officials said that ever since its success, Turkey had been seeking to scuttle greater Israeli participation in the alliance.

…

In 2008, Israel sent a navy officer to sit at the operation’s headquarters in Naples and in late 2009, Defense Minister Ehud Barak submitted an official request to NATO to contribute a missile ship to the mission. In 2010, Israel and NATO signed an agreement that was supposed to pave the way for the ship’s participation.

“Israel’s navy anyhow patrols the Mediterranean and since we were interested in upgrading our ties with NATO, it made sense to offer to actively participate in the operation,” a senior government official said. “The Turks, though, torpedoed the move and refused to allow one of our ships to join.”

The it would be surprising if Turkey would not be objecting to Israels contribution given the current level of the relation between the two countries. But I personally do not think that Turkey can insist on its veto if other nations really want Israel in OAE. Turkey was not able to hinder the return of Greece and France to the alliance so this blocking of Israeli contribution may be symbolic.

Turkish newspaper Zaman reported that NATO considering an Israeli contribution to the alliance’s naval patrol in the Mediterranean, despite Turkey’s opposition.

NATO spokeswoman Carmen Romero said the offer is being evaluated “according to NATO procedures and operation requirements.”

In the past, Israeli warships and air force jets have joined in some NATO exercises, but Israel’s participation in the naval operation would the first time its armed forces have taken part in one of the alliance’s military operations.

…

Israel is a member of the Mediterranean Dialogue, a NATO outreach program with seven friendly nations bordering on that waterway. Romero said the alliance is prepared to enhance practical cooperation with all partner nations in the region, including Israel.

…

In Ankara, a Turkish foreign ministry official on Friday confirmed an Israeli news report that his nation, a key NATO ally and its only Muslim-majority member, has rejected Israel’s plan to contribute a navy frigate to the operation, which is aimed at curbing terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with government rules.

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NATO Task Force In Tunisia

11 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

The commander of SNMCMG-2, Capt. Abdülhamit Şener during the press conference. Photo: http://www.tunisia-live.net

As reported earlier this week the NATO’s Standing Mine Counter Measures Group 2 started a 5 day port visit in La Goulette, Tunisia on 9th February.

The task force’s commander Captain Abdülhamit Şener from Turkish Navy hosted a press conference for the Tunisian media on board of his flagship A-577 TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa.

After conducting a training exercise with Tunisian Navy the task force will proceed first to Algeria, later to Morocco.

Captain Abdulhamit Sener, an officer in the Turkish Navy and leader of the group, conveyed today in a press conference held on board the Turkish flagship “Mehmetpasa” that mines are a danger to the whole world, given that 45% of transportation operations worldwide happen through the sea.

“And we still have mines left from WWII,” he added. The multinational force conducts regular operations in the Mediterranean to destroy old mines.

The minesweeping process of the fleet includes 3 main steps: localization and classification, identification, and finally neutralization. This year’s group is made of allied forces from the Turkish, Italian, Spanish and British Navies.

Abdulhamit Sener made clear that this annual visit “does not have any political implications.”

Asked about the reasons for this visit to Tunisia, just when the situation in the Arab world is not stable, Abdulhamit Sener replies: “Our visit has been scheduled since last year. We are here as part of cooperation and dialogue with Tunisia. We will conduct an exercise scenario with two oil Tunisian next Monday off the coast of Tunisia. “ This exercise is to train ships to avoid the mines at sea. The five minesweepers, which dropped anchor at the port of La Goulette have on board nearly 300 sailors. 

The ship’s captain said that during the missions of the group, sometimes the frigate still mines dating from World War II “But we have not found any during our visit in Tunisia,” he said before He added: “Moreover, we no longer find mine recent Mediterranean … But there are threats of mines both in the Mediterranean and around the world.” 

Asked about the political significance of this trip, the ship’s commander denies any involvement in political affairs, but said that NATO has long been courteous relations with Tunisia and that intentions are more technical “and pacifists “, as is the case of the exercise scheduled next Monday. It should be remembered that Tunisia is a member of the Mediterranean Dialogue of NATO since 1994. The ship’s captain also adds, that vessels are dependent have not participated in the military mission that took place last year against the Gaddafi regime in Libya.  

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NATO Minehunters Arrive In Tunisia

9 Feb 2012 1 Comment

M-268 TCG Akçakoca.

NATO’s Standing Mine Counter Measures Group 2 will start a 5 day port visit in La Goulette, Tunisia today.

Captain Abdulhamit Sener from the Turkish Navy is leading the SNMCMG2, and will also chair a press conference scheduled for Friday, February 10th, on board the flagship “Mehmetpasa.”

The mission of this NATO group is to protect shipping lanes against the threat of sub-surface mines. Their secondary mission is to conduct scientific research about the Tunisian marine environment.

