SNMG1 Current News

2 Apr 12
SNMG meets Big E

The many risks to maritime safety and security in and around the vital sea lanes of communications keep NATO’s navies busy. It is therefore no surprise that the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1(SNMG1) met with the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. SNMG1 currently patrols the waters in the western Mediterranean Sea in support of NATO’s long-running operation against terrorism Active Endeavour (OAE).

“Although it is clear that OAE demands considerable attention, as commander of a NATO immediate reaction force, I am always keen to boost overall readiness of the Group and her ships and check and further build interoperability of NATO’s navies and forces. This encounter allowed me to do all three in one go”, explains Commodore Ben Bekkering, Commander of SNMG1. “In an intensive and rewarding day, we managed to train long range and short range surface surveillance, had a chance to participate in the flying programme of the carrier and received fuel from USNS Supply. The latter was a true support to OAE, as it allows us to remain at sea for a prolonged period.”

The Big E, as the USS Enterprise is affectionately known, is on her last deployment. The ship is over 50 years old, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, starred in the famous movie ‘Top Gun’, has witnessed most if not all crises since the early 1960’s and still delivers an impressive punch. “Once the carrier starts flying, the radar screens very quickly become busy”, says Sergeant Major Eric Brinkman “We were allowed to control some of the aircraft in an air defence exercise. A rare opportunity and the value was further increased by the presence of one of the carriers air intercept officers. We could exchange ideas and procedures and got an excellent insight into how a carrier operates.”

After the nightly refuel, both groups continued on their way, undoubtedly busy for some time to come. SNMG1, now consisting of Flagship HNLMS De Ruyter (NLD), FGS Rheinland Pfalz (GER), HCMS Charlottetown (CAN) and Alvero de Bazan (ESP), will continue her patrol in Operation Active Endeavour. Operation Active Endeavour is an integrated counter-terrorism operation based on collecting and analysing maritime information in order to secure the free use of the sea.

13 Mar 12
NATO’s Standing Naval Group 1 successfully simulates response to a multi-threat scenario

HNLMS De Ruyter, one of the ships currently sailing with SNMG1, tested her capabilities in an exercise scenario near Greece. The scenario mirrors the threats warships have to deal with in real life and is a mix of low and high intensity warfare.

March 7th, early in the morning, HNLMS de Ruyter arrives in a patrol area in the north of Crete, Greece. Intelligence reports indicate that the criminal cartel Kallista inc. intends to organise an illegal shipment of weapons. Kallista has two fighter aircrafts at its disposal, both fitted with air-to-surface missiles. The cartel is willing to proceed with this shipment at any cost.

HNLMS de Ruyter has taken all necessary precautions to prevent this illegal use of international sea lanes. Tactical readiness is set to maximum. Commodore Ben Bekkering, the Commander of the NATO Response Force ‘Standing NATO Maritime Group 1’ explains: “This multi threat scenario is an excellent training opportunity to maintain our readiness. All conditions are set to test and verify new tactics, procedures and techniques.” Cdre Bekkering is embarked on HNLMS de Ruyter and is supported by an international staff whose mission is to ensure the group’s coordination.

All of a sudden, a small smuggling boat is spotted by the radar operator and identified as hostile. The alarm goes off and within seconds, all battle stations are manned and ready. Almost immediately, grenades are launched followed by rounds of small-calibre artillery. The smuggling boat is neutralised but Kallista is expected to strike back anytime. Before long, an incoming fighter aircraft is detected on the radar. The fighter fires a missile on the NATO warship which responds by launching a medium range surface-to-air missile. The hostile’s incoming missile is dealt with by the ship’s decoy launching system. All threats have been neutralised. Kallista makes a final attempt with a low slow flyer but the Goalkeepers’ weapon system takes him out.

All threats were successfully treated. HNLMS de Ruyter’s commanding officer, Commander Sebo Hofkamp, concludes: “Today we have proven our capability and strengthened our confidence in procedures, equipment and each other.”

