Review: Cold response ended

The ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) completed their participation in the Norwegian-led multinational exercise Cold Response 22 on 1 April.

Over 30,000 soldiers, 50 surface and underwater vehicles and 200 aircraft from 27 countries took part in the exercise. The exercise demonstrated the flexibility, capabilities and operational readiness in the challenging Arctic environment of Northern Norway. The SNMG1, led by Commodore A. van de Sande of the Royal Netherlands Navy, consists of the flagship frigate "De Zeven Provincien", the German task force provider "Berlin", the Danish frigate "Peter Willemoes", the German corvette "Erfurt" and the Royal Navy frigate "Northumberland".

The ships of SNMG1 supported the amphibious operations with air defence, fire support from the sea and anti-submarine warfare in the area. SNMCMG1 provided support in mine-prone areas as part of the exercise scenario. The staff embarked additional officers from the Finnish, Norwegian and US navies, who together achieved excellent results in MCM operations. This unit is currently led by Commander Ott Laanemets and consists of the Latvian "Virsaitis", the Belgian "Lobelia", the German "Bad Bevensen", the Estonian "Sakala", the British "Grimsby", the Dutch "Schiedam" and the Norwegian "Hinnoy". The ships of both NATO formations are now on their way to a deployment in the Baltic Sea to take part in joint training and visit ports of allies and partner nations.

Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) is one of NATO's standing maritime crisis response forces. SNMG1 consists of four to six destroyers and frigates. The establishment of the Standing Group was decided by NATO in December 1967 and activated in January 1968 as Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT). In January 2005, the organisation was renamed Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. Its mission is to provide NATO with an immediate operational response capability. The Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) is a permanent NATO mine defence unit. It was known as MCMFORNORTH since 3 September 2001 and was renamed Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 on 1 January 2005.

Source: military leak