Lt. Cynthia Glock, Deputy Chief Public Affairs for
the French MARFOR, asked VAdm Canova a few questions onboard FS Tonnerre.
25 September 12
NATO launches
Exercise Noble mariner 12 in Toulon, France
This
week, NATO launches Exercise Noble Mariner, which will run until
7 October. This major naval exercise is designed to ensure that
NATO’s Response Force (NRF) is fully prepared to respond as
required to operations or crisis situations, wherever in the
world they occur.
25 Sep 12
SNMCMG1
participates in exercise DANEX-NOCO
Continuing from port of Ghent, FGS
Fulda, part of SNMCMG1, sailed to Frederikshavn (Denmark) and
joined DANEX-NOCO (Danish Exercise-Northern Coast), a
multi-national live exercise conducted at sea around the
northern parts of Denmark, which provided excellent exercise
opportunities offering a wide span of training activities for
maritime units. Amongst more than 20 participating units were
frigates, corvettes, MCMVs, fast patrol boats, several support
ships and various types of aircraft
Read
full article.
20 Sep 12
NATO Commander Reflects on 100
Days in Counter Piracy
On 6th June, Commodore Ben Bekkering took over as Commander
of NATO’s counter piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield. Today,
with ships patrolling the shipping corridor in the Gulf of Aden and
present in front of the Somali coast, the Task Force remains ready
to prevent successful pirate attacks. Since then two merchant ships
have been attacked by pirates however neither were successful. This
represents a significant decline compared to previous periods. More
importantly, no merchant ships have been hijacked by pirates since
May. This does not mean that the pirates don’t try. On two occasions
over the Summer, they managed to hijack a dhow which could have been
used as a mothership from which to launch attacks. On both occasions
the pirates were disrupted by the NATO warships, HNLMS Evertsen and
HNLMS Rotterdam but they still hold seven ships and 177 crewmembers
hostage.
News Release
17 Sep 12
NATO Mine Countermeasures
Capabilities: a pivotal Feature for the Alliance
On
Sunday the 16th of September Rear Admiral Hank Ort, Chief of Staff
of the Allied Maritime Command in Northwood visited the Standing
NATO Mine Counter Measure Group 1 (SNMCMG1) during the port visit in
Oslo, Norway. Rear Admiral Ort congratulated them with the
achievements of the group during the Danish-German led exercise
Danex-Noco, where 7 historical explosive ordnances were taken out of
sea lanes in the west Baltic.
Read full article
14 Sep 12
MC Northwood becomes the parental HQ for all NATO
Standing Maritime Groups
As
the NATO Command Structure Reform continues to progress, another step
has been taken to merge two Maritime Headquarters into one. All four
groups of the Standing Naval Forces are under administrative command of
the Maritime Command in Northwood (UK) now. The groups include two
Standing NATO Maritime Groups (SNMG), consisting of frigates and other
major warships and two groups of Standing NATO Mine Counter Measure
Groups (SNMCMG).
The
reform of NATO’s Command Structure was launched at the Lisbon Summit in
November 2010 and the model and geographical footprint were approved by
defence ministers in June 2011. Operational responsibilities currently
held by both Maritime Command Naples and Maritime Command Northwood will
be transferred to one single Maritime Command (MARCOM). The process is
well underway and will culminate with the handover of Operation Active
Endeavour from Naples to Northwood in March 2013.
Read full News Release
13 Sep 12
NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 participates in
exercise DANEX-NOCO
The
vessels assigned to SNMCMG1 are currently participating in a large
Danish-German led exercise organised in the Western Baltic Sea. The
participating units are training together to face an emerging conflict
situation. SNMCMG1 units are training alongside NATO partners such as
Sweden, Finland and Russia. The goal of the
exercise is to train participating units to cooperate in coastal
operations in an ‘out of area’ and unstable environment.
In
order to deal with this simulated crisis, almost 50 naval vessels are
divided into two task forces, each with its own chain of command. The
first week consists of planned exercises in order to ‘synchronise’
each participant’s operational procedures. During week two, which has
just started, the participants are no longer informed of the scenario’s
evolution and have to adapt to the rapidly unfolding situation.
Read
full story
6 Sep 12
NATO Flagship offers medical assistance to Somali
people
On Sept. 3, the NATO flagship HNLMS Rotterdam was able to deliver
medical assistance off
the northeast coast of Somalia, while conducting its counter piracy
mission in Operation Ocean Shield. Shortly after sunrise, Rotterdam
anchored a few miles off the coast near the village of Bandar Murcayo
and deployed a medical team and improvised facilities via landing craft.
As the craft approached the coastline, the villagers used small boats to
reach the medical team aboard the landing craft, where they were able to
receive basic medical examinations and assistance. The following day,
the flagship moved to the coast off Xabo and provided similar medical
assistance for the people there.
During the two-day operation, the medical team provided assistance to
over 150 villagers. “During these medical visits we saw a lot of
villagers with a variety of medical issues” said Surgeon Capt. Chris
Bleeker, the anaesthetist on board the flagship who led the deployed
medical team. “Some people were able to be treated fully; others were
offered partial treatment within the facilities available. All the
villagers were happy to receive medical attention, some for the first
time ever, and all went back home smiling”, said Capt. Bleeker.
News Release
3 Sep 12
THE BIG THREE COUNTER-PIRACY TASK FORCES URGE SHIP OWNERS TO KEEP UP
THEIR GUARD
NATO’s
Operation Ocean Shield, European Union Naval Force Somalia - Operation
Atalanta and Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) - the big three - call
upon the shipping industry to continue to take anti-piracy measures
despite the current downward trend in piracy events. In a recent report
published by the International Maritime Bureau it was announced that
there was a 54% drop in global piracy during the first half of 2012. One
of the key contributors to this welcome development was the fall in both
Somali hijackings and attacks. There are many factors which have led to
this, two of which were the work of military forces in the region and
self-protection measures taken by commercial shipping.
News Release
30 Aug 12
NATO Group Visits the port of Ghent
The Mine Countermeasures (MCM) group paid a visit to the port of Ghent.
The commanding officers were personally welcomed by the Port Captain
Dirk Vernaeve. The MCM vessels in return held ´open ship´ to give the
inhabitants of Ghent the opportunity to board the vessels and learn
about the Navy
life first hand. To conclude the weekend a large fire exercise was held.
During the exercise the civilian emergency services and ship’s crews
worked closely together to extinguish the exercise fire. On Monday
morning the ships left for sea after a very successful weekend.
29 Aug 12
Olympic "Games Maker" remembers a "superb experience"
As the Paralympic Games start, WO Ali Henicher who is Head of the French
National Support Element in Atlantic Building reflects on his time as a
“games maker” for the Olympic Games. WO Henicher submitted an online
application in June 2010 to become a games maker, he was interviewed in
June 2011 and shortly after was told he’d been successful. During the
Games, WO Henicher was based at the fencing arena in the ExCel Centre
where he was part of a team of 15 looking after the all the fencing
equipment and area. He said, “ it was a superb experience to be part of
the Olympics.
Working in the fencing arena gave me the opportunity to see some first
class fencing as well as
talk to some of the coaches.” But it wasn’t all work, WO Henicher was
able to see some judo, table
tennis, boxing and wrestling as well as the final of the men’s handball
competition which France won!
28 Aug 12
Counter Piracy “Big Three” Meet At Sea
On
24 August the Force Commanders of the three international Counter-Piracy
task forces, NATO Operation Ocean Shield, the EU Naval Force, Operation
Atalanta and Combined Maritime Force (CMF)met on board the EU NAVFOR
flagship to exchange experiences and coordinate the fight against
piracy. The flagships, ITS San Giusto (EU NAVFOR), HNLMS Rotterdam
(NATO) and the ROKS Wang Geon (CMF) met in the Gulf of Aden to allow the
three Force Commanders to meet face to face. NATO Commander Commodore
Ben Bekkering and CMF Commander Rear Admiral Anho Chung were welcomed
by EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino aboard the
San Giusto. The three Counter Piracy forces communicate and coordinate
their actions on a daily basis in order to enhance their capability end
effectiveness in deterring, disrupting and counteracting piracy in the
area of operation. Although modern means of communications allow
reliable long distance exchanges of information and a continuous flow of
communications, face to face meetings are still very important.
Therefore, cross-deck meetings are organised regularly in addition to
electronic forms of communication.
28 Aug 12
SNMCMG1 Ends Operation Beneficial Cooperation
With A Celebration
During
the last two weeks SNMCMG1 has participated in Beneficial Cooperation
off the coast of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium. The
NATO participation has been very successful, 16 historical ordnances
have been cleared from the continental shelf. A very unique explosion
took place on the 23rd of August, the HNLMS Willemstad
countermined the 1000th ordnance since the beginning of Beneficial
Coordination in 2005. Achieving this milestone called for a small
celebration on board of the Flagship BNS Godetia. Both Vice Admiral
Mattieu Borsboom (Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy) and Captain
Wim Robberecht (Representative of the Belgian / Dutch staff) were
present to celebrate with the crew.
22 Aug 12
USS Taylor Leaves Ocean Shield to Head Home
After more than 5 intensive and rewarding months
of patrolling in the waters off the Horn of Africa, the NATO counter
piracy task force said farewell to USS Taylor . “When Operating in the
Gulf of Aden, USS Taylor has made an excellent contribution. She was
completely dedicated to the counter piracy mission. Nearing her 30th
year in commission it is impressive to see a ship achieving a continuous
high readiness state, eager to take any task given. The waters off
Somalia offer a challenging environment. Heat, sandstorms, few logistic
stops, constant vigilance. Taylor met the challenge and more”, states
Commodore Ben Bekkering. As part of the multinational maritime force,
the USS Taylor was deployed as part of the NATO task force from 7 May
until 19 August in the waters surrounding the Horn of Africa. USS Taylor
will now begin her transit home. She is expected back in her homeport,
Mayport in mid September after a 7 month deployment.
