“It has been an honour for me to be in command of SNMCMG1 since mid-June 2020 and I am proud that we have completed successfully all the tasks set to SNMCMG1 by the Allied Maritime Command leadership. With all respect, I hand over the SNMCMG1 command to Commander Jan Wijchers, and I am confident that the readiness and professional skills of the SNMCMG1 under his command will continue to meet the highest standards,” said Commander Audrius Venckunas via a video teleconference.
“Reassurance in the eastern Baltic will be one of our main tasks. Besides this it is also important to show we are still able to have a high readiness force during the pandemic we are experiencing right now,” said the incoming SNMCMG1 Commander.
On the change of command occasion, NATO flag was officially removed during a ceremony from the former flagship, LNS Jotvingis (N42) piered at Klaipėda, after heading SNMCMG1 for the past six month. Cdr A. Venckūnas presented the flag to Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Captain (Navy) Giedrius Premeneckas who extended gratitude to him and the SNMCMG1 staff for the excellent performance of international duties.
LNS Jotvingis (N42) command and supply ship was in command of SNMCMG1 composed of seven allied ships from mid-June 2020 to January 14, 2021. Over that time the unit took part in seven mine countermeasures operations resulting in the total seafloor area of 125 square nautical miles swept for naval mines and 73 pieces of historical ordnance detected. SNMCMG1 also attended nine maritime drills with allied ships to maintain the high level of professional skills and coordination. Also, eighteen foreign port visits were made to showcase NATO solidarity, readiness, and activity in the region.
Officer of the Royal Netherlands Navy Commander Jan Wijchers will command SNMCMG1 from the flagship BNS Godetia of the Belgian Navy.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) is the main maritime rapid response force platform of NATO. Maritime NATO allies assign mine countermeasures and supply ships, staff, and the commander to carry out the SNMCMG1 tasks on a 6-12 months rotational basis. The unit maintains readiness to deploy o the area of operation, which ensures a rapid and efficient completion of NATO tasks.
SNMCMG1 provides the Alliance with a standing maritime capability for exercises or operations. The unit operates in the Northern European waters where it neutralises mines at sea, trains in other maritime training events of NATO allies and exercises with NATO partners. The SNMCMG1 can also be invoked to respond to crises, to demonstrate NATO presence in the region and solidarity, to conduct port calls to NATO allies and partners.
