The ceremony passed off on the flight deck of the SNMG2 flagship, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95). The occasion marked the top of a one-year rotation beneath U.S. command, as U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Scott Sciretta was relieved by UK Commodore Paul Stroude.
“While this will likely mark a change within the management of SNMG2, it is usually an indication of continuity – a continuity underpinned by the three many years this Process Group has patrolled these waters, as we have a good time the passing of management from one NATO Ally to a different,” stated Vice Admiral Utley. “It’s a reminder of the promise that exists on the coronary heart of the Alliance: that in our collective power lies the assure of peace and stability for all our nations.”
The Mediterranean process group additionally will get a brand new UK flagship, Royal Navy Sort 45 destroyer HMS Duncan.
SNMG2 is certainly one of 4 standing naval process teams, which comprise NATO’s Very Excessive Readiness Joint Process Power (Maritime).
The U.S. took command of SNMG2 a couple of months after the duty group was activated as a Very-Excessive-Readiness Joint Process Power Maritime Unit (VJTF(M)) for the primary time in a deter and protection position in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. was the primary nation to command the duty group beneath this assemble for your entire tour of obligation.
“One of many first challenges we solved within the first few months was to find out what can be our operational posture as a VJTF(M),” stated Rear Admiral Sciretta. “What I used to be extraordinarily impressed with then, and proceed to be impressed with now’s the professionalism, dedication, capabilities and regional expertise of all of the Allied ships and crews we labored with. They made it simpler to outline our new posture. One of many ways in which we modified the construction of the duty group was to disaggregate it all through the Mediterranean to have the ability to enhance our protection space. This enabled us to multi-task and focus extra on vigilant surveillance actions and real-world responses whereas nonetheless sustaining a wholesome dose of coaching and growth workouts together with theatre safety cooperation engagements.”
All through the twelve-month deployment, SNMG2 confronted inside and exterior challenges. As they discovered methods to function beneath the brand new assemble, the subsequent problem was to extend the extent of interoperability amongst Allied ships.
“I feel there was a sure degree of operational belief that wanted to be established once we first began,” stated Sciretta. “However as we skilled and operated by way of workouts and surveillance actions, we had been in a position to efficiently enhance that belief and consequently our interoperability. We bought to the purpose the place Turkish and Italian helicopters might land on U.S. flight decks, U.S. ships might conduct underway replenishments with Greek oilers, small-boat operations had been performed between Italian and French vessels and so forth. Because the interoperability and communications improved, I felt extra assured in disaggregating the duty group with a view to enhance our protection of the area.”
The give attention to interoperable actions all through the deployment was an over-arching theme for nearly all of SNMG2’s Allied interactions. Whereas patrolling the Mediterranean area, SNMG2’s items interchanged amongst Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Türkiye, the UK and the U.S. Moreover, the duty group participated in a myriad of NATO and Allied nation workouts to incorporate Dynamic Mariner/Mavi Bolina, Niriis, Dynamic Manta and Mare Aperto. SNMG2 additionally labored with completely different high-value unit teams such because the Harry S. Truman Provider Strike Group, Cavour Provider Strike Group, George H.W. Bush Provider Strike Group and the Juan Carlos I Amphibious Assault ship.
“To say we elevated our interoperable capabilities all year long can be an understatement,” stated Sciretta. “Interoperability and interchangeability should be the norm going ahead with a view to maintain army benefit and shield the strategic sea strains of communication within the maritime area.”
UK Commodore Stroude and his multi-national workers have now accomplished a complete handover of accountability, with a seamless transition of command from Rear Admiral Sciretta. Seven NATO nations contribute officers to the SNMG2 workers, making certain a pool of expertise and expertise. The brand new flagship, HMS Duncan, is a specialist air-defence vessel, and one of many UK’s most superior and succesful warships.
Throughout the subsequent six months, greater than twelve main warships from eight contributing NATO nations will take part within the process group, providing a formidable, fully-integrated multi-national power, able to speedy intervention throughout a broad spectrum of army operations, and highlighting the power of the alliance’s unity, interoperability and warfighting capabilities.
Following the formal handover ceremony, Cdre Stroude stated, “taking command of this NATO process group is a large privilege however an unlimited accountability, made extra so since Russia’s unlawful and brutal invasion of Ukraine final 12 months. When coupled with an ever-present terrorist risk, we face among the gravest safety challenges, and world peace and stability can’t be taken without any consideration. Nevertheless, nothing illustrates the power, resolve and functionality of the NATO alliance greater than process teams equivalent to this. Beneath my command, this group of top notch ships will work tirelessly to ship reassurance and safety to our regional allies and companions, whereas sustaining the aptitude to discourage any potential adversary. If mandatory, we’re able to defend NATO territorial integrity.”
Cdre Stroude went on to say, “I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Admiral Sciretta, who inherited the command of SNMG2 at an extremely difficult time within the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For a full 12 months he has relentlessly delivered on operations to supply safety and deter aggression, whereas doing enormous quantities to boost the readiness, interoperability and tactical flexibility of SNMG2.”
SNMG2 is a multinational built-in process group that initiatives a continuing and visual reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion afloat. This steady maritime functionality performs a variety of duties, together with workouts and real-world operations in durations of disaster and battle.
SNMG2 is certainly one of 4 Standing Naval Forces that function beneath NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom.