20 Aug 12
NATO and China Meet in Gulf of Aden
Yesterday,
NATO and China met in the Gulf of Aden, where Commodore Ben Bekkering
welcomed his Chinese counterpart, Rear Admiral Zhou Xuming onboard
NATO’s counter piracy flagship, HNLMS Rotterdam.“International
cooperation is the key to success”, explains Bekkering. “With so many
navies - NATO, EUNAVFOR, CMF and individual nations, unity by
coordination is vital. This meeting, between two of the major
contributors of the counter piracy
effort is just one of the coordination tools. An important tool though,
where we were able to truly exchange views and thoughts.”
News Release
16 Aug 12
SNMCMG1 starts Beneficial Cooperation
Earlier this week the SNMCM1 Group left the port
of Den Helder (the Netherlands) to conduct historical ordnance disposal
operations in the North Sea, known as Operation Beneficial Cooperation.
During the first couple of days, the SNMCM1 Group has been successful in
locating several
unexploded ordnances and has already safely destroyed seven.
During the upcoming week, the Group will continue to participate in
Operation
Beneficial Cooperation, and will continue to countermine unexploded
ordnances.
During the first and second World War, numerous mines were placed in the
North Sea,
and thousands of unused aircraft bombs were dropped in these waters.
Many of these
unexploded ordnances are still present today. That they are still a real
threat to
shipping became apparent in 2005 when a fishing vessel accidentally
pulled an unexploded
aircraft bomb on board and once on deck it exploded. Sadly, as a result
of this explosion
several fishermen lost their lives.
Below are pictures taken during the explosion of a mine found by HNLMS
Willemstad
14 Aug 12
NATO Warship HNLMS
Rotterdam frees hijacked dhow
In
the early morning of the 13th of August, the boarding team of HNLMS
Rotterdam disrupted a suspected pirate group before they could launch an
attack on a merchant ship. The decisive action was the result of a
daylong operation of ships and patrol aircraft from NATO and EUNAVFOR.
The search for the suspected pirates started five days ago, when
Bossaaso port authorities reported a possible hijacking of a dhow. Two
days later, the EU Naval Force unit Lafayette located the dhow. A visit
showed that the suspected pirates had transferred to another vessel, the
Bourhan Nour. That dhow was located another day later by another EU
Naval Force unit, FGS Sachsen.
News Release
8 Aug 12
SNMCMG1 Operational Handover Ceremony
The operational handover of Standing NATO Mine
Counter Measure Group 1 (SNMCMG1) took place in Zeebrugge, Belgium on
Thursday 2 August. Here are some images of the ceremony.
2 Aug
12
Belgium
Takes Command of NATO Mine Counter Measures Group
Today
in Zeebrugge, Belgium took command of the permanently established NATO
Mine Countermeasures group 1 (SNMCMG1). The Change of Command ceremony
took place on the Naval Base in Zeebrugge. Commander Yvo Jaenen (Bel)
accepted Command of SNMCMG1 from his Norwegian colleague, Commander Erik
Hansen (Nor).
On taking over the Group, Cdr Jaenen said “I am lucky that the Belgian /
Netherlands (ABNL) headquarters offered to fill the capability and
command in 2012 with a bi-national Belgian-Netherlands staff and a
Belgian flagship. When one realizes that a similar capability had
already been provided for the whole of 2011, this demonstrates the
importance ABNL attaches to the Mine Counter Measures Group. I am
convinced of the high training standards and professionalism shown by
the ships in the Group and know that we will be ready for any assigned
task.”
Biography
News
Release
20 Jul 12
NATO and Omani Navy Help Dhow
Yesterday,
HNLMS Evertsen and USS Taylor from the NATO Task Force joined with the
Royal Omani Navy Vessel, Al Mabrukah in locating and assisting the
Iranian dhow, Al Mahdi, drifting in the Arabian Sea. According to the
crew, the dhow had been hijacked by pirates earlier this month and was
abandoned when she ran out of fuel and supplies. The search was preceded
by coordination between NATO, the Omani Naval Headquarters and the
Iranian Rescue Coordination Center, after the latter had received a
distress call. Earlier yesterday morning, Al Mabrukah located the dhow.
Deteriorating sea conditions limited the assistance options an after an
attempt to tow by Al Mabrukah failed, Evertsen sent her rhib with fuel
and food.
Press Release
20 Jul 12
Counter Piracy Commanders
Meet in Gulf of Aden
On
Wednesday 18th July, the commander of the NATO Task Force, Commodore Ben
Bekkering, hosted his counterparts, EUNAVFOR Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste
Dupuis and Combined Maritime
Force (CMF) Rear Admiral Anho Chung on board of his flagship HNLMS
Evertsen. While the meeting was used to conduct replenishment of
supplies at sea, it demonstrated a very practical example of the level
of cooperation that exists between the task forces. The real purpose,
though, was for the three Commanders to exchange ideas and share
thoughts on counter piracy. With the monsoon now at full strength, the
pirates are more limited in their options. However, once the monsoon
subsides it is more than likely that the pirates will again attempt to
launch attacks on merchant ships.
Press Release
16 Jul 12
NATO Counter Piracy Commander meets Chinese
Counterpart in Indian Ocean
In
yet another example of the strong international cooperation on counter
piracy, the Commander of NATO Task Force 508, commodore Ben Bekkering,
met his counterpart of the Chinese Task Force 113, Rear admiral Yang
Jun-Fei, on board the Chinese flagship DDG Qingdao.
After
an informative briefing, both staffs engaged in an open discussion on
the subject of counter piracy. Information on capabilities was exchanged
and ideas were shared. The recent disruption of a hijacked Omani dhow
was one of the main topics and allowed exchange of experiences in the
search and disruption of the dhow, but also in follow-on actions.
Admiral Yang: “This meeting will promote our friendship and strengthen
our mutual relations and cooperation in counter piracy”.
6 Jul 12
NATO's Assistant Secretary General Visits Ocean
Shield Flagship
A
delegation of senior officials from the NATO headquarters International
Staff and International Military Staff visited the flagship of Operation
Ocean Shield in the Gulf of Aden earlier this week. On board the Dutch
Frigate Evertsen, the delegation was shown a range of counter-piracy
capabilities and had the opportunity to discuss the challenges of NATO’s
anti-piracy mission. “This led to mutual beneficial discussions in which
the strategic and tactical level could reflect ideas and perceptions”,
states the commander of the counter-piracy mission, Commodore Ben
Bekkering. “What came clear is that the NATO task force packs a
considerable qualitative punch, even in temporary periods of lower
numbers.”
The
delegation consisted of the Assistant Secretary General Operations,
Ambassador Stephan Evans (UK); the Director Operations of the
International Maritime Staff, Major General Marcel Druart (FRA); and the
Deputy Chief of Staff Operations from Northwood, Commodore Bruce
Belliveau.
Article
6 Jul 12
USS Taylor Helps Distressed Dhow
Earlier this week, USS Taylor, part of NATO’s
counter piracy task force, Operation Ocean Shield helped a fishing dhow
experiencing mechanical problems. The fishing dhow Al Fahad was
initially discovered by the Japanese Destroyer, Sawagiri during their
transit through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).
Their convoy escort duty prevented them stopping to help however USS
Taylor received the Bridge-to-Bridge call and immediately volunteered to
assist the vessel in distress. The NATO warship sent a team of
specialists to the dhow. They quickly discovered the engine was beyond
repair. Telephone calls with the owner and the Yemini Coast Guard
ensured action was taken ashore to send assistance. As the dhow, unlit
and not under command, was in close proximity to the main shipping route
in the Gulf of Aden, Taylor remained close by to ensure safety for the
dhow and other vessels until assistance arrived. Taylor has now left the
dhow to continue her mission. “We are here to support the safety and
security of all vessels throughout the Internationally Recommended
Transit Corridor (IRTC). Normally our focus is ensuring that merchant
ships make the transit without being attacked by pirates, but
occasionally we come across a
vessel that is at risk which inevitably becomes a risk to others" said
Lt. Christopher Shanklin, Taylor’s Electronics Material Officer and
Boarding Officer. “Anyhow, providing assistance and helping seafarers on
their way is always a priority.”
3 Jul 12
Freed seafarers sail home
Two
days after HNLMS Evertsen released a hijacked dhow, the small ship
sailed home. The crew of the dhow said goodbye to the flagship of the
NATO counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield. “Of course we are here
because of the importance of the sea lanes
of communications and their relevance to global economy”, states NATO’s
counter-piracy commander, Commodore Ben Bekkering. “But the smile on the
faces of the sailors of the dhow paints at least as strong a picture as
container vessels arriving in Rotterdam”.
After a two day hunt in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, NATO’s
flagship HNLMS Evertsen,
boarded a pirated dhow in the early morning of 29th July and released
seven hijacked Indian and Bangladeshi crewmembers. After the action the
dhow crew stayed on board of the Dutch warship, to recuperate from the
ordeal. Meanwhile the sailors of Evertsen took care of the dhow. While
both ships sailed towards the homeport of the dhow, the NATO staff
stayed in touch with the Omani navy. On Sunday morning Evertsen and the
Omani naval ship Al Muazzar met at sea and escorted by the Omani navy
ship the dhow and its crew sailed home. Commanding officer of the
Evertsen, Commander Boudewijn Boots said “The relief and joy of the
crew, after the tormenting insecurity about their fate, touched me.
That’s why we are here.”
29 Jun 12
HNLMS Evertsen
disrupts pirate action group
After
a two day hunt in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, NATO’s flagship
HNLMS Evertsen boarded a pirated dhow early this morning and released
seven hijacked Indian and Bangladeshi crew members. The Omani flagged
dhow Nebarkad had been hijacked on 20th June off the coast of Oman, and
was used by the pirates to attack merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea.
