2009 SNMCMG1 News Articles
11 Dec 09
Danish exercise provides stern test for NATO Ships
For
the last ten days, NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1
(SNMCMG1) has been involved in the Danish Mine
Countermeasures Exercise 2009 (MCMEX09). The group comprising the
Command Ship, HDMS THETIS, one minehunter HMS QUORN,
and one mine sweeper, HNoMS RAUMA have had the opportunity to practice
various aspects of warfare.
Press Release
26 Oct 09
Sailing
from the storm
SNMCMG1
sailed a record distance, in one stretch, to escape a growing storm and
maintain their busy programme.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group 1 was about to arrive Ponta
Delgada, Azores, when a weather forecast rolled off the printer. The
report detailed two lows heading for the area around the Azores and our
proposed navigation track to mainland Europe.
As everyone prepared for a relaxing 48 hours in harbour the staff broke
the bad news about the weather and their plan to evade the storm. It is
very tough to sail in a Mine Countermeasure Vessel on the open ocean,
particularly with waves up to five meters tall, the demands on ship,
equipment and personnel are extreme. The reality of this struck home and
very quickly a unanimous decision was made to press on and transiting to
mainland Europe ahead of the storm.
This meant that the Group would sail more that 3.000 nautical miles in
one stretch, which is a remarkable achievement and a record in the
history of the SNMCMG1. The course was set for Spain where the Group
could take advantage of a short period for rest, recuperation and a
little maintenance in the calmer waters of La Coruna harbour.
Nevertheless, SNMCMG1 will soon be on the move again, the next challenge
being the Bay of Biscay. There is a good reason for the haste as the
Group has some serious business in the English Channel conducting
Historical Ordnance Disposal, countermining old ordinance in an area off
the French coast. During our time in the French waters we will add a
number of successfully detonated historical mines to the hundreds that
have been blown up by SNMCMG1 since 1973.
09 Oct 09
3000
miles and new challenges ahead for SNMCMG1
After some busy weeks on the American East Coast, Standing NATO Mine
Counter Measure Group 1 (SNMCMG1) has started the long journey home.
On Monday morning SNMCMG1 steamed out of Charleston, SC, to face a
3000 miles long journey back to Europe and the familiar task of
locating and disposing of as many old, but still dangerous, mines as
possible in the English channel.The main issue on this
particular journey is that the 5 MCMV's currently forming SNMCMG1
are not able to hold sufficient fuel for such a long unaided trip.
They need to be supplied with fuel several times throughout the
transit by the Flagship, HDMS Thetis, and also during our scheduled
port visits to Bermuda and the Azores. Furthermore, the group will
rendezvoused with an old friend, the U.S. tanker USNS Patuxent, who
once again will provide fuel for the llong tough stretch over the
Atlantic ocean.On leaving Charleston, the two Canadian
MCMV's HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan, conducted a steam past,
having operated as part of SNMCMG1 for nearly 6 weeks. The steam
past afforded everyone the opportunity to: "Thank them for their
efforts, camaraderie and sound cooperation."
The 6 European and 2 Canadian MCMV's can look back on a particularly
demanding month at sea participating in two major naval exercises -
one Canadian and one American. In the period between the two
exercises the group visited New York, holding ceremonies to
commemorate the victims of September 11th.
So with a lot of shared experiences, the two groups of ships are
heading
home to Europe and to Halifax.
06 Oct 09
The end of an historic first deployment with SNMCMG1
Early
this morning the two Canadian units, HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Goose Bay
detached from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) to
make their way to their homeport of Halifax. This marks the end of their
historic, first deployment with SNMCMG1.
The Group led by the flagship, HDMS THETIS, arrived in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, Canada on 28th August 2009 where two KINGSTON Class Mine Hunters
officially joined the group.
SNMCMG1 sailed from Halifax for a one week mine countermeasures exercise
in Canadian waters prior to transiting south in order to take part in a
large scale Carrier Strike Group joint exercise with the US Navy.
Prior to the American Exercise SNMCMG1 conducted an official visit to
New York where they led a NATO wreath laying ceremony at the World Trade
Centre site on 10 Sep 09 and hosted a NATO 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony
on the evening of 11 Sep 09
In addition, to their first participation in SNMCMG1, Canada is making
significant contributions to NATO MCM – they hosted the first NATO Mine
Warfare Working Group in Halifax in September and will be a major
participant in Exercise Bold Move 2009 – the computer based mine warfare
Command and Control Exercise in Ostende later in October.
29 Sep 09
SNMCMG1 enjoys a successful Carrier Strike Group Joint Task Force
Exercise and full US
Integration
The
8 warships of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1), from
7 nations, have just completed a major mine clearance exercise in
support of the USS Harry S Truman, Carrier Strike group (CSG),
certification prior to the CSG deployment.
This major joint exercise was conducted along the shores of Virginia and
South Carolina on the American east coast.