21 Jan 11
Surge Operations: NATO Maritime Group begins sweep of Western Mediterranean

NAPLES, Italy - The Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) ended 2010 patrolling the seas protecting shipping from pirates in NATO’s anti-piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield: it now brings its strength to bear in support of Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s anti-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean Sea. Closely supported by NATO’s E3-A Component (Airborne Early Warning and Control Force) and with the additional support of other Mediterranean-deployed NATO assets, SNMG1 will carry out rigorous deterrent patrolling in the Western and Central Mediterranean areas as part of NATO’s determination to deny terrorists any capability for maneuver at sea. SNMG1 is a multinational, integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force; it is currently commanded by Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi (Italian Navy) from his flagship ITS Etna . The group also contains
German Frigate FGS Luebeck. The Spanish Oiler ESPS Marques De La Ensenada will be participating in associated support to SNMG1 only for the surge operation. Press Release

15 Dec 10

Italian Admiral Assumes Command of NATO Maritime Task Group

Today, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, Italian Navy, assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) from Commodore Christian Rune, Royal Danish Navy. Commodore Rune has been in command of SNMG1 since January 2010. For part of the year SNMG1 has been operating off the coast of Somalia for NATO’s counter piracy mission - Operation Ocean Shield. The Group also completed NATO exercise, Brilliant Mariner in European waters, before taking part in the celebration of the Canadian Navy Centennial. Press release. View Photos

13 Dec 10
NATO Counter Piracy Commander Passes Helm to His Successor

Over the weekend Commodore Christian Rune (Royal Danish Navy) the Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) handed over command of NATO’s counter piracy Task Force of warships operating off the coast of Somalia, to Commodore Michiel Hijmans (Royal Netherlands Navy). Commodore Hijmans is the Commander of SNMG2. The handover took place onboard Danish warship Esbern Snare in the Southern Red Sea Press Release

09 Dec 10

Dutch Submarine Awarded for Service in Operation Ocean Shield

Her Netherlands Majesty’s Ship Zeeleeuw, the submarine which has participated in Operation Ocean Shield, arrived in Lisbon to report on her mission. This opportunity was seized to recognize the service of the crew and award NATO’s Non‐Article Five Africa Medal. The Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon, Lieutenant General Philippe Stoltz, along with his Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Fernando Manuel de Macedo Pires da Cunha, boarded the submarine in Oeiras and sailed with the crew to Rocha Londe de Obidos in Lisbon. This enabled the JFC Lisbon Commander to visit with the Commander of HNLMS Zeeleeuw, Lieutenant Commander Erwin Ruijsink, and the sailors aboard while experiencing some of the unique atmosphere that is involved with serving on a submarine. Full story

07 Dec 10

Italian Warship ITS Bersagliere Sails Home After Taking Part in NATO's Counter Piracy Mission

Italian warship ITS BERSAGLIERE is on her way home after completing NATO counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. The ship and her crew have spent more than two months helping to ensure the safe passage of merchant ships transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. By patrolling this busy sea area, BERSAGLIERE has helped to prevent pirate attacks from taking place. Press Release

06 Dec 10

US Warship Kauffman Sails for Home After Completing NATO Counter Piracy Operations

US warship KAUFFMAN has set sail for home after completing more than 4 months on NATO’s counter piracy operation ‘Ocean Shield’ off the Horn of Africa. During the last 4 months USS KAUFFMAN disrupted 4 pirate attacks on merchant shipping and disarmed 17 suspected pirates in the process. Following one attack on 1 November 2010, KAUFFMAN came to the aid of the crew from merchant vessel Go Trader, after the master put out a ‘may day’ call to say his ship was being hijacked by armed men. USS KAUFFMAN raced to the scene, and after conducting a full search of the ship, they were able to confirm that the pirates had fled. Only then did the crew feel safe enough to leave their “safe room”

Press Release.

02 Dec 10

HMS Montrose Heads Home after 100 Days in NATO Counter Piracy Mission

Yesterday, UK warship HMS MONTROSE left NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield after conducting 3 months of counter piracy operations. She is now making her way back to her homeport of Plymouth and a well deserved Christmas leave. During her deployment, MONTROSE disrupted several piracy attacks and disarmed many suspected pirates. One such incident took place on 25 October. Pirates had attacked and boarded the MV BELUGA FORTUNE as the crew escaped into a safe room where they hid from the pirates. MONTROSE, being the closest warship, sailed more than 700 nautical miles for more than 24 hours to assist. When they arrived at the Beluga Fortune’s position, MONTROSE dispatched a boarding team to search the vessel. After verifying that there were no pirates onboard the vessel was declared safe for the crew to leave the safe room to recommence their voyage. Press Release