The two day operation was the conclusion of a longer period in which a
group of suspected pirates used dhows to conduct attacks on merchant
vessels throughout the Arabian Sea. On 27th June an alarm call came in
from the MV Namrun a Maltese flagged bulk carrier. The captain stated
that an unknown dhow had attempted to attack it and shots were fired.
News Release
29 Jun 12
NATO Flagship Frees Dhow From Pirates
Early this morning after a two day search in the
Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea HNLMS Evertsen, part of NATO's
counter-piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield, intercepted a dhow
suspected of being pirated. The crew of the dhow have been brought to
safety and several suspected pirates have been apprehended.
More information will follow.
21 Jun 12
NATO warship escorts WFP ship
Earlier
this week, USS Taylor, part of the NATO counter piracy mission Operation
Ocean Shield escorted the World Food Programme (WFP) ship, MV Tupi
Maiden. The WFP ship was making a westbound transit to Djibouti through
the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of
Aden. MV Tupi Maiden began her transit escorted by the French warship,
FS Guepratte from the EU’s Operation Atalanta. USS Taylor took over the
escort from a pre-planned point in the IRTC and continued westward to
Djibouti. During the transit, Taylor maintained a position close to the
WFP vessel to deter piracy and respond rapidly if MV Tupi Maiden was
attacked or if suspicious vessels were reported to be operating too
close to the vessel.
News Release
19 Jun 12
NATO Commander and Russian
Counterpart Exchange Counter-Piracy Views in Gulf of Aden
The
Commander of the Russian counter-piracy mission, Captain First Rank
Vladimir A. Kondratov, visited NATO’s counter-piracy flagship HNLMS
Evertsen today. The aim of the visit was to share
experiences of counter-piracy efforts and seek opportunities to improve
the level of cooperation and coordination.After being welcomed by the
Task Force Commander, Commodore Ben Bekkering, the Russian delegation
was briefed about NATO’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield.
Captain Kondratov, in turn, provided an overview of the Russian
counter-piracy efforts and current convoy procedures. Considerable time
was spent sharing views and information about the current situation
around the Horn of Africa, including the most recent hijacking attempts
and the use of private security teams. Both commanders agreed that there
was scope to expand the exchange of information and that they would seek
ways to achieve that. In addition, they agreed to investigate
possibilities for counter-piracy related exercises.
News Release
18 Jun 12
HNLMS Evertsen assists dhow
in distress
On
Friday 15th June, the NATO flagship HNLMS Evertsen responded to a
distress call from the dhow M/V Al Hijrad. The cargo trawler, with 17
crew members on board was on its way to the United Arab Emirates but was
dead in the water in the Indian Ocean near the Horn of Africa, where the
northwest monsoon causes strong winds and high seas. Al Hijrad’s captain
reported that the cargo ship had been at sea for several days, when they
were struck by a major engine failure.
Upon arriving on the scene, Evertsen launched a Rigid Hull Inflatable
Boat (RHIB) to provide assistance. But due to the high sea state caused
by the monsoon, it was not possible to climb safely on board. So the
helicopter hoisted the technical crew and kit on board of the dhow.
Having assessed the situation, the technical crew concluded that the
engine was too badly damaged to repair at sea. So HNLMS Evertsen towed
the dhow to the safety of Boosasso port and was thanked by the dhow’s
captain as their ways parted.
“The sea can be an unforgiving place, when your vessel is adrift and
without power,
especially when you are in the hunting grounds of pirates”, said
Commander Boudewijn
Boots, commanding officer of HNLMS Evertsen. He continued, “We are here
to preserve and ensure the free passage of goods and to make sure
merchant communities feel safe and secure against pirates. But when we
come across a vessel in distress, we are ready to assist where we can.”
11 Jun 12
NATO strengthens regional and international ties
Over the weekend, NATO’s counter piracy flagship, HNLMS Evertsen made a
short logistical stop in Djibouti. Besides replenishing supplies for the
weeks to come at sea, the time in port was used to meet various regional
and international partners.
“Making the most out of the visit, that is what I’m driving at”, says
the new Commander of NATO’s counter piracy task force Cdre Ben Bekkering
(NLD N). During the 36-hour visit Cdre Bekkering shared thoughts
on counter piracy with the Deputy Commander of the French Forces
Djibouti, exchanged information with the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)
detachment of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force and discussed
training opportunities with the Commander of the Combined Joint Task
Force / Horn of Africa. “All these commands play their role in creating
a secure environment. Mutual understanding helps to de-conflict and to
better reinforce activities. I was also pleased to learn about the
potential for further coordination and cooperation”, reflects the
commodore.
Productive talks with regional key leaders, like the commander of the
Djiboutian Navy and the first secretary of the Djiboutian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, provided very useful local perspectives. The First
Secretary, Mohamad Ali Assan, explained the importance of counter pir
acy:
“We are a maritime port and an important logistic hub for the
hinterland. If our economy is affected by piracy, the whole region is.
We know that a collective international approach is needed to counter
this risk and that it’s not possible without our allies, like NATO.”
A
team from the Djiboutian Coast Guard visited HNLMS Evertsen and was
briefed on Best Management Practices, protective measures that can be
carried out by merchant vessels to prevent a pirate attack. This will
allow the Coast Guard to brief and prepare merchant vessels that sail in
and out of Djibouti. Evertsen also demonstrated basic detainee handling
techniques. “With this much appreciated exchange of information, we can
align our own procedures and improve our skills”, explained one of the
Djiboutian coast guard members.
7 Jun 12
Royal Netherlands Navy Assumes Command of NATO’s Counter Piracy Mission
Earlier today, Commodore Ben
Bekkering (Royal Netherlands Navy), assumed command of Operation Ocean
Shield, NATO‟s counter piracy mission from Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi Tosun
(Turkish Navy) in the port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As incoming
Commander, Commodore Ben Bekkering stressed the need to remain vigilant.
"On Admiral Tosun‟s six-month watch, the success rate of pirates has
seen a sharp decline. Pirates find it increasingly difficult to deploy
from the coast and hunt at sea. But the many incidents over the last few
months, including attacks and hijackings, make it absolutely clear that
we can't let our guard down. I see it as my absolute task to ensure the
trend continues and engage with all partners in the region to maximize
our combined effect."
News Release
31 May 12
HNLMS EVERTSEN PREPARES TO TAKE OVER COMMAND OF
OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD
This
morning NATO
Standing Maritime Group 1 flagship,
HNLMS Evertsen, left
Turkish territorial waters and is now heading towards the Suez Canal.
HNLMS Evertsen is scheduled to take over command of Operation Ocean
Shield on 7 June 2012. While in Turkey, the group conducted two port
visits in Istanbul and in Aksaz. The Istanbul port visit was an
opportunity to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Dutch-Turkish
trade agreement. During the last week, HNLMS Evertsen also conducted a
counter piracy exercise to prepare for its forthcoming role in Ocean
Shield.
Read full story of the boarding exercise
Pictures of the
Istanbul port visit
29 May 12
NATO CONDUCTS EXERCISE DYNAMIC MONGOOSE IN THE NORTH
SEA
Between
29 May and 06 June 2012, NATO will conduct a new Anti-Submarine Warfare
exercise. DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 12, as the exercise is called, will take
place off the coast of Norway and involve 4 submarines, 11 aircrafts and
4 surface ships provided by 7 NATO nations. The objective is to provide
the best anti-submarine warfare training to NATO naval forces and to
guarantee their interoperability in a multi-national environment.
Four
submarines from Germany, the Netherlands and Norway are scheduled to
join the exercise. Each submarine will have the opportunity to conduct a
variety of submarine operations either in a ‘hunting’ or in a ‘hunted’
situation. Four surface warships from France, Germany and Norway will
participate in the exercise under the tactical command of the Norwegian
Warship HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen. Maritime Patrol Aircrafts (Canadian,
French, German and Norwegian) and Anti-Submarine Helicopters (Polish,
French and British) will operate from air bases in Sola, Norway and
Nordholz, Germany. These two air bases will also ensure control of air
operations.
The exercise will be directed from the NATO Maritime
Headquarter in Northwood, United Kingdom by Commander Submarines North
(COMSUBNORTH) and Commander Maritime Air (COMMARAIR).
24 May 12
NATO WARSHIP RESCUES DRIFTING DHOW IN GULF OF
ADEN.
Last
Saturday, USS TAYLOR detected a drifting dhow with no propulsion while
patrolling off the Horn of Africa in support of NATO’s counter piracy
Operation Ocean Shield. The dhow named NAHDA was found by USS TAYLOR
right at the entrance of the Gulf of Aden. After sending a team onboard
NAHDA, it was established that both propulsion and communications were
beyond repair. USS TAYLOR decided to provide assistance to NAHDA by
towing her back to Yemen.
News Release
12 May 12
NATO’S RAPID RESPONSE FREES HOSTAGES AND DEFEATS
PIRATES
Late on Friday May 11th a fully equipped
Somali pirate action group hunting for vulnerable
merchant traffic in the Arabian Sea was disrupted by the Turkish warship
TCG GIRESUN,
NATO’s counter piracy Task Force flagship. On board the Yemeni type
dhow were 14 suspected
pirates and 7 Yemeni hostages of the original crew. The successful
disruption was the
culmination of a sequence of events that started on the afternoon of May
10th following
reports that a chemical tanker had been attacked by a skiff launched
from a suspected pirate
mother ship.
News Release
3 May 12
Let Your Yacht Take The Ferry
Somali
pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and western Indian
Ocean are looking for merchant ships, however the past has shown that
they will also attack yachts. Larger yachts with more people on board or
a group of yachts will be seen as a valuable and easy target for the
pirates. With both a low freeboard and low speed yachts are especially
vulnerable to pirate attacks. It is not advisable to sail a yacht
through the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea or western Indian Ocean. If
possible take another route or book transport for your yacht through the
high risk area with a merchant ship. To read the longer version of this
article, please click
here or visit
www.shipping.nato.int
30 Apr 12
NATO Commander meets Korean
and Chinese Counterparts in Gulf of Aden
Last week, Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN,
Commander of the NATO Counter Piracy Mission Operation Ocean Shield, met
with his counterparts, ROK Naval Escort Task Group Commander Captain KIM
Eunsoo and Chinese Task Force Commander Rear Admiral YANG Jun-Fei on the
25th and 27th of April respectively. Republic of Korean Navy and Chinese
PLA Navy have supported the counter piracy efforts by providing escorts
to the merchant vessels passing through the region.