On our arrival in the operating areas it very quickly became apparent
that without the support of SNMCMG1 the Carrier Strike Group would not
be able to operate in these waters, which were subject to naval mining
all be it exercise mines. Throughout the exercise every available MCM
technique was employed to clear the mines enabling the safe passage of
the Carrier through the simulated mine field.
For their effort, dedication and professional conduct in making the sea
safe for the US Carrier Battle Group, SNMCMG1 received recognition by
way of Bravo Zulu’s (Well Done) from many sides of the US Navy
Leadership, amongst whom was Admiral Williams, COM 2nd US Fleet.
On an SNMCMG1 initiative, the exercise concluded with a photograph of
all participating ships during which the Danish Flag Ship, HDMS THETIS,
took Tactical Control of USS Harry S Truman and formed all units up for
this rare photo opportunity.
On completion of the mine recovery phase of the exercise SNMCMG1
proceeded alongside Naval Station Norfolk, where the Group was visited
by COM MCC Northwood, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE, who congratulated
the Commanding Officers and their crews on a successful US deployment.
During his visit the Admiral was briefed on the operational achievements
of SNMCMG1 during 2009 and took advantage of visiting two of the hard
working MCMVs of the Group.
SNMCMG1 continues its training along the American East coast before
returning for Europe early next month.
23 Sep 09
In
support of the larger combatants
Standing
NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) is currently operating along
the east coast of North America. The group, consisting of mine hunters
and a mine sweeper from 6 different nations, are all busy conducting
exercises in support of larger combatants like the USS HARRY S TRUMAN
Carrier Strike Group, that are being certified for operations through
the Joint Task Force exercise – JTFEX 04-9.
During the JTFEX the mine hunters and mine sweeper of SNMCMG1 have
conducted mine clearance operations in a simulated strait in order to
reduce the risk from mines to the Carrier Strike Group. For the past 9
days, sonar’s, under water drones, divers and sweeping gear have been
intensively used, operating 24 hours a day. Our efforts have resulted in
15 exercise mines being located and countermined, which is simulated by
their recovery; meaning that the mines can be used again for future
exercises. By clearing the simulated strait, SNMCMG1 managed to reduce
the risk from mines to an acceptable level for the Carrier and her
escorts. Having satisfied the Admirals requirements the USS HARRY S
TRUMAN was safely
escorted along a cleared route, through the mine field, in the early
hours of 22 September 2009.
From the outset, members of SNMCMG1 Staff established a Subject Matter
Expert liaison team within the American exercise control facility ashore
in Norfolk. Towards the end of the exercise the team relocated to USS
HARRY S TRUMAN in order to provide timely advice to the Admiral on the
progress of the mine clearance operations and, more importantly, the
possible risk to the Carrier transiting the simulated strait.
The hard work and effort did pay off and the Norwegian mine sweeper
HNOMS RAUMA was tasked to conduct a traditional Lead Through operation,
leading the Carrier safely along the cleared route through the
minefield.
It was evidently clear to all involved that without the support of
SNMCMG1 the Carrier Strike Group would not have been able to transit
this simulated strait. SNMCMG1 were acknowledged as a massive enabler in
this exercise and praised for their professional conduct and their
ability to integrate and support the Joint Commanders’ intent. The US
Navy leadership recognised the effort and ability of SNMCMG1 as an
example to follow, the ability to conduct naval mine clearance proved,
for this scenario, to be mission essential.
We, as ever, remain quietly calm over our achievements. We believe we
only did what we do best, which is make the Seas a Safer Place, although
this time in support of a Carrier Strike Group.
Press Release
15 Sep 09
SNMCMG1 ceremonies at
9/11 Commemoration
text provided by COMSNMCMG1,
Commander s.g. H. Holck Rasmussen Royal Danish
Navy
Standing
NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) made a port visit to the
City of New York prior to the Group assuming responsibility for Mine
Clearance Operations in support of the Harry S. Truman, Carrier Strike
Group, certification exercise – JTFEX 4-09. The visit formed part of the
official New York 400 event, which marks 400 years of unbroken
friendship between the City of New York and the City of Amsterdam.
Proceedings commenced with a ceremonial harbour entry during which
SNMCMG1 in company with HNLMS TROMP, HNLMS VAN SPEIJK and USS CARNEY
conducted a sail past, with 21 gun salute from HNLMS TROMP, in honour of
the Dutch Royal Family and Senator Hillary Clinton.
During the visit the Group organised and lead a multi-national maritime
wreath laying ceremony at the official World Trade Centre site in
commemoration of the victims of the tragic attacks on the 11
th
September 2001. The Group also organised and lead a NATO 9/11
Commemoration Ceremony onboard HDMS THETIS. Overlooking the Manhattan
Sky Line from onboard the SNMCMG1 Flag Ship, a moving and dignified
Ceremony was executed, with COMSNMCMG1 and the SNMCMG1 Chaplain making
speeches in recognition of the victims of the 9/11 disaster, the human
sacrifice experienced and the courage of the many family members who
lost their loved ones.
