“These NATO ships in Klaipėda is another example of allied efforts to ensure the security of our state and region and the assurance of collective defence. We are very happy that the allies have responded to the developments in the security situation in the region very seriously and have made concrete steps. The enhancement of air, naval and land components in the region is a demonstration of Alliance solidarity and commitment to collective defence,” Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said at a formal welcome ceremony for the Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group One in Klaipėda on May 2.
The formal ceremony held in front of the support vessel HNoMS VALKYRIEN of the Norwegian Navy was also attended by Rear Admiral Robert Kamensky, NATO Allied Maritime Command Deputy Chief of Staff Submarines and Commander NATO Submarine Command, Commander Eirik Otterbu of the Royal Norwegian Navy, Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Rear Admiral Kęstutis Macijauskas, and other guests.
Led by Commander Eirik Otterbu (NOR N), SNMCMG1 is currently composed of the Norwegian support vessel HNoMS VALKYRIEN (flagship), which will lead the Dutch mine hunter HNLMS MAKKUM, the Belgian mine hunter BNS BELLIS, the Norwegian minesweeper HNoMS OTRA, and the Estonian mine hunter ENS ADMIRAL COWAN.
During the Baltic deployment, the ships will participate in a robust program of operations at sea, numerous port visits, and the international Historic Ordnance Disposal operation OPEN SPIRIT, hosted by Latvia later this month.
During the port visit, Rear Admiral Kamensky and the SNMCMG1 staff will meet with numerous Lithuanian military and civilian officials, to include the Commander of the Lithuanian Navy and the Mayor of Klaipeda. The ships’ crews will participate in various activities with their Lithuanian hosts.
Various cultural activities have also been scheduled during the rest of the time of the port visit. Personnel of the Lithuanian Navy will meet their SNMCMG1 counterparts in a friendly soccer match on Saturday.
People of Klaipėda will be invited to tour the SNMCMG1 ships moored at the Cruiser and Warship pier of Klaipėda on Saturday and Sunday from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m.
BACKGROUND
Just six months ago, SNMCMG1 marked 40 years of providing mine counter-measures capability for NATO Response Force (NRF) and non-NRF operations.
SNMCMG1 was formed in the Belgian port of Ostend May 11, 1973. The Group was under the command of NATO’s English Channel Force Commander. The motivation behind this group’s creation was primarily to ensure safety of navigation around the ports of the English Channel and northwest Europe.
During its history, the Group’s name changed its name several times to reflect its expanding area of operation to meet new threats and security challenges. Today the Group has a global reach, capable of operating nearly anywhere in the world.
In 2006, the group was given its current name. Like its Mediterranean counterpart, SNMCMG2, the command of the group is handed over to a senior officer appointed by one of the participating nations on a rotational basis.
SNMCMG1’s mission is to provide continuous and far-reaching maritime mine countermeasures capability for operations in peacetime and periods of conflict. The group is therefore engaged in search and disposal operations within NATO but also with NATO partners (Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue, and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative).
Lithuania assigned its first ship, the Sūduvis (M52) mine countermeasures vessel of the Lithuanian Navy, to SNMCMG1 in 2007 after becoming a member of NATO. Lithuania will commit the Jotvingis (N42) command and supply ship as SNMCMG1 flagship from August 2014 till the end of the year. SNMCMG1 will be headed by Commander Giedrius Premeneckas of the Lithuanian Navy for the period.