Press Release
12 Apr 12
Mother Ship Disrupted and
Crew Freed by NATO Ship
On Wednesday 11th April, the NATO ship HDMS
Absalon disrupted a dhow, detained 16
suspected pirates and freed the 12-member dhow crew. During a patrol off
the Somali east coast, HDMS ABSALON, part of NATO’s Counter Piracy
Operation Ocean Shield spotted an Iranian-flagged dhow which was
hijacked one month ago and was currently being used as a mother ship by
suspected pirates operating in the area. HDMS ABSALON was tasked to
approach the mother ship to carry out a disruption. After stopping the
mother ship, HDMS ABSALON sent her boarding team to search the vessel.
The team conducted a compliant boarding and assumed full control over
the
mother ship. On board the mother ship were 16 Somalis suspected of
piracy, as well as a crew of 12 from Pakistan and Iran who had been held
hostage on the mother ship throughout the last month.The operation was
achieved without the use of arms. After questioning the original crew,
they were released with their vessel.“I am glad that we successfully
disrupted another suspected pirate attack group and freed hostages as
well. I am sure that our resolute operations discourage the
pirates.” said Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN, Commander of NATO
Counter Piracy Task Force.
30 Mar 12
Higher Readiness Forces (Maritime)
Commanders Conference Held at Northwood
MC
Northwood hosted an HRF(M) CDR’s conference from 27-28 Mar in order to
discuss important maritime issues specifically relating to improving the
relationship between the NATO Command Structure and the NATO Force
structure. NATO’s Maritime community will be faced with responding to a
changing strategic environment during a period of economic challenges
which has resulted in the reform of the NCS. The central theme of the
conference was discussion on topics related to creating a more efficient
and effective maritime domain in order to deliver future NATO maritime
operations. The conference was chaired by COS MC Northwood RAdm Ort. In
attendance were COMITMARFOR RAdm Foltzer, COMSPMARFOR RAdm Rodriguez,
COS MC Naples RAdm Westbrook, COS COMSTRIKFORNATO BGen Love,
DCOMUKMARFOR Cdre Clink OBE and COMFRMARFOR RAdm Coindreau via VTC.
23 Mar 12
NATO and the International Maritime Bureau increase
Cooperation on Counter Piracy
Yesterday,
Captain Pottengal Mukundan, Director of the International Maritime
Bureau (IMB) was invited to MC Northwood to meet with the staff of the
NATO Shipping Centre.
The purpose of this meeting was to maintain and strengthen the dialogue
between the two organisations that work to provide the maritime
community with the best information products possible to avoid piracy.
read full story
More pictures
23 Mar 12
Northwood's Deputy Commander Leaves
Staff
lined the road from MC Northwood's HQ, Atlantic Building today to say
farewell to their Deputy Commander, Vice Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer.
He took up his post at Northwood in the Summer of 2009. VAdm Witthauer
is not only leaving Northwood, he is also retiring from the navy. He
joined the Federal German Navy in October 1968 and as well as Commands
in the German Navy as served as Commander European Union Forces in
Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as NATO posts culminating in the Deputy
Commander post at Northwood.
19 Mar 12
NATO
disrupts a suspected Pirate Group in the Gulf of Aden
On
17th March, in the Gulf of Aden, the Turkish Navy Ship (TCG) Giresun,
acting as part of NATO’s counter-piracy (Operation OCEAN SHIELD),
successfully disrupted a group of pirates suspected of having been
involved in the attack of a merchant vessel in the area.
Earlier that day,
the NATO warship USS Arleigh Burke had received a distress call from M/V
Trans Catalonia, which stated that she had been attacked by a skiff with
armed pirates on board. According to the distress call, the pirates
opened fire but aborted their attack when the merchant vessel’s armed
security team returned fire in self-defence.
USS
Arleigh Burke and TCG Giresun were immediately sent to the area to
intercept the pirate group. On its way to the skiff's last known
position, TCG Giresun launched its helicopter, which quickly spotted a
skiff and was able to identify 7 pirates on board and boarding
equipment. As soon as the pirates noticed the helicopter, they stopped
and raised their hands over their heads.
TCG Giresun then
reached the scene and sent its boarding team to investigate the skiff.
On completion of this successful disruption, the commander of the NATO
counter-piracy task force, Admiral Sinan Tosun declared: “We are happy
that NATO was able to prevent another act of piracy and to contribute to
safer navigation in the Gulf of Aden”.
More pictures
Press Release
13 Mar 12
NATO’s
Standing Maritime Group 1 successfully simulates response to a
multi-threat scenario
HNLMS De
Ruyter, one of the ships currently sailing with SNMG1, tested her
capabilities in an exercise scenario near Greece. The scenario mirrors
the threats warships have to deal with in real life and is a mix of low
and high intensity warfare.
Commodore Ben Bekkering, the Commander of the NATO
Response Force ‘Standing NATO Maritime Group 1’ explains: “This multi
threat scenario is an excellent training opportunity to maintain our
readiness. All conditions are set to test and verify new tactics,
procedures and techniques.” Cdre Bekkering is embarked on HNLMS de
Ruyter and is supported by an international staff whose mission is to
ensure the group’s coordination.
Read full
story
6 Mar 12
NATO Warship Renders
Assistance
While
patrolling in the Gulf of Aden late on 2nd March, ITS GRECALE, part of
NATO’s Counter Piracy Task Force Operation Ocean Shield picked up a
distress call from a UAE-flagged dhow Al Looshar, a ferry which was
sailing from Al Mukalla in Yemen to Bosasso in Somalia. The master
reported that his ship was dead in the water due to engine failure and
requested assistance. ITS GRECALE manoeuvred immediately towards the
position to investigate and give whatever assistance she could.
News Release
1 Mar 12
NATO Counter Piracy Force
Flagship visits Kenya and Tanzania
The Commander of NATO’s Counter Piracy
Task Force, Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN, with his flagship TCG
GIRESUN , visited Kenya 21-24 February and subsequently Tanzania 25-27
February 2012. These pre-scheduled visits allowed Rear Admiral TOSUN to pay
visits to the Kenyan Chief of Navy Major General Ngewa Mukala and the
Tanzanian Chief of Navy Major General Saidi Shabani Omar. During these
visits, he was able to explain the role of NATO’s counter piracy mission and
to stress once again the importance of the regional countries’ support to
counter piracy activities in ensuring the safe transit of the merchant
vessels.
News Release
28 Feb 12
Danish Ship Disrupts Pirate Vessel
During the early morning of 27th February, off
the coast of Somalia, Her Danish Majesty’s Ship
(HDMS) Absalon, acting as part of NATO’s counter-piracy operation
(Operation OCEAN SHIELD),
approached a vessel that had been previously captured by pirates and was
being used as a mother-ship (from which pirates normally launch attacks
on other merchant vessels). HDMS Absalon successfully disrupted the
pirate vessel however, two members of the original crew were found
wounded and subsequently died.
News Release
6 Feb 12
Successful start to
2012 for Operation Ocean Shield
The
first 13 days of January were busy ones for NATO’s counter piracy task
force; they successfully stopped and disrupted three separate pirate
groups from launching attacks on legitimate maritime traffic. In the
first incident on Friday 6th January the USS CARNEY acting on
intelligence from other counter piracy forces intercepted the Indian
flagged dhow AL QASHMI off the south western coast of Oman. Once onboard
the dhow the USS CARNEY’S Board and Search Team quickly discovered that
all evidence of potential piracy had been disposed of and questioning of
the dhow’s crew revealed that they had been hijacked with the 9
suspected pirates launching from a different dhow. The 9 suspected
pirates were detained. The crew of the AL QASHMI were offered assistance
and then allowed to go about their lawful business.
News Release
1 Feb 12
NATO and Russia
Exercise Together in Gulf of Aden
Yesterday,
NATO and Russian Counter Piracy Forces met in the Gulf of Aden to look
at the practicalities of conducting refuelling at sea between NATO and
Russian ships. This was the tactical part of an ongoing dialogue between
NATO and Russia which aims to foster closer cooperation in counter
piracy operations. Two weeks ago, the NATO Task Force Commander Rear
Admiral TOSUN met with his Russian counterpart Captain 1st Rank Ildar
Ahmerov. The Commanders talked about the various areas where NATO and
the Russian Task Force could cooperate, one of which was refuelling at
sea.
News Release
More pictures
30 Jan 12
NATO Commanders Visit NATO’s Counter Piracy Task
Force Flagship in Djibouti
On 27th January, Deputy Supreme Allied
Commander Europe (DSACEUR) General Sir Richard Shirreff KCB CBE,
Commander Allied Maritime Command Northwood Admiral George Zambellas DSC
and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations Commodore Bruce Belliveau visited
NATO’s Counter Piracy Task Force Commander Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi TOSUN
on board his flagship TCG GIRESUN while it was in Djibouti.
Admiral Zambellas said after the visit, “having the opportunity
to visit the task force this early in my command has given me an
excellent opportunity to see NATO’s capabilities at first hand and to
experience the counter piracy effort and challenges faced on a daily
basis by our ships. I have been very impressed with the dedication and
professionalism shown by all those in the task force.”
News Release
More pictures
24 Jan 12
Change of Command for NATO Group
Yesterday,
in Taranto Naval Base, Italy Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi (ITA N)
handed over Command of the Standing NATO Maritime Group One to Commodore
Ben Bekkering (NLD N). The Ceremony took place on board of the former
flagship, ITS Andrea Doria and was presided over by the Deputy Commander
of Maritime Command Northwood, Vice Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer.