The Commemoration Ceremony was attended by prominent representatives
from the City and State of New York, the New York Emergency Services and
high ranking diplomats and Officers from the American and Dutch Armed
Forces. The Ceremony concluded with the Danish Consul General
handing
over the Dannebrog national flag that was flying on the Consulate
building on the 11th September 2001, to the City of New York. The dusty
and torn Dannebrog was received by a clearly moved representative of the
City.
MCC Northwood was represented by Deputy Commander MCC Northwood VADM H-J
Witthauer who took the opportunity to meet with the Commanding Officers
of the Flagship and the 7 MCMVs of SNMCMG1. He congratulated them on
their North America deployment, and wishing them all success on the
forthcoming Joint exercise with – amongst others – the US Second Fleet
Carrier Strike Group. SNMCMG1 departed New York on 13 Sep 09 after an
outstanding and truly memorable visit to the Big Apple.
Press Release. Click
here
to view slideshows of events.
14 Sep 09
SNMCMG1 takes
part in the 9/11 Commemoration
Standing
NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) led by the flagship, HDMS
THETIS, arrived in New York in order to participate in the 9/11
Commemoration Period. During this period a wreath was solemnly laid at
Ground Zero site and a Commemoration Event was held on the flagship.
The Group comprises of:
HDMS Thetis, Denmark (Flagship)
HNOMS Rauma, Norway
HMS Quorn, United Kingdom
HNLMS Urk, The Netherlands
BNS Lobelia, Belgium
ENS Sakala, Estonia
HMCS Goose Bay, Canada
HMCS Shawinigan, Canada
Much of the Group’s work earlier in the year has been on the
dangerous task of Historical Ordnance Disposal – mainly munitions from
the second World War – operating in the busy and confined European
waters. Their work is both arduous and dangerous and their motto is
Making the Seas a Safer Place.
For this current deployment there are 3 key operational reasons;
(1) To broaden our MCM expertise by gaining environmental and
oceanographical knowledge and experience in non-European waters.
(2) To test and validate the our MCM systems (old and new) in different
water columns and environmental conditions.
(3) To participate in the major US Carrier Strike Group Joint Exercise
and working with USA and CAN navies. This is the first occasion that CAN
units have joined SNMCMG1 and you will see 2 Kingston Class Mine Hunters
currently form part of the Group.
Press Release
02 Sep 09
Historic Day
for SNMCMG1
Standing
NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) led by the flagship, HDMS
THETIS, arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 28th August 2009
where two KINGSTON Class Mine Hunters officially joined the group. The
integration of the two Canadian units marks an historic occasion, as
this is the first time Canadian Mine Hunters have ever officially join
SNMCMG1.
The historic day was marked by an official reception onboard the
flagship with attendance from all of the current participating ships,
the Canadian Navy and an MCC Northwood VIP, DCOS OPS, Cdre Hans Helseth
(NOR N), who made the journey from the UK to witness the occasion and
congratulate the Canadian Navy and SNMCMG1 on their achievement which
now brings the group up to 8 units.
The KINGSTON Class Mine Hunters operate High Tech Side Scan Sonars and
Clearance Divers, bringing different equipment, knowledge and experience
to the team. The two Canadian Navy Mine Hunters will be a part of
SNMCMG1 until early October 2009, when the MCM Group will return to the
familiar waters of Europe.
On completion of a Pre Sail Conference, SNMCMG1 will sail from Halifax
for a one week mine countermeasures exercise in Canadian waters prior to
transiting south in order to take part in a large scale Carrier Strike
Group joint exercise with the US Navy.
Prio
r to
the American
Exercise SNMCMG1 will conduct an official visit to New York
where they will lead a NATO wreath laying ceremony at the World Trade
Centre site on 10 Sep 09 and host a NATO 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony on
the evening of 11 Sep 09.
26 Aug 09
SNMCMG1 refuels in
mid-Atlantic
The Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group No1
(SNMCMG1) is currently crossing the Atlantic en-route to the American
East coast in order to take part in both Canadian and American joint
exercises. The Group will conduct an official visit to New York City
where they will hold a NATO 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony.
SNMCMG1 usually operates in the waters of northern Europe, however, MCC
Northwood occasionally tests the ability to deploy over longer
distances, and sustain MCM operations out of area. To that end, it has
been 11 years since SNMCMG1 operated on the American East coast.
At present SNMCMG1 consists of the Flag Ship HDMS THETIS, four Mine
Hunters and one Mine Sweeper from the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia,
United Kingdom and Norway. The group is scheduled to conduct operations
along the North American East coast from late August until early
October. During this period two Canadian Mine Hunters and four Canadian
staff officers will join the Group.