29 Nov 10

NATO Flagship Esbern Snare Secures Merchant Ship after Pirate Attack

Over the weekend, a boarding team from the NATO flagship HDMS Esbern Snare conducted a search of the merchant ship MCL Bremen to ensure that no pirates were on board after an attack by pirates. On the morning of 26th November the master of the Antigua and Barbuda flagged MCL Bremen issued a distress call stating that his ship was under attack from pirates. As he gathered the crew in a safe room, the master saw some pirates climb on board his vessel. With the crew in the safe room, the master was unable to verify whether the suspected pirates were still on board or they had left the vessel. Esbern Snare raced to the Bremen’s position and upon arriving conducted a security sweep. The boarding team from Esbern Snare were then able to determine that the pirates had left the merchant vessel. Having secured the ship, the Danish boarding party alerted the crew who were at last able to leave the safe room. “Even though we are doing our utmost to prevent the pirates from attacking merchant shipping in the area, the immensity of the Indian ocean means that we are unable to cover all of the shipping lanes. In this case the availability of a safe room on board Bremen ensured the safety of the crew until we were able to respond” said Cdre Christian Rune, Royal Danish Navy, Commanding Officer of NATO counter piracy operation, Ocean Shield.

24 Nov 10

NATO Warship Esbern Snare Forces Pirates to Abandon Attack

During the early hours of yesterday morning the master of bulk carrier MV Carmencita put out a may-day call to say his ship was being attacked by a group of pirates in the Indian Ocean. Danish warship Esbern Snare – the flag ship for NATO’s counter piracy operation, ‘Ocean Shield’ responded immediately by launching her helicopter to over fly the scene and let the pirates know that a NATO warship was on her way to assist the terrified crew. The master relayed to HDMS Esbern Snare that his crew would be going to their safe room, while he tried to use evasion techniques to fend off the attackers - who had fired rocket propelled grenades and AK-47 gunfire at the ship.

Press Release

24 Nov 10

NATO Warship HNLMS Amsterdam Disrupts another Pirate Skiff

Yesterday, the Dutch warship AMSTERDAM part of NATO’s counter-piracy operation OCEAN SHIELD, detected a pirate skiff while patrolling along the east coast of Somalia. AMSTERDAM’s helicopter detected the skiff as it was speeding down the coastline. Upon closer inspection, it was established that the attack-skiff was rigged with two powerful engines and had 7 suspected pirates on board with pirate paraphernalia clearly visible.

Press release. View photos

24 Nov 10

NATO Warship destroys pirate boat

As her deployment in the Somali Basin draws to a close, British warship HMS Montrose, operating as part of NATO’s counter piracy operation, Ocean Shield, left a parting shot with Somali pirates. During one of her dawn patrols off the Somali coast, HMS Montrose’s Lynx helicopter spotted a pirate whaler anchored off a pirate known camp and it was quickly identified as the whaler from MV Zouflecar – which has been acting as a pirate ‘mother ship’ since it was taken by pirates on 3 November 2010. Press release.

19 Nov 10

NATO Warship Amsterdam Disrupts Pirates in the Indian Ocean
This morning whilst on sea patrol near the pirate camps on the east coast of Somalia, a helicopter from Dutch warship HNLMS Amsterdam, who is operating as part of NATO’s counter-piracy mission - Operation Ocean Shield, identified an ’attack group’ of suspected pirates. Equipment, such as ladders and weapons were clearly visible inside the pirate ‘whaler’ and two attack skiffs. As the Dutch helicopter fired warning shots, HNLMS Amsterdam’s Commanding Officer gave the order to launch the ship’s boarding teams to intercept the suspected pirates. After throwing their pirate equipment over board, the gang surrendered and were taken to the warship for questioning and collection of evidence. The whaler was destroyed by the NATO warship to avoid it being used for piracy again.
Press Release

15 Nov 10

NATO warship Esbern Snare Disrupts Pirates in the Gulf of Aden

In the early hours of 15 November while patrolling in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, Danish warship HDMS ESBERN SNARE, detected a suspected pirate skiff loitering in the vicinity of merchant traffic lanes. Upon closer inspection, the crew established that 7 persons were on board the skiff and a pirate ladder was clearly visible. ESBERN SNARE launched their boarding team in order to intercept and disrupt the suspected pirates. Press Release View video

14 Nov 10

NATO Warship RFA Fort Victoria Disrupts Pirates

Yesterday while patrolling the West Indian Ocean between the Somali Coast and the Seychelles, the bridge crew on the UK ship, RFA FORT VICTORIA received a call from a Seychelles fishing vessel that had sighted a possible pirate vessel. The fishing vessel had spotted a suspicious vessel with an unusually large crew and a skiff onboard. FORT VICTORIA intercepted the suspicious vessel and identified it as being a whaler often used by pirates in the Indian Ocean. Therefore it was decided to board the whaler and investigate further. Press Release

