Weilheim joins the NATO organisation

On Monday, 16 September 2024, the minehunting vessel "Weilheim", which is part of the 3rd Minehunting Squadron, will leave its home port of Kiel. Together with the tender "Werra", the "Weilheim" will provide the German contribution to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG 1) for the North and Baltic Seas over the next six months. For Corvette Captain Maximilian Hirnstein, this is the first major voyage in his role as commander of the "Weilheim". Until now, unfortunately, little has been known about the activities of the permanent mine defence unit SNMMCMG 1. It is important to remember that this is one of NATO's four permanent maritime task forces, which is also under German command. Frigate Captain Artur Krüger, as "Com", uses the "Werra" as a flagship in the North Atlantic as well as the North and Baltic Seas. So far, little has been heard of the successful cooperation with the various nations, including in the removal of contaminated sites and mines. It's a good thing that German reinforcements are now on the way.