Throughout the deployment, the five MCMV’s will frequently be supplied
with fuel form an astern replenishment system onboard HDMS THETIS, the
system being kindly provided by the Norwegian Navy. It will come as no
surprise to learn that the demand for fuel during an Atlantic passage is
high. Therefore, in order to ensure the groups sustainability HDMS
THETIS seized the opportunity to rendezvous with USNS PATUXENT, mid way
between the Azores and Nova Scotia, in order to top up with some 300
cubic meters of fuel from the American Fleet Tanker. The encounter was
brief but the benefit was great and above all, it is good to know that
there is always someone looking out for you.
17 Aug 09
Danish Minister of
Defence visits SNMCMG1
The
Danish Minister of Defence, Soren Gade, visited HDMS THETIS and
SNMCMG1, whilst alongside Vigo, Spain, on 12 – 13 August 2009. During
his visit the Minister was introduced to the Groups mission and its
achievements from January 2009 to date, in particular the Historical
Ordinance Disposal Operations, which has seen the force dispose of over
22000 kg of explosives so far this year.
The Minister was thoroughly briefed on the conduct of modern Mine
Hunting and witnessed a Mine Hunting demonstration onboard the Estonian
mine hunter ENS SAKALA. This was a timely introduction to MCM onboard an
Estonian Warship given his forthcoming meeting with Estonian Defence
Minister.
The visit afforded him time to have both formal discussions with the
Command onboard HDMS THETIS, acknowledging the importance of this sphere
of warfare (MCM) and the enormous effort of the Command platform and the
Group in making each operation a resounding success. Furthermore, he was
able to meet a large number of the ships company informally, broadening
his understanding of MCM, whilst hearing the sailor’s views on their
involvement in such a unique deployment with a NATO High Readiness
Maritime Group.
Finally the Minister was briefed on the SNMCMG1 forthcoming deployment
to North America, in particular the attachment of two Canadian
Minehunters, increasing the group to 8 warships in total, the
integration of 4 Canadian Officers and the Groups involvement in the
large scale American Carrier Strike Group Exercise (JTFEX) in Sep 09 .
MCM Group 1 has now commenced its historical crossing of the Atlantic
Ocean en-route to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
05 Aug 09
SNMCMG1 goes west
SNMCMG1
is currently assembling in Plymouth and will then commence a transit to
North America. This deployment serves two main operational purposes: to
gain environmental and oceanographical knowledge in non-European waters
and to test and validate the new MCM systems in different waters and
conditions. In addition it demonstrates support to our North American
allies by participating in major exercises and working with the navies
of the United States and Canada. Importantly, SNMCMG1 will also
participate in the New York and 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony in New York.
02 Jul 09
Evaluation of Finnish units
From
18th until 29th May CC-Mar HQ Northwood supported the evaluation of the
Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (ATU). The evaluation was conducted
according to the NATO Operational Capabilities Concept Evaluation and
Feedback (OCC E&F) program. The OCC E&F program includes two levels. In
the first level Partner unit’s level of interoperability is evaluated
against NATO standards using checklists in accordance with NATO Task
List. In the second level Partner unit’s military capability and mission
accomplishment are evaluated against Allied Command Operation (ACO)
Forces Standards. This evaluation of the Finnish ATU was a second level
self evaluation conducted by Finland and supported by CC-Mar HQ
Northwood. The Finnish ATU was evaluated on the first level of OCC E&F
by NATO evaluation team in May 2007. The OCC E&F evaluations are
prerequisite before Partner units join NATO led operations.
A team from CC-Mar HQ Northwood conducted an OCC E&F first level NATO
evaluation for Finnish Boarding Team during Baltops 2009 exercise from
8th until 11th June. This evaluation was a continuum for the first level
self evaluation conducted by Finland in November last year. The Finnish
Boarding Team operated from Royal Danish Navy Ship Esbern Snare and
conducted several successful unopposed and non-co-operative boardings of
merchant vessels during the evaluation and showed high level of
interoperability and military capability in boarding operations.
29 Jun 09
Real Mines and Fair Play
SNMCMG1
participated in BALTOPS 09 but also managed to do some genuine mine
counter measure.
Why not make use of the experts when they come to town? During exercise
BALTOPS 09 one of the tasks for Standing NATO Mine Counter Measure Group
1 was to find the mine lines in the old German minefield “Wartburg III”
and countermine any mines found.
During the first days of the BALTOPS exercise the mine hunters
discovered four mine anchors and explosives from two mines in one of the
four mine lines. The mines found on the bottom of the sea were much
corroded and in places the explosives were no longer protected by the
mine case. The mine cases and the explosives were carefully examined by
the operators before being safely countermined. Furthermore there were
found one single mine anchor from another mine line. All mine line
information was handed over to the Swedish Mine Data Centre in
Karlskrona.