05 Nov 10

Dutch submarine Zeeleeuw Completes NATO Counter Piracy Mission

For the past 2 months Dutch submarine HNLMS Zeeleeuw (Sealion) has been part of NATO’s counter piracy mission, code-named Operation Ocean Shield. The submarine has been patrolling off the coast of Somalia, gathering intelligence about the modern day pirates that prowl the Indian Ocean in search of merchant ships to hijack. Able to operate in shallow waters, Zeeleeuw has been able to monitor the pirate camps that operate along the coast and pass information to the maritime forces operating out at sea. Speaking about Zeeleeuw’s contribution to Operation Ocean Shield, Rear Admiral Hank Ort, who is the Chief of Staff at NATO HQ Northwood, said “NATO’s counter-piracy mission has been strengthened by the presence of a Dutch submarine. The intelligence she was able to provide contributed to the identification and suppression of known pirate groups”. As well as a submarine, NATO currently has five warships in Ocean Shield. The warships work with the other maritime forces, such as the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) and the EU’s Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) to deter and disrupt acts of piracy off the Horn of Africa. View Pictures V iew video Press release

01 Nov 10

NATO warship USS Kauffman Assists Ship after Pirate Attack

US warship, USS KAUFFMAN, participating in NATO’s counter piracy operation Ocean Shield, together with a maritime patrol aircraft from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, came to the assistance of merchant vessel ‘Go Trader’ over the weekend after she was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean. The armed pirates had fired on the merchant vessel, before scaling up the side of the ship. The master was able to issue a distress call, before joining his crew in a ‘safe room’. Press Release

27 Oct 10

NATO warship HDMS Esbern Snare Prevents Pirate Atacks off the Coast of Somalia

LONDON: Last night Danish warship Esbern Snare, who is part of NATO’s counter-piracy mission, code-named Operation Ocean Shield, disrupted a group of pirate boats 150 miles off the east coast of Somalia. The ever watchful crew from the Danish warship had sighted the pirates, operating as a group of 2 boats, on the look-out for merchant ships to hijack. As Esbern Snare crept ever closer to the scene, a team of marines from the Danish Special Maritime Insertion Unit prepared for a night time operation to disable the pirate ‘mother ship’. Press Release.

26 Oct 10

NATO Warship HMS Montrose Races to Assist Ship After Pirate Attack

Today British warship HMS Montrose came to the aid of a German owned ship - MV Beluga Fortune after she had been attacked by armed pirates in the Indian Ocean. The Beluga Fortune sent out a „may day‟ to say that she was coming under attack, and that her crew were locking themselves in a safe room or „citadel‟ to try and prevent the pirates from taking them hostage. HMS Montrose, who is part of NATO‟s counter piracy mission, code-named Operation Ocean Shield, was the closest warship, and so raced to the scene to help the terrified crew. The pirates, hearing that HMS Montrose was on her way, abandoned the ship, but not before setting fire to part of the superstructure. As the Beluga Fortune‟s crew had barricaded themselves in, they were unaware if the pirates were still on board or not, and so were very relieved when a team of Royal Marines from HMS Montrose boarded the vessel this afternoon and released them from the safe room. None of the crew were injured. Press Release View Pictures

24 Oct 10

NATO Warship USS Laboon Disrupts Two Groups of Pirates Within Two Days - Gulf of Aden

LONDON: NATO warship USS Laboon, who is operating in the Gulf of Aden as part of NATO’s counter-piracy mission, code-named Operation Ocean Shield, disrupted a group of suspected pirates yesterday. The US warship received a distress call from the master of a merchant vessel who reported that his ship was being fired upon by men in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). As USS Laboon raced to the scene, Indian warship INS Rajput, who was patrolling nearby, also helped to intercept the skiff. Press Release View Pictures

13 Oct 10

NATO Warship HMS Montrose prevents pirate attacks

Today UK warship HMS Montrose, who is part of NATO’s counter piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield off the Horn of Africa, prevented a gang of suspected pirates from prowling in to the Indian Ocean to attack merchant ships. A pirate gang consisting of ten men was seen acting suspiciously near to a known pirate camp off the coast of Somalia. Their boat, loaded with ladders and fuel drums was towing two other smaller vessels that have been traditionally used for pirate attacks against ships