Platoons from ITS Andrea Doria as well as from the incoming ships, HMNLS
De Ruyter (the Netherlands), FGS Rhoen (Germany) and HCMS Charlottetown
(Canada) were in attendance.
News Release
20 Jan 12
A Norwegian Naval Officer
assumes command of NATO's Mine Counter Measures Group 1
Today,
Norwegian Commander Erik Hansen assumed command of Standing NATO Mine
Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG 1). He will be in command of this
permanent international flotilla until next summer. Cdr Hansen joined
the Norwegian Navy in 1987 and spent most of his career in the mine
counter measures branch both at sea as Mine Counter Measure Vessel
commanding officer, and at staff level. Cdr Hansen took over from Cdr
Guy Terryn (Belgian Navy) who has been in charge of SNMCMG1 for the past
six months during a handover ceremony which took place in
Kristiansand,
Norway.
Biography
More Pictures
20 Jan 12
NATO Commander meets Chinese
Counterpart in Gulf of Aden
On
19th January, Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN, Commander of the NATO
Counter Piracy Mission Operation Ocean Shield, met with his Chinese
counterpart Rear Admiral LI Shihong. They paid reciprocal visits to each
others’ flagships on the same day while the Chinese Task Group ships
were escorting a convoy and the NATO flagship, TCG Giresun was
patrolling through the Gulf of Aden. During these warm and constructive
meetings both Commanders had an opportunity to share information and
experiences about their counter piracy operations, learn more of each
other’s capabilities and also discuss matters of mutual concern in how
to tackle piracy.
News Release
20 Jan 12
NATO SHIP RETURNS PIRATED DHOW TO
RIGHTFUL YEMENI OWNER
Royal
Navy and Royal Marine forces, embarked on RFA Fort Victoria, part of
NATO’s counter piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield have successfully
rescued a dhow from the clutches of 14 suspected Somali pirates, and
returned it to its rightful owner in Yemen.The Yemeni fishing dhow,
which was recovered from the suspected Somali pirates on Friday 13th
January, had been hijacked and held in a known pirate camp ashore. Awadh
Barasheed, 27, the owner of the dhow said: "I am happy to receive my
dhow back after being pirated since 18 May 2011. I would like to thank
the coalition forces and specifically the British Navy (Royal Navy) for
retrieving my dhow from the hands of the criminal pirates. This dhow is
the only source of income for me, my brothers and our families.
News Release
18 Jan 12
NATO Commander meets Russian
Counterpart in Gulf of Aden
Yesterday,
Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN, Commander of the NATO Counter Piracy
Mission Operation Ocean Shield, visited the Commander of Russian Warship
Detachment of Russian Pacific Fleet, Captain 1st Rank Ildar AHMEROV on
board his flagship ADMIRAL TRIBUTS in the Gulf of Aden. The Russian
Federation warship, as part of its counter piracy operation, was
escorting a merchant vessel convoy and passed the area where the NATO
flagship TCG GIRESUN was patrolling.
News Release
16 Jan 11
NATO Warship Renders
Assistance to Stricken Dhow
Over the weekend, ITS GRECALE, part of the NATO’s Counter Piracy
Task Force Operation Ocean Shield, was tasked by NATO Task Force
Commander to render assistance to the Iranian flagged dhow, Tahriri,
which had reported an engine failure and was dead in the water. The
dhow, with 5 Iranian and 9 Pakistani crew members, had recently been
released from suspected Somali pirates by
another NATO Task Force unit, HDMS ABSALON, on 7th January.
News Release
13 Jan 12
NATO
Warship Disrupts Another Pirate Ship
RFA
Fort Victoria, part of NATO’s counter piracy task force Operation Ocean
Shield has successfully disrupted a suspected pirate vessel looking to
launch attacks on merchant vessels transiting through the Gulf of Aden.
On Thursday 12 January, USS Carney also part of Operation Ocean Shield
discovered and tracked a suspected pirate vessel. Early on Friday 13th
January, RFA Fort Victoria along with her embarked helicopter was tasked
to intercept the suspected pirate vessel. At first light, Fort Victoria
launched her helicopter to investigate the suspected pirate vessel. In
order to stop the vessel, the helicopter fired several rounds of various
warning shots.
News Release
9 Jan 12
NATO Task Force Neutralises Two Pirate Mother Ships
Over
the last 3 days in two separate operations units of NATO’S Counter
Piracy Task Force 508 successfully identified
and neutralised two ocean going dhows that had been pirated and were
subsequently being used as mother ships from which Somali pirates were
intending to launch attacks on merchant shipping in the sea lanes off
Somalia and the southern Arabian coasts.
News Release
6 Jan 11
Ne
w Commander for Maritime
Command Northwood
Today,
Admiral George Zambellas DSC (Royal Navy) took over
Allied Maritime Command Northwood during a ceremony in North London. The
Royal Navy’s outgoing Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar
KCB OBE, handed command to Admiral Zambellas in Northwood this morning.
Admiral Soar has spent two and a half years at the helm. NATO’s Supreme
Allied Commander Europe, Admiral Jim Stavridis, who attended the
ceremony as guest of honour declared about Admiral Soar that “He had
done so much more than his duty, bringing creativity, energy, diligence
and sense of duty to this command”. This change of command occurs as
NATO undergoes the major reorganisation of its command structure which
was decided at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010. Looking ahead,
Admiral Zambellas said that “in addition to existing operational
commitments, MC Northwood would need to be able to speak with a single
voice to become the beating heart of NATO’s maritime soul”.
More pictures
Admiral Zambellas' biography
5 Jan 11
NATO’s Flagship visits Muscat
Rear Admiral (LH)
Sinan Azmi TOSUN, Commander of NATO’s Counter Piracy Task Force, with
his flagship TCG GIRESUN welcomed in 2012 by visiting Muscat, Oman.
The scheduled visit allowed Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi TOSUN to pay a
visit to the Chief of the Royal Omani Navy, Rear Admiral
Abdullah bin
Khamis Al-Raisi.
During his visit, Rear Admiral (LH) TOSUN had a chance
to explain the role of NATO’s counter piracy mission and to stress once
again the importance of the regional countries’ support to counter
piracy activities in ensuring the safe transit of the merchant vessels.
“The Muscat port visit was a good opportunity for us to assure Omani
authorities that NATO remains firm in its commitment to fight against
piracy in the region. Piracy in the Arabian Sea threatens neighbouring
countries. We had an extremely useful and constructive face-to-face
discussion about the current situation and shared our thoughts on how to
tackle piracy.” said Rear Admiral (LH) TOSUN.
20 Dec 11
MC Northwood Senior Officer wins Royal
Canadian Military Institute Award
Captain
T.C. Tulloch (Royal Canadian Navy) won the 2011 Wing Commander Hamilton E.
Boulter Award for the best article in SITREP, the journal of the Royal
Canadian Military Institute. Capt. Tulloch, currently serving at MC
Northwood, was presented this award for his article “The Problem with
Pirates” (SITREP May-June, volume 71, Issue 3). In this article, Capt.
Tulloch successfully explains the complexity of Somali politics, piracy
tactics and the international community’s response to the challenges pirates
pose. In conclusion, Capt. Tulloch acknowledges that although the naval
forces deployed in the region “have achieved a measure of success” the issue
of piracy remains a significant one which can only be resolved by greater
political commitment.
Read the
article
16 Dec 11
NATO and CMF Commanders Meet At Sea
On
14th December Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi TOSUN Commander of NATO’s Counter
Piracy Force, hosted the Task Force Commander of the Combined Maritime
Forces (CMF) Rear Admiral (UH)
Kaleem SHAUKAT SI (Pakistan Navy). The two Commanders met on board the
NATO flagship, TCG GIRESUN, in the Gulf of Aden to discuss matters of
mutual concerns such as cooperation in the most effective deployment of
ships and aircraft in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.
News release
13 Dec 11
Seychelles Coastguard Flies with Norwegian MPA
The Norwegian Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) has been in the Indian
Ocean region since the middle of September and in that time has flown
numerous missions in support of NATO's counter piracy mission, Operation
Ocean Shield. Recently, it flew with four members of the Seychelles
People's Defense Force (SPDF) Air Wing. This flight not only gave the
four Seychellois officers the opportunity to work with Norwegian
officers but also proved to be an excellent way to establish and build
good working relationships between two maritime air commands.
NOR_SEY_CG_1.jpg)
NOR_SEY_CG_5.jpg)
12 Dec 11
NATO Warship Disrupts Suspected Pirate Activities
On
10 December, the NATO warship USS De Wert prevented a suspected pirate dhow
from engaging in acts of piracy and forced it back to the Somali coast
making further acts of piracy impossible at this time. While engaged in a
replenishment at sea, USS De Wert received intelligence reports that a dhow
acting suspiciously was in the vicinity and looked to be preparing to
conduct acts of piracy. USS De Wert was tasked with locating and
tracking the dhow while being prepared to conduct a boarding the following
morning. At first light, USS De Wert closed the range to the dhow in
preparation to board the vessel, but a high sea state was not conducive for
a safe boarding.
News Release
12 Dec 11
Danish MPA Begins Work With Operation Ocean Shield
Denmark has agreed to support NATO in the fight against piracy in the
Indian ocean and Horn of Africa. For this purpose one of their RDAF
Challenger aircraft has been deployed from Air Transport Wing Aalborg to
the Seychelles. The aircraft is equipped with a maritime surveillance
radar and infra red/electro optical cameras. The advanced equipment
onboard the aircraft can collect pictures and intelligence data, thereby
assisting other NATO units in the area. The Danish
detachment, comprised of 18 people, arrived in the Seychelles on the 29th
of November , and started operations on the 1st of December. Operations
will be continuing till the end of January. Operational control
of the aircraft is carried out via NATO’s HQ in Northwood.