SNMCMG1 had once again made the sea a safer place – this time in the
Baltic Sea.
Over the last few months the original group of SNMCMG1 mine hunters has
reduced to three ships: MAKKUM (NL), BROCKLESBY (UK) and
SULZBACH-ROSENBERG (GE) plus the Danish command ship THETIS. BELLIS (BE)
and TALIVALDIS (LA) left the group in respectively Antwerp and Hamburg
after having been attached for 4 and 5 months. Instead the group was
supplied with two other ships for the exercise: The Swedish mine ship
FARÖSUND and the Danish mine hunter MAKRELEN. The ships formed up and
operated in the live minefield as an MCM Task Unit in its own right.
Parallel two other MCM Task Units lead by Sweden and The Baltic
Squadron, were working on exercise mine fields closer to shore.
Traditionally exercise BALTOPS culminates in a tactical exercise
(TACEX). The TACEX phase of this year’s BALTOPS was played around the
choke point between southern Denmark and Northern Germany (Kadetrenden
Strait).
Here all 15 mine hunters in the exercise were joined to one single fleet
under command of the SNMCMG1 staff. They were escorted by the Danish
Flexible Support Ship ESBERN SNARE and the corvet PEDER TORDENSKIOLD to
the Kadetrenden operations area, where they for exercise were to clear a
safe route through an exercise minefield for the “high value ships” to
pass through. A passage through the exercise mine field was quickly
cleared by the mine hunters and sweepers of the force while the escorts
provided protection form OPFOR air and surface attacks.
After the end of the BALTOPS it was time for MAKKUM, BROCKLESBY and
SULZBACH-ROSENBERG to say goodbye to the SNMCMG1 after half a year of
good work. Following a Sail Past, the Group dispersed for summer leave.
At the end of July THETIS will once again go to sea – this time
accompanied by five new mine hunters. SNMCMG1 will reassemble in Naval
Base Devonport, Plymouth, UK 01 August.
16 Jun 09
SNMCMG1 continues its busy schedule
Over the past few months SNMCMG1
have had a busy training programme with MOST in Zeebrugge (Belgium) on
26&27 May 09, HOD Ops off the coast of France, Belgium and The
Netherlands (20 April until 30 April 2009) and official visits during
the Hamburg Port Festival on 09&10 May 09. In spite of this busy
schedule the crew found some time to visit "Flanders Fields".
Slideshow of these events can be viewed by clicking on the following
links:
MOST training
Part 1 and
Part 2
Historical Ordnance Disposal Ops (HOD
Ops)
Hamburg Port Festival
Part 1 and
Part 2
Crewmembers of SNMCMG1 visit
Ypres and Flanders Field cemeteries
20 May 09
Would you like to work in the middle of the M25?
That is exactly what SNMCMG1
did when they undertook an historic ordnance exercise in the North Sea
near Rotterdam.
More...
19 May 09
SNMCMG1 destroys
bombs in North Sea
Portsmouth
based mine countermeasures vessel, HMS BROCKLESBY destroyed a World War
Two bomb in the North Sea this morning (May 19). A large plume of
seawater marked the detonation following the disposal operation.
The Hunt Class vessel is operating with the Standing NATO Mine
Countermeasure Group 1 SNMCMG1 under the command of Cdr Henrik Rasmussen
in the Danish vessel HDMS THETIS. The Group of ships are actively
hunting for historic ordnance for both training and safety purposes.
Three
Mine Countermeasures Vessels are currently taking part in the disposal
operations. Dutch and Belgian ships have also disposed of bombs in the
last 24 hours and HMS BROCKLESBY has confirmed that another contact
reported by a fisherman is a bomb, by using their highly successful
underwater inspection and mine disposal vehicle SEAFOX.
Lt Cdr Tom Tredray Commanding Officer of HMS BROCKLESBY said:
“There is a large amount of Second World War explosives in the North Sea
and the aim of this operation is to reduce the risk to seafarers,
particularly fishermen who run the risk of hauling up explosives in
their nets. As a side benefit, it also provides good training for my
team in mine disposal techniques, helping us to maintain a good level of
operational capability as part of NATO’s high readiness Mine
Countermeasures force.”
30 Apr 09
Divers move mines to make sea safer
SNMCMG1
are today reflecting upon a highly successful operation in the Bay of
Somme where they have conducted Historic Ordnance Disposal. Throughout
the time, the benign weather allowed all ships in the Group to operate
effectively and complete a full range of mine countermeasures
activities.
In total, SNMCMG1 covered more than 240 km², disco
vering
12 mines, two bombs and 1 depth charge. Four of the bombs were moved
from the vicinity of wrecks and under water installations prior to
countermining. This involves divers physically attaching a mine lifting
bag of up to 1000kg of TNT to a mine and then towing it away to a safe
area where it can be disposed off safely.
