Italian and Turkish navies are sending their ships to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2).
On April 23, the Italian Navy’s minesweeper Alghero departed La Spezia and is en route to the base port Mahón.
In addition, the Turkish Navy’s mine countermeasures vessel TCG Anamur is joining the units of SNMCMG2. The vessel’s participation in NATO’s mine countermeasure operation was announced by the Turkish Armed Forces on April 24.
The SNMCMG2 task group, coordinated by Allied Maritime Command based in Northwood, UK, is currently comprised of the Royal Navy’s HMS Enterprise and the Spanish Navy’s ESPS Segura .
Together, the units of the SNMCMG2 will conduct the annual Spanish Minex exercise before stopping at Palma de Mallorca and will then head to Sicilian coasts to participate in the Mare Aperto and Italian Minex.
The SNMCMG2 is one of four permanent naval groups in NATO Immediate Reaction Force (IRF), a high readiness force capable of rapid deployment.