Press Release View pictures

01 Oct 10

NATO Warship HMS Montrose disrupts pirates

Earlier today after only 4 days into her latest NATO counter-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, British navy warship HMS Montrose has disrupted a group of suspected pirates believed to be about to attack a North Korean merchant vessel who was transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Press release View photos

18 Sept 10

NATO Warship USS KAUFFMAN Disrupts Pirates in Gulf of Aden
Yesterday afternoon the helicopter from NATO warship USS KAUFFMAN
located a suspicious skiff with five suspected pirates on board. USS KAUFFMAN is operating as part of NATO’s maritime counter-piracy task force in the Gulf of Aden. As USS KAUFFMAN closed to investigate the skiff, the nearby helicopter of coalition warship ENDURANCE from the Singapore Navy, operating with Combined Task Force 151, also closed to support.

Press Release

11 Sept 10

NATO Warship Esbern Snare Conducts Second Pirate Disruption in 24 hours

LONDON: Early this morning Royal Danish Navy warship HDMS ESBERN SNARE, operating as the Flagship for NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD off the Horn of Africa, disrupted yet another group of suspected pirates preparing to attack innocent merchant vessels transiting in the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. This is the second skiff of suspected pirates that warship ESBERN SNARE has disrupted in the past 24 hours. Press release

View Video

10 Sept 10

NATO warship Esbern Snare Disrupts Piracy in Gulf of Aden

Only two days after the latest pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden, Danish warship ESBERN SNARE disrupted a group of suspected pirates in a skiff believed to be preparing for an attack. The pirates were initially detected by a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. ESBERN SNARE’s helicopter fired warning shots in front of the skiff to force the suspected pirates to stop. The suspected pirates finally stopped after a shot was fired through the bow of the skiff. Prior to ESBERN SNARE’s boarding team arrival, the helicopter crew observed the suspected pirates throwing their attack ladder and weapons, including a rocket propelled grenade overboard. Seven suspected pirates were apprehended and pirate related paraphernalia was confiscated by ESBERN SNARE’s boarding team. Captain Carsten Fjord-Larsen, the Commanding Officer of ESBERN SNARE commented that: “The pirates don’t seem to realise the danger they put themselves in by not complying with our orders. My team did a great job today to safely compel the suspected pirates from attacking high risk merchant vessels transiting in the Gulf of Aden”. Press Release

08 Sept 10

Royal Navy Warship Begins NATO Counter Piracy Operation
Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose has arrived in the Gulf of Aden to take part in Operation Ocean Shield - NATO’s counter piracy mission off the Horn of Africa. As part of the NATO Task Force, HMS Montrose is patrolling the busy shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, with the ship’s crew constantly on the look-out for pirates who prey on the merchant ships that transit the area. As 95% of the world’s trade goes by sea it is crucial that NATO naval forces help to keep the seas safe from acts of piracy. Press Release

31 August 10

NATO, EU and Japanese Forces Prevent Pirate Attack off Africa.
Sunday, a Japanese Maritime Self Defence (JMSDF) maritime patrol aircraft located a pirate skiff with seven suspected pirates on board. The suspected pirates were preparing to attack merchant vessels transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Within minutes a helicopter from the Danish warship ESBERN SNARE from NATO’s counter-piracy task force intercepted the skiff. Subsequently the suspected pirates threw their weapons overboard and surrendered. The Italian warship ITS LIBECCIO from the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy task force sent their helicopter to provide airborne support. The American warship, USS KAUFFMAN who is also in NATO’s counter-piracy operation, codenamed OCEAN SHIELD, closed and boarded the skiff and found a pirate ladder and other pirate related paraphernalia. Press Release

31 August 10

NATO Flagship ESBERN SNARE Disrupts Pirate Attacks in Gulf of Aden.
Saturday, NATO flagship HDMS ESBERN SNARE, in cooperation with international counter-piracy forces successfully disrupted multiple piracy attacks on Panamanian flagged MV Caribbean Carrier and Norwegian flagged Hoegh Oslo who were transiting in the Gulf of Aden. MV Caribbean Carrier was transiting in the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden when she reported being under attack from pirates firing at her. US warship Winston Churchill working for combined coalition forces and Danish Warship ESBERN SNARE, the flagship of NATO’s counter-piracy mission, responded to the call for help. After the pirates broke off the attack a Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) working for EU Naval Forces located and tracked the pirate skiff and observed the pirates now trying to attack another ship, MV Hoegh Oslo. After ESBERN SNARE’s helicopter arriving on scene, the pirate skiff broke off the attack and tried to escape towards Somalia.