Cdr Henrik Holck Rasmussen, Commander SNMCMG1 said:
“It is very motivating for the for the mine counter measure vessels to
have the opportunity to remove and countermine live ordnance. All units
enjoyed participating in this very successful operation and we look
forward to many more and perhaps the most important outcome of this
operation, we have made the sea safer for those who work and enjoy
spending time on it.”
23 Apr 09
Clearing up a little history
Standing
NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1)
are currently off the coast of Dieppe carrying out a planned Live
Ordnance Disposal Operation (HOD Ops).On 22nd April during a press day,
the Latvian minehunter, LVNS TALIVALDIS detonated a 500kg German LMB
mine left over from WWII just a few kilometres off the port of Dieppe.
COMSNMCMG1,
Commander s.g. H Holck Rasmussen (Royal Danish Navy) said, “our work
here helps to make the seas safer. By doing so, the threat from old WWII
mines to fishermen and others will be reduced.”
SNMCMG1 provides a continuous Maritime Mine Countermeasures capability
for operations in peacetime and periods of conflict.
13 Apr 09
Mediterranean, dinghies and mines – Fully Combat Ready!
After some 48 days in the Mediterranean, Standing NATO Mine
Countermeasures Group passes out to the west through the Strait of
Gibraltar on the 7th
of April enroute to its more traditional operations area in the English
Channel.
Full
Story
01 Apr 09
Making the seas
safer
Whilst
the risk to the public from unexploded ordnance in European waters is
relatively small, it is present. Which is where, NATO’s Standing NATO
Maritime Counter Measure Groups (SNMCMGs) come in. The art of countering
a mine threat at sea is a specialized and time consuming business. When
you have numerous mine counter measure vessels at your disposal the
operations tempo increases and you achieve your mission. Commander
SNMCMG1, Cdr Henrik Holck Rasmussen : “Having multiple mine counter
measures vessels operating in support of one mission requires
cooperation, integration and mutual understanding amongst units and
their staff. Like in any complex operation this coordination becomes
much easier when you get to know and appreciate the people you work with
for their professionalism and personality. The month of March has proven
this to be a fact of life.”
This
was tested to the full extent during exercise LOYAL MARINER 09 in which
both NATO Standing Mine Counter Measure Groups, SNMCMG1 and SNMCMG2,
together with French MCM units took part.
In a fictitious scenario south of Sardinia, the 12-strong task force of
mine counter measures vessels cleared mines for an Amphibious Landing in
support of a Non Combatant Evacuation Operation. In addition, MCM
operations were conducted along the Sea Lines of Communication in order
to reduce the risk from mines to ensure safe arrival of humanitarian aid
to the island and subsequent safe commercial traffic flow through the
area.
During the two-week long exercise, strong professional bonds were forged
between the two sister MCM Groups. This relationship was deepened over
the following weeks as SNMCMG1 and SNMCMG2 conducted a week long PASSEX
enroute to Italy and the follow-on exercise IT MINEX 09 off La Spezia.
Traditionally IT MINEX 09 is a dedicated MCM exercise involving a
challenging mine threat in a realistic asymmetric scenario. In
cooperation with NATO Undersea Research Centre IT MINEX 09 offered MCM
vessels the opportunity to test the performance of crews and equipment
on a special MCM test and evaluation range.
Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions in the operations area
only one SNMCMG1 unit was introduced to the range. However, before the
weather precluded any further MCM OPS the two Mine Counter Measure
Groups had encountered a total of eight mines in extremely challenging
underwater conditions with strong layers hampering sonar performance and
visibility of less than half a meter.
Over the last month, during time in port and at sea the crews of the two
Standing NATO MCM Groups have developed professional bonds, personal
friendships and long lasting relations. Such a spirit is key for taking
on future tasking and achieving missions ordered by higher command.
20 Mar 09
NATO Standing Mine Counter Measures Groups making seas safer
Both
NATO Standing Mine Counter Measures Groups (SNMCMGs) are visiting
La Spezia,
Italy
today (Friday 20th March) making it one of the few times that
both groups are together. The aim of the port visit allows the Groups to
prepare for the annual ITALIAN MINEX exercise as well as the opportunity
to maintain and build both military and civilian contacts.
Press Release
16 Mar 09
35 ships, 15 nations, one successful LIVE EXERCISE
Exercise
Loyal Mariner 09 drew to a successful conclusion on Friday 13 March.
Under the command of Rear Admiral Claudio Gaudiosi, Commander Italian
Maritime Forces, the 2 week exercise exceeded all expectations, testing
the maritime units and afloat maritime staffs by refining the
interoperability and integration of maritime operations.. The objective
of the exercise was to train maritime forces in preparation for their
on-call period to perform the duties of the high readiness NATO Response
Force (NRF). The exercise area consisted of the adjacent Italian
territorial waters off the coast of Sardinia including its airspace.