More pictures
9 Dec 11
New NATO Commander Has Busy Visit Progamme in Djibouti
During the operational handover in Djibouti, the new NATO Commander of
Operation Ocean Shield, Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi TOSUN took the
opportunity to meet his military counterparts. Speaking at the end of
his visit programme, RAdm Tosun stated, " It was an excellent start with
very productive visits. It gave us not only a chance to deepen our
reciprocal knowledge but also an opportunity to advance the existing
coordination among the Commands conducting operations in the same
region."
8 Dec 11
Turkey Assumes Command of NATO’s Counter
Piracy Task Force
Yesterday, Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi TOSUN (Turkish Navy), assumed the
command of Operation Ocean Shield, NATO’s counter piracy force, from
Rear Admiral Gualtiero MATTESI (Italian Navy) who completed a 6-month
deployment in the region.
As the handover was completed, RAdm Tosun stated “I am extremely proud
to take over command of such a task force from my predecessor, RAdm
Mattesi.
News Release
7 Dec 11
NATO Warship Disrupts Pirate Attack Group
in Gulf of Aden
Earlier
this week USS Carney, part of NATO’s counter piracy task force Operation
Ocean Shield, worked with other NATO forces and coalition partners to
disrupt pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden.
A Japanese maritime patrol aircraft patrolling the area on
counter-piracy operations spotted a suspicious skiff with seven
suspected pirates aboard and contacted the NATO flagship ITS Andrea
Doria who in turn tasked USS Carney to investigate.In a co-ordinated
operation, Carney approached the skiff, while the patrol aircraft
circled overhead. As the warship appeared on the horizon the skiff
attempted to flee however it stopped when hailed. The patrol aircraft
and Carney observed the suspected pirates throwing items overboard. The
items were visually confirmed by the patrol aircraft as ladders and
other pirate-related equipment. A team from Carney boarded the skiff and
after a thorough search seized the excess fuel and other items useful to
piracy activity, before ensuring the skiff had enough fuel to return to
the Somali coast. In 2009, 45 ships were hijacked in the region; so far
in 2011, 21 ships have been hijacked effectively halving the number of
ships taken. Naval warships have been in the region constantly providing
a visible presence and deterrence and this has undoubtedly contributed
to the pirates’ lack of success. This is a very clear example of the
work that NATO and its partners have been involved in for the past three
years in the region. Pirates should not be under the illusion that the
Christmas season is a good time to launch pirate attacks – NATO ships
will be patrolling just as they have done throughout the year.
News Release
2 Dec 11
Norwegian P-3 Crews Receive NATO’s Africa
Medal
On
16 November, Commander Maritime Air Northwood, Rear Admiral Jacques de
Solms (FRA N) presented the Norwegian P-3 SAINT detachment with the
non-article 5 NATO Africa Medal for their deployment as part of NATO’s
counter-piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield. Rear Admiral de Solms
complimented the P-3 detachment saying, “The SAINT detachment has done
an outstanding and exemplary job in the counter-piracy effort. Maritime
Command Northwood is extremely pleased with their results and we look
forward to many more Norwegian detachments in the future. Their
professionalism and ability to conduct surface search (SSC) and
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) gathering have
proven, yet again, that maritime air is an invaluable asset to counter
piracy operations.”
News Release
1 Dec 11
NATO Warship Stops Pirate Attack Group
On 28 November, the Royal Navy vessel, RFA Fort Victoria was patrolling
in an area approximately 420 nautical miles from the Seychelles and 350
nautical miles from the Somali coast as part of NATO’s counter piracy
task force 508.
Early that morning, she received information that a Spanish fishing
vessel operating to the north of their position had come under attack
from a group of pirate vessels. The ship’s Lynx helicopter was quickly
despatched to investigate.
Once at the scene, the helicopter identified two suspect
vessels, a whaler and a skiff, in the vicinity of the fishing vessel.
The faster of the two, a skiff, sped away at over 25 knots as the
helicopter gave chase. When the skiff ignored orders to stop, the Lynx
helicopter fired warning shots ahead of the fleeing vessel which stopped
and the suspected pirates onboard were then transferred to Fort Victoria
via boat.
Fort Victoria’s Royal Marines boarding team then boarded the whaler and
another skiff in the vicinity. As a result of the day’s action, a total
of seven suspected pirates were detained onboard Fort Victoria along
with their whaler as evidence, with no injuries being sustained by
either side.
Captain Gerry Northwood Royal Navy, embarked in Fort Victoria said: “It
has been a long but rewarding operation with many complex aspects.
Operating under NATO tasking and in consultation with our headquarters
in the Middle East and in the UK, we utilised a range of national and
international assets to bring these events to a satisfactory conclusion.
Fort Victoria has once again demonstrated that multinational
coordination can be successfully deployed to disrupt piracy in this area
in order to protect international merchant shipping.”
29 Nov 11
ITS Andrea Doria supports the crew of the
MV Rosalia D'Amato
Over
the weekend, NATO’s flag ship, the Italian ship Andrea Doria assisted
the MV Rosalia D’Amato after she was released from 7 months in pirate
captivity. A team of Italian marines from the San Marco regiment boarded
the MV Rosalia D’Amato to act as a Vessel Protection Detachment and were
accompanied by a medical and technical team. The medical team looked
after the crew while the technical team assessed the engine prior
to the Rosalia D’Amato leaving Somali waters. The Italian marines will
remain on board as the Vessel Protection Detachment until the vessel
reaches her next port of call. Early Sunday afternoon the MV Rosalia
D’Amato was able to begin her transit to her next port of call.
More
pictures
25 Nov 11
United Nations
commends NATO Counter Piracy Efforts
At
its meeting in New York this week the United Nations Security Council
voted to extend its mandate for those fighting piracy off the Horn of
Africa by a further 12 months. NATO deployed on its Counter Piracy
operations in response to the UN’s concern over the damage and
disruption to world trade caused by the rapid growth in piracy off the
Somali coast. The extension of the mandate through to the end of 2012
reflects the NATO mission sanctioned by the North Atlantic Council which
is also due to expire at the end of 2012.
Press Release
24 Nov 11
Maritime Command Northwood hosts the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Yesterday,
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and
Security Co-operation visited MC Northwood. The delegation was welcomed by
MC Northwood's Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer and
received briefings on the headquarters’ role in NATO’s maritime strategy,
operation Ocean Shield and MC Northwood’s future place in the new NATO
command structure. This visit took place only three days after another NATO
Parliamentary Assembly delegation visited Djibouti to be briefed on counter
piracy by Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, Commander of NATO's counter piracy
task force. Beyond raising awareness on the threat of piracy, this
parliamentary visit was a key opportunity to maintain a high level dialogue
between NATO and the MPs representing NATO countries. This dialogue thus
contributes to the preservation of the Alliance’s democratic foundation and
accountability.
18 Nov 11
Counter Piracy Forces receive Lloyd's list "Newsmaker of the
Year" Award
Last
Wednesday, counter-piracy naval forces were presented the 2011
“Newsmaker of the Year Award” by Mr. Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice
President & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region. The ceremony was
organised by Lloyd’s List and took place in the Baniyas Ballroom of the
Grand Hyatt Dubai.
NATO was represented by Lt. Cdr. Mark
Reed
from operation Ocean Shield to
receive this distinction together with representatives from Combined
Maritime Forces (Cpt. Tony Aldred, Royal Australian Navy) and the
European Union (Cdr. Stephen Draper, Royal Navy). This award was
presented by Lloyd’s List to the counter-piracy naval forces for
having influenced a major aspect of the news agenda with their
outstanding efforts to combat the threat piracy off the coast of
Somalia.
16 Nov 11
Northwood Assumes Operational Control of NATO's Counter Piracy
Mission
Yesterday
in a ceremony at NATO Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon (JFCLB) in
Oeiras, Portugal, NATO’s Maritime Command Headquarters Northwood (MC
Northwood) assumed operational control of NATO’s counter-piracy mission,
Operation Ocean Shield.The handover took place during SACEUR's
Commanders Conference, held in the Lisbon Headquarters. Supreme Allied
Commander Europe (SACEUR), Admiral James Stavridis, formally handed over
the operational control from Lieutenant General Philippe Stoltz,
Commander JFCLB, to Admiral Sir
Trevor Soar KCB OBE, Commander MC Northwood.
Passing the Operation Ocean Shield tin plate, Admiral Stavridis
dedicated an “extraordinary well done to Lieutenant-General Philippe
Stoltz and his magnificent team”. He continued, “Admiral Sir Trevor
Soar, I am very honoured to pass this plate to a wonderful, professional
naval officer”. This change of command ceremony is one of the outcomes
from the recent NATO Command Structure Reform. It was launched at the
Lisbon Summit in November 2010 and the model and geographical footprint
were approved by defence ministers in June 2011. The implementation is
expected to take at least one year and the handover from Lisbon to
Northwood is the first step in the process.MC Northwood has considerable
experience in counter-piracy operations at the tactical level already
which it will be able to carry over to the higher operational level.
Under the Command Review Northwood will become the Alliance’s single
Maritime Headquarters in NATO and as such will have responsibility for
delivering command and control of the full spectrum of joint maritime
capabilities and to act as NATO’s principal maritime advisor.
15 Nov 11
NATO Parliamentary Assembly meets Counter
Piracy Commander
Yesterday
members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly went on board NATO’s
counter piracy flagship, ITS Andrea Doria. The Assembly were in Djibouti
for a programme of meetings with officials and ITS Andrea Doria was on a
port visit. Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, Commander of NATO's counter
piracy task force and Captain Domenico Guglielmi, Commanding
Officer of the flag ship hosted a meeting on board of ITS Andrea Doria.
It provided a excellent opportunity for RAdm Mattesi to share with the
political part of the NATO Alliance his experiences of counter piracy
and pirates in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. He and the current
NATO Task Force have been in the region since June 2011.The
Assembly visit was undertaken by members of the Mediterranean and Middle
East Special Group and Sub-Committee on NATO partnerships.
