Spain deploys Aegis frigate Cristóbal Colón to NATO’s SNMG2

Spanish Navy’s F-100 frigate Cristóbal Colón got underway from her homeport in Ferrol on August 25 to join NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Aegis-equipped frigate will first contribute to the maritime situational awareness picture and counter-terrorism operations in the Med as part of operation Sea Guardian.

Cristóbal Colón will then join other SNMG2 ships for exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic.

Currently composed of Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and German frigate FGS Lübeck, SNMG2 is an international task group of frigates, destroyers and patrol ships which works with other ally ships in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea.

Cristóbal Colón deployed with a crew of 200 and an embarked SH60-B helicopter from the Tenth Aircraft Squadron. Spanish Marines will also be on board during the deployment.