NATO ships visit New York ahead of ASW drill off Canada

Ships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group One (SNMG1) wrapped up a four-day visit to New York on September 3 after previously completing their first series of training events since arriving in the US.

The ships are now headed for Halifax, Canada, where they will be part of a 22-ship strong anti-submarine warfare exercise called Cutlass Fury 2019.

SNMG1 includes the flagship US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl (F-314), the Belgian Navy frigate Leopold I (F930), the Portuguese Navy frigate NRP D. Francisco de Almeida (F334), and the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Van Speijk (F 828).

“Gridley and her crew were honored to be moored pier side in New York and are grateful we had the opportunity to develop and strengthen bonds with citizens in the local area,” said Cmdr. Joel Uzarski, commanding officer, USS Gridley.

SNMG1 is operating off the US east coast as part of the new Maritime Express concept which saw its implementation in 2019 during SNMG1’s first semester deployment.

The concept is a twin-tracked approach bringing an increased emphasis on actively integrating allied nations in SNMG operations directly or through associated support under national or NATO operational control.