The minesweeper Termoli of the Navy after leaving the naval base of La Spezia on 12 September, it reached the waters in front of the French port of Toulon to rejoin the Second NATO Mine Countermeasures Group (NATO - SNMCMG2), the integrated multinational maritime force that operates to ensure the protection of maritime communication routes and access to ports from the threat of naval mines.
International engagement begins with the exercise Olives Noires, organized from 14 September by the French Marine Nationale and during which advanced training will be carried out in the conduct of mine countermeasures operations. This exercise will last until the end of September and will be an important training and gathering moment for all the crews of the various nations that took part.
SNMCMG2 is one of the four permanent naval groups that make up NATO's rapid reaction maritime force. The mine countermeasures group provides the alliance with an operational capability which is essential to ensure free access to ports and safe navigation in times of crisis. Permanent groups continuously train with allied and partner countries, participating in national or multinational exercises, in order to increase interoperability and maintain a high level of training.
Ship Termoli, under the command of the lieutenant Mirco Forasacco, is a coastal minesweeper (Mine Hunter Coastal - MHC) of the class Gaeta delivered to the Navy in December 1992. The unit has a crew of 44 soldiers and is able to carry out localization, identification, neutralization of naval mines, remnants of war and ordnance, to ensure the safety of navigation. To carry out these operations the unit is equipped with wire-guided underwater vehicles Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and makes use of operators of the Underwater Operating Group (GOS) of the Navy.
Ship Termoli will leave the NATO group at the end of October 2018, to return to the port of La Spezia.