For more information about the NATO Parliamentary Assembly visit
NATO
Parliamentary Assembly
14 Nov 11
International counter piracy collaboration helps NATO to foil
pirates
On
November 12, 2011, a successful operation between a NATO warship and a
Japanese maritime patrol aircraft resulted in the location and disarming of
a pirate skiff operating in the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor
(IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Following a boarding investigation all
piracy-related equipment was confiscated by NATO to prevent the skiff from
posing any further threat to international shipping.
Along with several other nations the Japanese Defence Forces have committed
Maritime Patrol Aircraft to counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
MPA aircraft constitute effective assets to detect and disrupt piracy at sea
by covering large areas of ocean visually and by radar searching and
tracking suspected pirate vessels. This is the latest example of an
aircraft working in co-operation with ships to identify and eliminate Pirate
Action Groups.
News
Release
More Pictures
1 Nov 11
HDMS Absalon back for more counter piracy
work with NATO
The Danish frigate, HDMS Absalon today joins the NATO counter piracy
task force (TF508) for a second period of duty.HDMS Absalon was NATO’s
counter-piracy flagship between January and March 2010 when she spent a
busy 3 months in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Rear Admiral
Gualtiero Mattesi, Commander of NATO’s counter piracy Task Force said “
I’m very pleased to welcome HDMS Absalon back into NATO’s counter piracy
work and look forward to working with her and her crew. The Absalon is
equipped and has the resources necessary to enhance our mission.”
News Release
31 Oct 11
NATO Commander Gives Update on Counter Piracy Operation
During a recent port visit in Muscat, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi
hosted a lunch on board for Diplomats from various NATO countries. It
gave RAdm Mattesi and his Flag Captain, Domenico Guglielmo the
opportunity to update the Diplomats and Defence Attaches on NATO's
efforts in combatting piracy, the recent rescue of the MV Montecristo
and other counter piracy achievements. RAdm Mattesi stressed that all
regional countries need to be aware of the threat that pirates can pose
to all vessels transiting through the region. Diplomats and Defence
Attaches from Italy, USA, Turkey, the Netherlands, Germany and France
were in attendance.
24 Oct 11
NATO's future Counter Piracy Task Force Commander visits MC
Northwood
Today,
Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi Tosun (Turkish Navy), who has been designated to
take command of NATO's counter piracy operation Ocean Shield next month,
visited MC Northwood with his staff to be briefed on the operation's
most recent developments. Admiral TOSUN was welcomed by MC Northwood’s
Commander Admiral Soar, the Deputy Commander Admiral Witthauer and the
Chief of Staff Admiral ORT.
19 Oct 11
NATO
disrupts Pirate Mother Ship responsible for the attack on MV
Montecristo
Following
NATO’s successful release of the pirated Italian merchant vessel, MV
Montecristo earlier last week, the naval units contributing to NATO’s
counter piracy operation succeeded in locating and disrupting the
suspected pirate mother ship responsible for the attack. Successful
coordination of military assets and information sharing amongst naval
units operating in the region made it possible to locate the pirate dhow
which was stopped whilst heading towards the Somali coast.
News Release More
Pictures
11 Oct 11
NATO successfully rescues the crew of MV
Montecristo
Earlier
this afternoon, NATO successfully conducted a coordinated intervention to
rescue the crew of MV Montecristo, some 200 Nautical miles south-east of the
Omani coast. The 11 pirates who attacked the merchant vessel surrendered to
the NATO boarding team showing no resistance. The rescue operation involved
two NATO naval units contributing to NATO’s counter piracy operation, RFA
Fort Victoria and USS De Wert. The crew of MV Montecristo, while still in
the engine room, managed to communicate with the NATO boarding team to tell
them they were all safe.
News Release More
Pictures
7 Oct 11
NATO and the Seychelles pursue Cooperation on counter Piracy
NATO’s
counter piracy flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, has just completed a
successful port visit to the Seychelles between September 30 and October
4, 2011. This visit focused on NATO’s cooperation with the Seychelles
Coast Guard and other key actors involved in combating piracy. The
commander of NATO’s counter piracy taskforce, Rear Admiral Gualtiero
Mattesi engaged in a series of meetings with the Seychelles Defence
Forces and local authorities to discuss cooperation between Victoria and
NATO in the field of counter piracy. This is NATO’s eighth visit to Port
Victoria in 2011. Previous port visits this year have been opportunities
for NATO and the Seychelles to share experiences and to conduct mutual
counter piracy exercises. On this last occasion, Rear Admiral Mattesi
and his staff visited the Seychelles’ Coast Guards and Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre (MRCC), two organisations deeply committed to
counter piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean.
News Release More
Pictures
4 Oct 11
NATO Chief Warns of Increasing Pirate Activity
In
the last few days the number of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia
has increased highlighting the fact that now the monsoon is weakening,
the pirates are once again ready to attack merchant ships transiting
through the Indian Ocean. MC Northwood’s Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral
Hank Ort (NLD N) states, “in the last few years, it has been the case
that come October when the South West monsoon weakens, the pirates have
been able to put to sea and we have seen the number of attacks on
merchant vessels increase. We are warning vessels that reports show that
there are pirate groups operating already in the Indian Ocean, Arabian
Sea and Gulf of Aden. Merchant vessels should ensure that Best
Management Practices are followed and that vessels continue to make it
as difficult as possible for pirates to board and take control of their
ships. Our Naval forces are not complacent and remain vigilant. Despite
the lull in pirate attacks over the Summer due to the monsoon they have
continued to patrol throughout the region."
News Release
Slide
of small boats
4 Oct 11
NATO Attends Launch of Maritime Piracy
Humanitarian Response Programme
MC
Northwood's Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hank Ort, attended the launch
of the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) in London
last week. He was part of a panel answering questions about the issue
and NATO's involvement in the MPHRP. It was officially launched on World
Maritime Day, 29 September 2011 at the London Docklands Museum. This
programme has been developed to "assist seafarers and their families
with the humanitarian aspects of a traumatic incident caused by a piracy
attack, armed robbery or being taken hostage". A pan-industry alliance
of shipowners, unions, managers, insurers, manning agents and welfare
associations have all been involved in the setting up of this programme.
Full article
26 Sep 11
Norwegian Aircraft Makes First Flight for Operation Ocean Shield
On
Friday 23rd September, the Norwegian Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) call
sign Golden Arrow made its first flight in Operation Ocean Shield. The
MPA arrived at its base on 13th September and after some maintenance
work flew along the Somali coast for the first time on Friday. Aircraft
provide the NATO ships with information which in turn allows them to
patrol the sea in a more focussed area. The area where Somali pirates
are operating is so large that an aircraft is essential to be able to
patrol it effectively.
26 Sep 11
USS De Wert Helps Vessel in Distress
During
the early morning of September 21, the USS De Wert and her crew helped a
cargo dhow which was experiencing engineering problems and making no way
through the water. DE WERT launched her helo to gain an initial
observation and shortly after manned the boat deck to launch her rigid
hull inflatable boat (RHIB). Sixteen crew members, along with one
interpreter, loaded the RHIB and approached the dhow. Upon boarding,
crewmembers found 5 personnel, along with an inoperable motor and only a
bag of rice and a can of tuna to share. The master of the dhow told DE
WERT’s boarding officer that they left Yemen on September 5 for a
routine twenty-four hour trip to Somalia to deliver fuel in exchange for
fish. Unfortunately, without a motor, this twenty-four hour trip turned
into being stranded at sea for fifteen days. Upon inspection of the
motor, it was discovered that the battery needed to be replaced,
so the RHIB returned to DE WERT to obtain the proper battery along with
other supplies that were needed for the repair. As the repair party
worked on the motor, other DE WERT crew members distributed food and
water among the members of the dhow. When all repairs were made, DE WERT
stood by to ensure that all problems were fixed and watched as the dhow
maneuvered along on its own into the horizon.
21 Sep 11
NATO Warship Rescues M/V Pacific Express
Crew
In
the morning of September 21, 2011, NATO’s counter piracy flag ship, Italian
Ship (ITS) Andrea Doria, rescued the crew of M/V Pacific Express, 180
nautical miles off the coast of Kenya. M/V Pacific Express had reported
being under pirate attack on September 20, 2011.
News Release
More Pictures
19 Sep 11
NATO Counter Piracy Flag Ship ITS Andrea
Doria visits Mombasa
ITS
ANDREA DORIA, NATO’s counter piracy task force flagship left Mombasa
yesterday (18th September) after a period of rest, repairs and
maintenance in Kilindini Harbour. The port visit was a good opportunity
for Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi (ITA N), Commander of the counter
piracy task force to meet with local authorities and officers from the
Kenyan Navy to assure them that NATO remains firm in its commitment to
fighting piracy in the region.
News Release
24 August 11
NATO and Indonesia exchange Views and Lessons-Learned on Counter-Piracy
Today,
a delegation from Indonesia led by H.E. Ambassador Riphat Kesoema,
Deputy for Foreign Policy at the Indonesian Ministry for Politics, Law
and Security Affairs, visited MC Northwood to exchange views on Counter
Piracy. The delegation was welcomed by Northwood's Deputy Commander Vice
Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer and received a briefing on NATO’s counter
piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield. The participants then shared
their respective experiences of combating piracy and discussed potential
cooperation between Indonesia and NATO in the Indian Ocean.
16 August 11
New NATO
Website for Shipping Community
Today,
the new, improved NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) website goes live providing
more comprehensive and timely information about pirate activity around the
Horn of Africa for the shipping community. Having received a briefing on the
new website, the Commander of MC Northwood, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar
KCB OBE said; “Piracy is a serious threat for the shipping community and
anything that can be done to deal with and overcome this issue is to be
welcomed. The NATO Shipping Centre has
listened to their users and responded to their needs with a new, more
interactive and relevant website demonstrating that NATO and the shipping
community are working together to tackle the scourge of piracy.”
