NATO Standing Naval Forces Take Part in Exercise Joint Warrior

Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Groups ONE and TWO (SNMCMG1, SNMCMG2) ships are in Scotland for the UK-led Exercise Joint Warrior 15-1.

SNMG2, led by U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Brad Williamson, comprised of the flagship USS Vicksburg, HMCS Fredericton, TCG Goksu, and FGS Spessart are in Faslane. SNMCMG2, led by Italian Navy Captain Giovanni Piegaja,comprised of the flagship ITS Euro, TCG Anamur, and FGS Bad Bevensen are in Glasgow. While, SNMCMG1, led by Dutch Navy Commander Peter Bergen-Henegouwen, comprised of flagship FGS Donau, BNS Lobelia, FGS Auerbach, HMS Pembroke, ORP Mewa, HNLMS Willemstad, and HNOMS Rauma are also in Glasgow.

Lieutenant Commander Matthew Hamm, USS Vicksburg’s operations officer, said:

This exercise is a unique opportunity for us to work with our Allied shipmates. For most U.S. Sailors, our training and qualifications are done with other U.S. Navy ships; multinational exercises like this help our Sailors learn how to cooperate and excel with other navies in a challenging and multidimensional environment.

Exercise Joint Warrior will run until 24 April. Three of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces consisting of 14 ships have joined more than 40 additional warships and submarines, as well as 70 aircraft. In total, around 13,000 personnel from 13 countries are participating in the exercise.

The exercise provides complex coordinated training at the joint level, increasing interoperability between Allied forces and providing valuable experience integrating land, air, and maritime forces. NATO’s Standing Naval Forces will test their anti-air and anti-submarine warfare skillsets, as well as conducting mine countermeasures training in advance of amphibious landings.

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Image: MARCOM