Finland to host NATO Maritime Command head, SNMG1

The Finnish Navy chief will be hosting the commander of Allied Maritime Command and ships from NATO Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) in Helsinki next week.

On August 24, Finnish Navy Vice Admiral Veijo Taipalus will welcome MARCOM commander Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone for an official visit to Finland.

One day later, ships from SNMG1 will arrive in Helsinki for a scheduled port visit as part of the group’s deployment in the Baltic Sea. The group will be hosted by the Finnish Coastal Fleet.

During the port visit, the SNMG1 command team will meet with local civilian and military leadership in Helsinki. The port visit will also be an opportunity for the sailors to enjoy a break from operations.

SNMG1 is currently composed of the NATO group flagship, Norwegian frigate HNoMS Otto Sverdrup, Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown, Portuguese frigate NRP Francisco de Almeida and German tanker FGS Rhön.

Some of the ships will be open and welcome visitors aboard both Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27.