This visit will provide the NATO crew with an opportunity to communicate the nature of their activities to Tunisian authorities and visit historical and cultural sites of Tunis and its suburbs as well.

The relations between Tunisia and NATO date back to 1994, when Tunisia joined the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue – a forum of cooperation between NATO and seven non-NATO countries on the Mediterranean. The forum aims at “contributing to regional security and stability, achieving better mutual understanding and dispelling any misconceptions about NATO among dialogue countries,” according to the mission statement posted on NATO’s website.

This is the current composition of SNMCMG-2:

Number
Name
Nation
Participants
A-577 TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Turkey Flagship
M-268 TCG Akcakoca Turkey Minehunter
M-34 SPS Turia Spain Minehunter
5556 ITS Alghero Italy Minehunter
M-30 HMS Ledbury UK Minehunter

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TCG Giresun Exercised With Russians And EUNAVFOR In Gulf Of Aden

8 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

Russian destroyer Admiral Tributs. Photo: EUNAVFOR.

The Turkish flagship of NATO’s  Standing Maritime Group 2 F-491 TCG Giresun took part in a joint replenishment at sea exercise with EUNAVFOR and Russian ships in Gulf of Aden.

According to the EU Navfor press release the Europeans showed their replenishment at sea skills first and later watched how Russians do it.

The flagship of EUNAVFOR,  A-14 SPS Patiño refueled the Turkish frigate later, the exercise was repeated by the Russian flagship Admiral Tributs with the Russian tanker Pechenga.

Unfortunately EUNAVFOR press corps did not made any photos during this trilateral  exercise.

During the morning (of 31th January 2012) , the EU NAVFOR and NATO ships demonstrated to several Russian observers on-board the two Flagships a RAS manoeuvre where the ships steer parallel courses only 40 – 50 metres apart while passing fuel between the ships. In the afternoon, the same challenging seamanship exercise was performed by the Russian Task Force units, this time watched by EU NAVFOR and NATO observers

The exercise was coordinated to improve the interoperability among ships from different forces that operate in the Horn of Africa countering Somali pirates.

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Proud Manta 2012

7 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

It is once again time for the NATO’s biggest anti submarine warfare (ASW) exercise Proud Manta.

From 14-26 February 2012, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. will provide 5 submarines, 15 aircraft and 12 surface ships take part in  this exercise. The exercise will take place in the Ionian Sea to the southeast of Sicily.

The NATO’s own research ship A-1456 Alliance will participate to the exercise as well as ASW planes from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and USA. The UK will only provide 2 EH-101 ASW helicopters.

The exercise will demonstrate NATO’s determination to maintain proficiency and improve interoperability in coordinated anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, coastal surveillance and other maritime operations using a multi-national force of ships, submarines and aircraft.  Furthermore it will aim to provide operational training in potential NRF tasks/roles and missions as well as exercising the procedures for current or future operations. The units will also be exercised in defence against terrorism operations.

Order of Battle for Proud Manta 12 is:

Surface Ships
FFG-339 HMCS Charlottetown Frigate Canada
D-643 FS Jean De Vienne Destroyer France
F-209 FGS Rheinland-Pflaz Frigate Germany
A-1443 FGS Rhön Replenishment Tanker Germany
D-561 ITS Francesco Mimbelli Destroyer Italy
F-576 ITS Espero Frigate Italy
A-5352 ITS Lipari Tender Italy
A-5366 ITS Levanzo Tender Italy
F-804 HNLMS De Ruyter Frigate Netherlands
CG-72 USS Vella  Gulf Cruiser USA
DGG-68 USS The Sullivans Destroyer USA
FGG-45 USS De Wert Frigate USA
Submarines
S-605 FS Améthyste Rubis/Améthyste cl. France
S-111 NS Nirefs Type 209/1100 Mod. Greece
S-527 ITS Sciré Type 212A Italy
S-71 SPS Galerna Agosta S70 Spain
S-357 TCG Gür Type 209 /1400 Turkey

Click for previous years Proud Manta Exercise News.

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Turkish Navy Replaces The Flagship Of SNMCMG-2

29 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment


Turkish warship A-577 TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa replaced A-579 TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Paşa as the flagship of Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2, on 23rd January 2012. The Turkish Captain Abdulhamit Şener is commanding this task force.

Actually both ships are more or less same. They were originally built for the German Navy as Rhein class tenders. Four ships of this class Elbe, Donau, Isar and Ruhr were transferred to Turkish Navy in 1980′s. Isar was the first   TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Paşa. She was replaced by Donau. Similarly Ruhr was the first TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa; she was replaced by Elbe.

When not used as flagships both ships are used for long distance training sails of Turkish Naval Academy and Turkish Naval High-school cadets.

