The Royal Netherlands Navy’s air defense and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen got underway from her homeport in Den Helder on January 5 to become the flagship of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2).
Evertsen will spend the next six months in the Mediterranean and Black Seas patrolling the region, contributing to the maritime situational awareness picture and supporting counter-terrorism operations.
Evertsen replaces sister ship HNLMS De Ruyter which returned from the Mediterranean Sea deployment last month.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has been at the helm of the SNMG 2 since taking over from the Royal Navy in a ceremony on June 30, 2018. During the ceremony, Commodore Mike Utley OBE formally handed over command of the SNMG2 to his Dutch counterpart Commodore Boudewijn G.F.M. Boots.
Evertsen will work with ally ships from Turkey, Greece and Canada during its time in the Mediterranean Sea. The deployed to the Mediterranean after concluding a stint with SNMG 1 in the North and Baltic Sea in October 2017.
HNLMS Evertsen is the final of four De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates which entered service with the Dutch Navy between 2002 and 2005.