HMS Ocean returns to NATO flagship role after hurricane response

Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Ocean has assumed her role as NATO SNMG2 flagship again after returning from the Caribbean where she contributed to the UK humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation Ruman.

Ocean relieved HMS Diamond – Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer which jumped in for the helicopter carrier in September – as group flagship on Sunday, October 29, whilst alongside in Souda Bay, Crete.

Over the coming months SNMG2 will participate in a number of multi-national exercises to develop greater interoperability between the naval forces of NATO members. HMS Ocean will host Royal Marines from 40 Commando, US Marines and naval aviation from 820, 845 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons based in the UK.

The commanding officer of HMS Ocean, Captain Robert Pedre, said: “My ship’s company are proud to have assumed the role of SNMG2 flagship. HMS Ocean is an incredibly capable amphibious and command platform and represents a significant UK contribution to NATO’s efforts to maintain security in the Mediterranean region”.

SNMG2 has a contingency role in the Mediterranean region operating as a combined NATO force.