It was just the Turkish Navy that replaced the warship it has committed to this task force.  This is the current composition of SNMCMG-2:

Number
Name
Nation
Participants
A-577 TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Turkey Flagship
M-268 TCG Akcakoca Turkey Minehunter
M-34 SPS Turia Spain Minehunter
5556 ITS Alghero Italy Minehunter
M-30 HMS Ledbury UK Minehunter

This was the composition of SNMCMG-2 in November 2011:

Number
Name
Nation
Participants
A-579 TCG Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Paşa Turkey Flagship
M-270 TCG Akçay Turkey Minehunter
M-35 SPS Duero Spain Minehunter
5557 ITS Numano Italy Minehunter
M-1063 Bad Beversen Germany Minehunter

Standing NATO Mine-Countermeasures Group 2, is a multinational, integrated maritime force – made up of vessels from various allied nations, training and operating together as a single team – that is permanently available to NATO to perform a wide range tasks, from participating in exercises to crisis response and real world operational missions. Usually the Force is employed in the Mediterranean area but, as necessary, will be available anywhere NATO requires it to deploy.

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Turkey Assumes Command Of NATO’s Counter Piracy Task Force

8 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

Rear Admiral Tosun (center) with Rear Admiral Mattesi (right). Photo: Turkish Navy

On 7th December 2011, Turkey took the command of the NATO’s Anti Piracy Task Force TF-508 with a ceremony in Djibouti.

Prior to this change of command NATO’s other permanent naval task force SNMG-1 was making up the TF-508. For the next six months the ships of SNMG-2 will be the anti piracy task force. Currently SNMG-2 is under Turkish command. F-491 TCG Giresun is the flag ship of SNMG-2.

One other Turkish frigate F-495 TCG Gediz is in the region as part of US led TF-151 right now.

According to NATO press release:

As the handover was completed, Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi Tosun stated “I am extremely proud to take over command of such a task force from my predecessor, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi. I would like to thank Rear Admiral Mattesi and his distinguished staff for the excellent job they have done over the period of last six months. They can be really proud of having played a considerable part in contributing to the decline in pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden in recent months. We had a smooth operational handover and now we are ready to continue this important task as NATO’s counter piracy Task Force. Powerful and resolute units under my command will continue to fight against piracy with the same enthusiasm in order to safeguard the merchant community on behalf of NATO during the next six-month period. I wish Rear Admiral Mattesi and his staff a safe trip back home and to their loved ones.

I wish all the ships of TF-508 fair seas and following winds. Click here for the composition of TF-508.

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SNMG-2 Is Heading To Djibouti

8 Dec 2011 1 Comment

Families and onlookers wave farewell to SNMG2 flagship TCG Giresun as she sails to meet up with ITS Grecale and pass through Suez. Photo: SNMG2

According to NATO, SNMG-2 has passed through the Suez Canal some time between December 2nd and today and the task force consisting of Turkish flagship F-491 TCG Giresun and Italian frigate F-571 ITS Grecale is sailing to Djibouti to join Task Force 508.

 TCG GIRESUN, the new flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 recently rendezvoused in the eastern Mediterranean with Italian frigate ITS GRECALE. 
The Group has now passed through passed the Suez Canal and is sailing to Djibouti to join Task Force 508.

SNMG 2 is a multinational integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force and operates under the command of the Allied Maritime Command in Naples. Permanently activated and held at high readiness, it is a mobile and flexible force that allows the Alliance to respond to today’s security challenges.  SNMG2 is currently under the command of Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN, Turkish Navy.

According to Turkish Navy, after the rendezvous in Djibouti the composition of Task Force 508 will be as follows:

Number
Name
Nation
Type
F-491 TCG Giresun (Flagship) Turkey Frigate
F-571 ITS Grecale Italy Frigate
L-16 HDMS Absalon Denmark Frigate
DDG-64 USS Carney USA Destroyer
FFG-45 USS De Wert USA Frigate
A-387 HMS Fort Victoria UK Replenishment Tanker

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NATO Announces Flagship Handover In SNMG2 (UPDATED)

1 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

According to a short news release published at NATO’s Allied Maritime Command Naples web site, F-491 TCG Giresun replaces F-245 TCG Oruçreis as the flagship of SNMG-2.

Commander Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 has moved to a new flagship. Since 17 June 2011, TCG ORUCREIS has hosted Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN, Turkish Navy, and his staff. After serving as the flagship for five months, TCG ORUCREIS handed over her flagship duties to TCG GIRESUN, another Turkish frigate. TCG ORUCREIS served as Flagship during Mediterranean, Black Sea, Baltic and North Sea deployment periods.

I must say that I am very much disappointed with MC Naples’ public relations efforts. The link to a longer news release that the front page is not working. There are two different web pages showing the SNMG-2 task force, here and here and both are incorrect and out of date. I wonder that those guys are doing recently? Attending bunga bunga parties with Mr. Berlusconi?

UPDATE:

The link to the news release appears to be corrected. So I have added it. But the information about the current composition of SNMG-2 is still incorrect and out of date.

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