NATO Maritime Group Prepares For Surge Operation In Mediterranean

NAPLES, ITALY

10.20.2010

Story by David Taylor 

NATO Maritime Command Naples

NAPLES, Italy – Ships of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 are preparing to enter the Mediterranean to carry out surge operations in support of NATO’s anti-terrorist Operation Active Endeavour. The Group has been carrying out extensive training and exercising in the Atlantic prior to beginning this operation to deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorism.

Currently commanded by Commodore Michiel B. Hijmans (Royal Netherlands Navy) the SNMG2 is a multinational, integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force. SNMG2 has previously been employed in combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden as part of NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield.

Operation Active Endeavour was formally begun October 26, 2001 as a result of NATO implementing Article 5 of the Washington treaty following September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States of America. Its mission is to help to deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea. It is currently conducted by Vice Admiral Maurizio Gemignani, Italian Navy, as COMAE from Allied Maritime Command Naples.

Building on experience acquired over the years OAE has become largely network-based and has developed a considerable Maritime Situational Awareness through the use of modern tracking and analysis technologies. It also benefits enormously from cooperation with non-NATO contributing nations.

However surge operations remain an integral part of OAE and are specifically designed to deny terrorists the option of operating in the Mediterranean Sea.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2010
• Date Posted: 10.20.2010 02:50
• Story ID: 58461
• Location: NAPLES, IT