The exercise also served as a perfect preparation period for the
participating Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), under the
command of Rear Admiral José Pereira da Cunha (Portuguese Navy), as the
Group prepared for the NATO counter piracy mission, Operation Allied
Protector. They will they proceed on their pre-planned deployment to
South East Asia and Australia as part of a 7-ship task force.
Rear Admiral Hubert Hass, Chief of Staff at Maritime Component Command
(MCC) Northwood, led the situational (or opposing) forces to inject some
realism and unpredictability into proceedings, ensuring the NATO forces
remained adaptive to change. Together with a small staff, he embarked in
the French frigate; Mocalm, and took time to visit Standing NATO Mine
Countermeasure Group One (SNMCMG1) before the start of “hostilities”.
The
35 participating ships represented the broad spectrum of naval assets,
including an aircraft carrier, amphibious units,
destroyers, frigates, mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels and 3
submarines. The MCM units employed their own command platform, and the
amphibious platform spawned a host of landing craft for the assault on
the xanthic beaches of Sardinia. The Finnish naval vessel; FNS Uusimaa
was evaluated during Loyal Mariner 2009, and her interoperability with
NATO forces was proved, demonstrating her ability to take part in future
international operations using NATO procedures.
The weather played its part proving the Mediterranean is not always a
perfect holiday destination. Strong winds and resulting seas off the
coast of Sardinia caused the media day to be postponed into the second
week, making life quite unpleasant for the smaller vessels. In spite of
this adversity, the MCMs recovered all the pre-laid exercise mines; and
the amphibious landing was a first rate success, demonstrating the close
co-operation between Spanish and Italian marines.
Not
content with achieving a solely maritime effect, Loyal Mariner was
linked to Loyal Ledger 09, a land-based Command Post Exercise, which
shared a common high level political scenario within a coherent
timeline. This demonstrated MCC Northwood working in close cooperation
with Land Component Command (LCC) Heidelberg for both the planning and
execution phases, and represents a further step towards better use of
NATO’s valuable resources. Furthermore, Heidelberg trialed the latest
step of NATO transformation – the Deployable Joint Staff Element (DJSE),
which aims to further improve and refine NATO’s deployability and
flexibility to conduct operations.
08 Mar 09
Deputy
Commander MCC Northwood HQ visits SNMCMG1
Deputy
Commander MCC Northwood Vice Admiral Pim Bedet (Netherlands Navy), in
company with Mr Diego Ruiz Palmer, head of the Planning Section, NATO
Operations Division (part of NATO’s International Staff in Brussels),
paid a brief visit to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One
(SNMCMG1). The Group was sheltered from the strong winds and meter-high
waves that dominated the operations area of Exercise LOYAL MARINER 09.
Following a short introduction to SNMCMG1 2009 Ethos of Professionalism,
Safety and Welfare, the VIPs attended the daily Mine Warfare Command
Update Brief presented by the staff, together with embedded augmentees
from EGUERMIN, NATO Centre of Excellence within Mine Warfare. The brief
provided detailed information on the progress of ongoing mine clearing
operations and the role of the Mine Warfare Commander during Exercise
LOYAL MARINER 09.
The Admiral and Mr Palmer were also briefed on the NATO Response Force
(NRF) accreditation which is taking place these days onboard SNMCMG1
Flag Ship HDMS THETIS.
Though the visit was limited for time, the VIPs spent time onboard two
of the Group’s mine hunters. Onboard the Latvian mine hunter LVNS
TALIVALDIS, recently acquired from the Dutch Navy, the Commanding
Officer Lieutenant Commander Oscars Derings briefed the VIPs on the
challenge of taking on and operating a new class of ship. The Commanding
Officer of HMS BROCKLESBY, Lieutenant Commander Tom Tredray,
demonstrated the ship’s operational capability including BROCKLESBY’s
latest equipment: the SEAFOX Single Shot Mine Disposal Vehicle.
The Commanding Officer of the NATO Mine Warfare Group, Commander Henrik
Holck Rasmussen Royal Danish Navy, was extremely pleased with the
distinguished visit: “It’s important to demonstrate our capabilities
live for our Lords and Masters, and I’m glad that the Admiral and Mr
Palmer took the time to drop by to see us”.
05
Mar 09
Chief of Staff
MCC Northwood HQ visits SNMCMG1
Leading
up to the Exercise LOYAL MARINER 09 Chief of Staff MCC Northwood Rear
Admiral Hubert Hass
(German Navy) together with
the
Head
of Communications and Information Systems,
MCC Northwood, Captain
Harry Harsch (Canadian Navy) visited
Standing NATO Maritime Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1)
alongside Cagliari, Sardinia 1-2 March 2009.
