The frigate ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’ (F-102), integrated into SNMG-2 (Standing NATO Maritime Group 2), will take part in the “Active Endeavour” operation during the first weeks of October until her arrival at Rota Naval Base where she is scheduled to participate in exercise ‘Noble Mariner 2014.
The Spanish frigate commenced her integration in operation ‘Active Endeavour’ (OAE) on September 30th upon her departure from the Greek port of Souda (Crete).
The participation of the frigate in OAE is part of the regular contribution of the Spanish Navy to the Alliance along with other nations, timely contributing with air, naval and submarine forces. The assigned units are controlled from NATO’s Maritime Headquarters in Northwood (United Kingdom) and are deployed throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
The main mission of the F-102 during her deployment in OAE will be surveillance of international waters and VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) operations of designated merchant ships in order to contribute to the deterrence, defense and protection of Mediterranean nations against possible terrorist activities.
Once OAE concludes, the SNMG-2 will proceed towards Cadiz to participate in exercise ‘Noble Mariner 2014’.
Operation ‘Active Endeavour’ is one of NATO’s responses after the September 11th attacks. Since the first deployment in October of 2001, the operation has evolved and is currently involved in detection, deterrence and protection tasks against suspicious ships likely of being engaged in terrorist-related activities.
[mappress] Press Release, October 07, 2014; Image: Spanish Navy