NATO maritime group visits Romania

Task Unit 02 of NATO’s standing maritime group (SNMG2) visited the port city of Constanta with the aim of strengthening ties with Black Sea countries.

While in Constanta, SNMG2 TU.02 senior leadership visited regional Romanian authorities to prepare for upcoming NATO exercises and to discuss maritime matters in the area.

According to NATO, the training exercises will consist of anti-air and anti-submarine warfare simulated maneuvers, in addition to repelling small vessel attacks and consort ship maneuvers.

The Romanian Navy arranged for approximately 50 members of HMCS Fredericton to take an exclusive guided tour of the “Muzeul Marinei Romane” in Constanta. The maritime museum features military and commercial naval history specific to Romania and the Black Sea. Fredericton sailors examined various preserved artefacts and reproductions of the area’s rich naval past while learning the history of the items on display.

“As Standing NATO Maritime Group Task Unit 02 commander it is my pleasure to visit Romania and build relationships with our NATO counterparts,” said Commander Trevor MacLean, Commanding Officer, Fredericton.

“The training serials that SNMG2 TU.02 is undertaking in the Black Sea are designed to develop interoperability and enable us to effectively operate together in a complex environment.”

SNMG2 TU.02 includes HMCS Fredericton as the task unit commander, and ROS Regina Maria. During the scheduled training exercises they will be joined by Turkish submarines, aircraft and ships. SNMG2 TU.02 is in the Black Sea to reassure allies in the region of the Alliance’s collective defense as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.