NATO General Observes Exercise Griffin Rise

Senior NATO officer General Hans-Lothar Domröse has visited HMS Ocean to witness a joint exercise between the French and British Armed Forces.

The Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) visited the Royal Navy Flagship to see elements of Exercise Griffin Rise – a bi-national exercise demonstrating the close partnership that exists between France and the UK.

The visit comes days after the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to France during a meeting with his counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris.

The General was hosted onboard by Rear Admiral Tony Radakin, Commander UK Maritime Forces, who was able to guide him through the exercise which represents a major milestone in the development of the Combined Joint Expeditionary (CJEF) concept – established in 2010.

Ex Griffin Rise is the first exercise of its kind conducted by a fully combined French and British staff with over 1,000 French and British personnel participating in several locations around France and onboard HMS Ocean in the Baltic Sea.

While onboard Ocean Gen Domröse also took the opportunity to learn more about the ship, its capability and the leading role it is playing in BALTOPS – one of NATO’s largest maritime exercises this year, which is running alongside Ex Griffin Rise.

Image: Royal Navy