SNMG2 Commander Updates on Group Ops (Interview)

Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, part of NATO’s four Standing Maritime Groups, recently took part in a multinational military exercise Joint Warrior 2015.

In an interview with Rear Adm. Brad Williamson (USA), Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), Naval Today was provided with some updates on the Group’s mission and results of the work and exercises they are undertaking.

– Can you tell us something about SNMG2’s goals? What is the Group’s mission? Are there any plans to change the scope of work the Group undertakes?

SNMG2 is one of NATO’s four Standing Maritime Groups. The intention of the groups is to provide NATO with a presence in the maritime theatre and to increase situational awareness of what is going on in Allied waters. Our mission is to deter, defend, and prevent illegal activity by demonstrating NATO’s presence and solidarity. Ultimately, we are a NATO maritime asset and we are ready and available to support whatever the Alliance tasks us to do.

– Will SNMG2 vessels soon be joined/relieved by other warships? Are there any hints of increasing the number of vessels in the Group?

The composition of SNMG2 is always changing. The size of our force is dependent upon the forces provided by Alliance nations. We are currently at five ships. The number of units in the group does not reflect any intention, merely national support and the operational area in which we are working.

– What can you tell us about the Group’s participation in the recent Joint Warrior 2015 exercise? And what are the Group’s next assignments? Is SNMG2 scheduled to take part in some other international exercise soon?

Joint Warrior (JW) 15-1 was an incredibly diverse and challenging exercise. It was a unique and welcome opportunity for our units to strengthen the interoperability that we practice year-round. One of the largest strengths of NATO units is their ability to integrate and operate with units from any Allied and partner nation at a moment’s notice and be able to do it safely and effectively. JW allowed us to exercise this ability to quickly integrate in a live exercise and I think we successfully displayed that we have that ability.

Currently, we are participating in Dynamic Mongoose 2015, an annual anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise that is hosted by Norway and organized by NATO’s Submarine Command. There are air, surface, and sub-surface units from 11 NATO and partner nations participating this year. During this exercise, units are able to exercise their ASW techniques in a challenging environment.  Locating, classifying, and tracking submarines is an incredibly important skill set. To train in a challenging environment ensures that we are ready to perform in any condition.

The next international exercise in which we will participate is Baltic Operations (BALTOPS). BALTOPS is an annual seamanship training exercise that has been held and sponsored by Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe since 1971 in the Baltic Sea region. The intent of this exercise is to train in basic seamanship operations such as replenishment-at-sea, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), tracking and interception, and training scenarios dealing with potential real world crises and maritime security on a large scale. Additionally, we expect to conduct Passing Exercises with Allied nations in the coming months.

– For how long will USS Vicksburg be the flagship of SNMG2? Which vessel will take its place?

USS Vicksburg (CG 69) relieved USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as SNMG2 flagship in December of 2014 and will be with us until our operational handover in June. The U.S. staff will be relieved by a German staff as SNMG2.

– Can you tell us something about the Group’s role in the recent Mediterranean Sea immigrant incidents? Is SNMG2 contributing to the crysis in any way? How are terrorist organizations related to these incidents? Can SNMG2 assist in Operation Triton?

NATO is not involved in dealing with migration, but it contributes to the security in the Mediterranean through our counter-terrorism operation Active Endeavour.  Allies already saved thousands of lives and received a large number of refugees.

There is no simple military solution to problems posed by migration. It is about addressing the root causes and the instability in the Middle East and North Africa. The primary responsibility for this tragedy lays with the human traffickers who endanger the lives of the innocent people onboard those vessels.

– What additional NATO taskings is the Group undertaking to enhance theatre security efforts in the region?

SNMG2 has participated in the NATO anti-terrorism mission Operation Active Endeavour (OAE) in the past, and will in the future. Operation Active Endeavour is part of NATO’s multi-faceted response to current terrorist threats.  Its mission is to conduct maritime operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar to actively demonstrate NATO’s resolve to help deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorism. In addition to OAE, every exercise that we conduct in Allied waters has the added benefit of providing presence in the region and adds a deterrent to illegal activity.

Naval Today Staff, Images: NATO MARCOM/US Navy