Press Release

23 August 10

NATO and Indian Counter-Piracy Task Force Commanders Meet

The Commander of NATO’s counter-piracy task force, Commodore Christian Rune, Royal Danish Navy, met with the Commander of the Indian counter-piracy task group, Captain S. Srikant, Commanding Officer of INS DELHI yesterday. Onboard NATO’s flagship, HDMS ESBERN SNARE, in Salalah, Oman, they discussed developments in counter-piracy tactics and improvements in communications and information sharing between the forces.

Press Release

16 August 10

NATO / Japan Cooperation in Gulf of Aden Disrupts Pirate Attack
The NATO warship HNLMS DE ZEVEN PROVINCÏEN, working in conjunction with a Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) helicopter disrupted a single skiff pirate attack on MV ANANGEL INNOVATION this morning. MV ANANGEL INNOVATION, a Greek-flagged ship, reported being approached by a small skiff while transiting eastbound in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Commodore Christian Rune, Royal Danish Navy, Commander, Task Force 508, stated: “The helo and ship crews from JMSDF MURASAME and HNLMS DE ZEVEN PROVINCÏEN responded magnificently in disrupting another piracy attack in the IRTC. The cooperation between Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces and NATO is proof of the commitment by the international community to establish a secure maritime environment in the Horn of Africa region”. Press Release

9 August 10

USS KAUFFMAN Prevents Pirate Attack in Gulf of Aden
Early this morning, USS KAUFFMAN’s helicopter prevented a pirate attack on MV ICE EXPLORER transiting the Gulf of Aden in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). Kauffman was conducting routine air and surface searches for suspect vessels in the area when MV ICE EXPLORER reported a possible pirate attack. USS KAUFFMAN immediately redirected their helicopter to the merchant ship whereupon the pirates broke off the attack and surrendered. KAUFFMAN’s helicopter crew observed the pirates dumping weapons and other objects in the water. USS KAUFFMAN approached the pirate skiff and her boarding team confiscated some pirate paraphernalia.
Press Release

6 August 10

NATO warships meet for counter piracy mission handover

Cdre Christian Rune Whilst NATO warships continue to patrol in the Gulf of Aden in the counter
piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield, the two flagships from Standing NATO
Maritime Groups 1 (SNMG1) and 2 (SNMG2) met in Djibouti for an operational
handover. Since the 30th of June Commodore Michiel Hijmans (Royal Netherlands Navy) has been in charge of the NATO counter piracy Task Force and today he passed this command to Commodore Christian Rune (Royal Danish Navy).

Press Release

30 June 10

NATO helps Canada celebrate Navy centenary
Yesterday, SNMG1 participated in the International Fleet Review in Halifax, Canada where the SNMG1 units were anchored together with ships from other nations. The Review was part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the Canadian Navy. The ships were inspected by Queen Elizabeth II. For the last 14 days, SNMG1 has participated in the Canadian-hosted exercise HALCYON RENDEZVOUS with participating forces from the UK Carrier Strike Group, the US Destroyer Squadron 24, units from Canada and the Netherlands. The exercise focused on conventional- as well as asymmetrical warfare and counter piracy.“After a great exercise I am proud to have SNMG1 participate in the International Fleet Review – meeting and exercising with units from many countries and then celebrating the Canadian Navy’s 100 year anniversary in port”, says CDRE C. Rune.

30 June 10

NATO’s “Africa” Medal presented to first recipient
During a visit to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), who are currently in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Deputy Commander AMC Northwood, Vice Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer presented NATO’s “Africa” medal to the Commander of SNMG1, Commodore Christian Rune, (Royal Danish Navy).
Cdre Rune was the first recipient of the medal which will be presented to all personnel who have served in NATO’s counter piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden. Press Release

28 May 10

NATO ships arrive in Canadian waters
NATO’s Standing Maritime Group One (SNMG1) was joined by HMCS TORONTO as they arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland on Friday 28 May. SNMG1 has sailed across the Atlantic to Canadian waters in order to take part in the Canadian exercise Halcyon RV and the International Fleet Review in Halifax and other celebrations of the centennial of the Canadian Navy. Press Release