During the visit the Admiral had informal talks
with
every ships company of SNMCMG1 and
was introduced to the Latvian
Mine
Hunter
LNS TALIVALDIS conducting MCM OPS (Mine Counter Measures Operations) at
sea.
Onboard the
SNMCMG1 Flagship
HDMS THETIS the Admiral informally met with the Commanders of both
SNMCMG1 and SNMCMG2,
who are
also taking part in
the Exercise.
He was then
briefed by SNMCMG1 staff on the conduct of the combined Task Group MCM
operations during the exercise.
During the stay onboard the Admiral
discussed the SNMCMG1
Schedule of Operations 2009, which includes deployment to the East Coast
of America.
After an informative time with SNMCMG1
onboard HDMS THETIS the Admiral and the Captain were transferred to
FS MONTCALM in order to act as the opposition forces
during
the Exercise.
02
Feb 09
SNMCMG1 conducting
Damage Control Training
After
a successful operational handover ceremony in Copenhagen, SNMCMG1
deployed for Neustadt, Germany. The main aim was to conduct dedicated
damage control training at the German Naval Damage Control Training
Centre - a two week fire and flood fighting scenario for individual and
collective training, together with sea survival exercises and countering
bomb threats. The first week of the training was conducted in harbour
and then continued the following week at sea; all proving to be a busy
yet rewarding period for SNMCMG1. The current composition of the Group
is the Flagship HDMS THETIS (DNK) and the mine counter measures vessels
FGS SULZBACH-ROSENBERG (DEU), HMS BROCKLESBY (GBR), LVNS TALIVALDIS
(LET) and HNLMS MAKKUM (NLD).
At the German Naval Damage Control Training Centre a host of Sea Riders
were available to coach fire fighting, flood prevention, first aid and
sea survival. The ships’ crews were kept busy throughout the first week
of training, although the programme also supported welcome respites such
as football, running and a swimming contest.
The climax of the harbour phase was a Major Harbour Fire Exercise, with
a simulated explosion onboard HMS BROCKLESBY causing a dangerous fire to
spread to nearby FGS SULZBACH-ROSENBERG. The simulated fire became
(predictably) unruly; thus civil assistance was requested. Minutes later
the Fire Brigades of Hamburg, Lübeck and Neustadt arrived in 8 fire
trucks and a mobile emergency facility. A total of 14 exercise
casualties were treated and the fire was eventually extinguished via
cooperation between civil and military fire fighters.
With the harbour phase complete, SNMCMG1 returned to sea for the more
complex damage control scenarios. Once at sea, the SNMCMG1 units
automatically assist one other in cases of emergency, although in
extreme cases civil assistance is still required. This was practiced
yesterday, where a civil fire fighting vessel was called upon to assist
in cooling the side of an MCMV that – for exercise - caught fire.
Unfortunately the poor visibility in Lübecker Bucht did not allow the
German S-61 SAR helicopter to winch down the civil fire fighters from
Hamburg Fire Brigade – but an impressive display nonetheless.
Onboard every unit in the Group there are a number of Sea Riders who
initiate various incidents at short notice in order to force the units
to exercise emergency procedures, man over board drills, etc.
The collective training in Neustadt, together with the sports and diving
activities, forms an excellent opportunity for crews and units to train
and meet each other, in line with the Group Commander’s aim to ensure
proper Force Integration.
On completion Damage Control Training, SNMCMG1 will continue their
planned programme through the Kiel Canal en route to the Mediterranean.
21 Jan 09
Danish Naval Officer takes command of Standing NATO Mine Counter
Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1)
Each year the command of Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1
(SNMCMG1) is rotated between 6 NATO members. On 13th January 2009
Denmark
relieved the
UK
of the command duty. The outgoing Commander SNMCMG1, Cdr CJ DAVIES ACMI
MIExpE BSC Royal Navy passed
the command over to CDR s.g. Henrik Holck Rasmussen Royal Danish Navy.
The change of
command ceremony took
place in
Copenhagen
on 13 January upon reassembly of the group following Christmas Leave.
The Flagship
is the Danish
HDMS THETIS, who took over
from the British
HMS ROEBUCK.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 is an integral part of the
NATO Response Force (NRF) and will consists of the following units:
HDMS Thetis (Flagship-Denmark)
BNS Bellis (Belgium)
HMS Brocklesby (UK)
FGS Sulzbach Rosenberg (Germany)
LVNS Talivaldis (Latvia)
HNLMS Makkum (The Netherlands)
The ceremony was attended by Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope (GBR–N), COM MCC
Northwood and Rear Admiral Nils Wang Christensen (DNK-N), Admiral Danish
Fleet – ADF. Each SNMCMG1 unit provided 20 members of the ships’
companies for a parade platoon and one flag bearer.
The 2009 schedule includes several Live Mine Clearance Operations in the
North Sea as well as participation in several exercises
including the NRF Live Exercise Loyal Mariner 2009/Loyal Ledger 2009.