News Release
29 July 11
NATO and Russian Commanders Meet in Gulf of Aden
Earlier
this week, the Commander of the Russian Tactical Group, Captain Vladimir
Alexandrovich Kondratov visited the NATO Flagship, ITS Andrea Doria where he
had a meeting with NATO’s Commander, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi. The
visit occurred at the end of a port visit to Djibouti by the Russian Group.
6 July 11
NATO and EU Commanders meet in Gulf of Aden
%20ITS%20DORIA%20CO,%20Commodore%20Alberto%20Manuel%20Silvestre%20Correia%20(Portuguese%20Navy)thumb%20;.jpg)
Rear
Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, Commander of NATO’s counter piracy Task Force
hosted a visit on board the NATO flagship, ITS Andrea Doria by his opposite
number in the EU Task Force, Commodore Alberto Manuel Silvestre Correia
(Portuguese Navy). The visit gave the two Commanders the opportunity to
meet, exchange ideas and discuss the issue of counter piracy and its
developments in 2011. Afterwards, both RAdm Mattesi and Cdre Correia spoke
of beneficial the meeting was. RAdm Mattesi said “This was a very good
occasion to enhance cooperation and common views among the counter piracy
Commanders in the Horn of Africa to provide safe passage for international
merchant shipping through this very busy maritime corridor.” Cdre Correia
said, “I’m glad to have had the opportunity to meet RAdm Mattesi on board
ITS DORIA. Our cooperation and mutual knowledge are vital for the success in
this fight against piracy. Best wishes for you and for your Task Force. I
will be looking forward to have the chance to receive you on board my
flagship. Together we will fight as one.”
4 July 11
Counter Piracy Commanders gather for Handover Ceremony
Last week in Djibouti, the Commander of NATO’s counter piracy task
force, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi attended the handover ceremony for
Task Force 151 on board USS Mason. Rear Admiral Harris Weng Yip Chan
(Republic of Singapore Navy) handed over command to Capt. James (Jim)
Gilmour of the Royal New Zealand Navy. As well as NATO being represented
by RAdm Mattesi, Commodore Alberto Silvestre Correia (Portuguese Navy)
attended in his capacity as Commander of the EU’s counter piracy
operation, Atalanta. This was a rare opportunity when all commanders of
the 3 international naval task forces were together.
30 June 11
Lt Cdr Paul Mountford receives Canadian Medal
Earlier this week, Lt Cdr Paul Mountford (Can N) was awarded the
Canadian Forces Decorations Medal 1st Class which recognises
22 years of service to Canada. Commodore Bruce Belliveau (Can N), Deputy
Chief of Staff (Operations) at MC Northwood made the presentation.
22 June 11
PO Leblanc 54 Hole Golf Challenge For Charity
Earlier
this week, PO1 Gilles LeBlanc (Can N) completed a mammoth 12 hour, 54 hole
golf challenge raising £600 for the two NATO charities Linda Jackson
Macmillan Centre and the Peace Children’s Centre Watford. PO1 LeBlanc
completed the three rounds of gulf and was welcomed back to the club house
at Batchworth park Golf Club by Lt Cdr Janet McDougall (CAN N).
His colleague, PO Andy Gibbs (RN) collected
another £110 from the club members. In total, between the efforts of PO1
LeBlanc and PO Gibbs and his team, a total of over £800 was raised.
Full text and Pictures
17 June 11
New Commander for NATO's Counter Piracy Task Force
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Earlier
this week, the Commander of NATO’s counter piracy Task Force, Operation
Ocean Shield Commodore Michiel B Hijmans (Royal Netherlands Navy),
handed over responsibilities to his successor Rear Admiral Gualtiero
Mattesi (Italian Navy). Looking back at his two terms of Ocean Shield
Commodore Hijmans said: “It has been a satisfying and challenging period
and I feel privileged and honoured to have commanded the forces in
NATO’s counter piracy operation. The excellent cooperation between all
task forces has been vital and proved very successful. During the last
few months NATO was able to disrupt numerous mother ships and pirate
groups, significantly decreasing the number of successful attacks on
merchant vessels. As Rear Admiral Mattesi takes over I know he will
continue this determination to fight piracy to the full extent of our
mandate.”
News Release
16 June 11
Commendation Award Presented to Commander Larry Trim (Can N)
Earlier
today Commander Larry Trim (Can N) was awarded a commendation by Rear
Admiral Hank Ort. Commander Trim received the commendation because as
the Future Ops Branch Head
he provided an outstanding support to MC Northwood during his two years
tour. He demonstrated outstanding professionalism by utilizing his
knowledge, experience and expertise and was determined to improve the
fight against piracy.
For the afloat forces and their staffs as well as for the higher
headquarters in NATO, EU and CMF Commander Trim has been recognised as a
key point of contact for Operation Ocean Shield. Commander Larry
Trim's outstanding performance in this Headquarters has undoubtedly
contributed to the success and the reputation of excellence in MC
Northwood.
16 June 11
Belgian Ambassador and Estonian Ambassador visit NATO Northwood
Yesterday
the Belgian Ambassador to the UK, Mr Johan Verbeke and the Estonian
Ambassador to the UK Mrs Aino Lepik von Wirén visited MC Northwood to
receive a first hand view of MC Northwood's role including a brief on
Operation Ocean Shield and NATO's Maritime Standing Groups. They also
received a brief on Operation Atalanta of EUNAVFOR. The Ambassadors took
the opportunity to meet with the delegations of their home countries.
http://www.estonia.gov.uk/news_events/news/aid-1636
10 June 11
Russian Submarine Works with U.S. Sub Rescue System for First
Time
Earlier
this week, during exercise Bold Monarch 2011, for the first time a
Russian submarine mated with a U.S. submarine rescue system, the
Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS), demonstrating
they could work together and reach a milestone of international
cooperation and interoperability.“During Bold Monarch thirteen countries
worked together to exercise rescuing submariners from the depths of the
sea,” said NATO’s Deputy Commander Submarines Capt. David Dittmer (USN),
who is in tactical command of the units involved in this exercise. Bold
Monarch 2011 is a NATO exercise supported by both the Submarine Escape
and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG) and the International Submarine Escape
and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO).
News
Release
More pictures
8 June 11
Russians Join Nato Submarine Rescue Drill during
Media Day BM 11
For the first time ever, a Russian submarine is
taking part in the exercise, carrying out test dockings with Nato rescue
vehicles. Both the BFN and The BBC were given rare access to an American
rescue module on a journey to the bottom of the sea and the Russian
submarine, the Alrosa.
Link to BFN web page:
http://www.bfbs.com/news/top-story/exclusive-glimpse-life-russian-submarine-during-exercise-48392.html
link to BBC webpage:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13692299
07 June 11
Russian Federation Navy fully Integrated in NATO Submarine Rescue Exercise
Bold Monarch
Russian
Federation Navy Submarine ALROSA from the Black Sea Fleet based in
Sevastapol is pictured on the surface during Exercise Bold Monarch 2011 in
waters off the coast of Murcia, Southern Spain. This remarkable sight marks
the groundbreaking progress being made in international cooperation and
coordination between submarine operating Navies worldwide. The rescue
exercise marks the first time a Russian submarine has ever performed a fully
integrated role in a NATO led exercise. Surfacing amidst a fleet of NATO and
non-NATO warships, salvage and diving support vessels, she is a daunting
sight to any surface fleet officer regardless of their nation. At Bold
Monarch she is a most welcome participant and key player in the numerous
rescue scenarios and serials planned.
Press Release
More
pictures
05 June 11
NATO Submarine Rescue Exercise Improves International Cooperation for Saving
Human Lives
A demonstration of submarine rescue operations, in the framework of Exercise
Bold Monarch 2011, took place today at the presence of Admiral Giampaolo di
Paola, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee (CMC), Gen
Nikolay Makárov,
Chief of Joint Staff of Russian Federation Armed Forces and Admiral General
Manuel Rebollo Garcia, Chief of the Spanish Navy, along with other NATO
Officials. The exercise Bold Monarch is the world’s largest event of this
kind, bringing together every three years submarines, ships and aircraft
from both NATO and non-NATO countries. The 2011 edition includes the
participation of Russia, marking it as the first time a Russian submarine
participates in any NATO exercise. Rescue forces equipped with a range of
sophisticated debris clearance, diver-assisted gear and submarine rescue
vehicles from Italy, USA, Russia and Sweden, together with a jointly-owned
rescue system from France, Norway and United Kingdom engaged in a series of
rescue operations for the “sunken” submarines. The exercise will conclude in
the next days with a 48-hour coordinated rescue and evacuation operation for
some 150 survivors, including many simulated casualties, from a ‘disabled’
submarine.
Full Text
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pictures
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03 June 11
Russian Submarine Participates in NATO Submarine Rescue Exercise For The
First Time
Yesterday, for the first time, a Russian submarine
mated with a NATO submarine rescue system, specifically with the Italian
submarine rescue bell, demonstrating they could work together and reach the
milestone of international cooperation and interoperability during exercise
Bold Monarch 2011.
News Release
more
pictures
02 June 11
A Commendation Award was Presented to Petty Officer Andy Gibbs
(Royal Navy)
A
Commendation Award was
presented today to Petty Officer Andy Gibbs (Royal Navy) by
Commodore Bruce Belliveau (Canadian Navy, MC Northwood Deputy Chief of
Staff Operations). Since he arrived in Northwood, PO Gibbs has dedicated
a significant part of his spare time to collecting funds for the “Help
for Heroes” charity. PO Gibbs helped raise over £70 000 to support
members
of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in the line of duty. To reach
this figure, he collected money in central London and walked 168 miles
between Wembley
and Cardiff for the Wales v. England football match. During the HQ’s
weekly brief, Commodore Belliveau took the opportunity to express NATO’s
appreciation for the dedication and selflessness shown by PO Gibbs.