On January 12th, the handover ceremony of the second NATO mine countermeasures group was held between the captain of the vessel Ettore Ronco and the acceptor, the peer, Fotis Paraskevas, of the Greek Navy.
The ceremony took place in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Squadron Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, on board the Greek Navy unit HS Iraklis, moored at the naval base of La Spezia.
Since last July 5th, Commander Ronco and his staff have guided the allied SNMCMG2 device from aboard the flag unit Nave Stromboli, while nine minehunters from five different nations and a team of Croatian divers integrated into the group throughout the period.
During the semester under Italian leadership, the ships conducted intense training sessions, interacting on several occasions with the NATO SNMG2 group and the initiatives Neptune Strike operating in the same Mediterranean basin.
Furthermore, since the end of August the device has participated in the main Allied multinational exercises, such as 'Dynamic Move' and 'Dynamic Mariner' in Italy, 'Dynamic Messenger' in Portugal, 'Dogu Akdeniz' and 'Nusret' in Turkey.
An undoubtedly challenging period, but at the same time also a great opportunity to test procedures, further increasing the capabilities of NATO in dealing with the danger deriving from naval mines. In addition to this, the group operated in support of the operation Sea Guardian, monitoring merchant ships in transit, contributing to the continuous control of naval activities in the Mediterranean basin and therefore ensuring the safety of maritime traffic and freedom of navigation.
The group was finally involved in activities Naval Diplomacy, through numerous visits to foreign ports, thus strengthening relations both between the Allied countries and within NATO and between some partner countries.
Il second NATO mine countermeasures group has returned to sea in view of the next exercises which will see the ships, under Italian command, engaged in exercises scheduled in the eastern Mediterranean.
“I am very satisfied with the results achieved in these six months, both in terms of training and diplomacy – said Commander Ronco – and it has been a privilege to lead this multinational Force. We were able to maintain the highest operational standards and I am proud of the cohesion that was created among the participants: we all came from different countries and experiences, but we were able to make this a strong point, helping each other to improve every day".
At the end of the turnover ceremony, the Commander and Chief of the Naval Team wanted to greet and thank all the crew of the Stromboli ship and the staff for their commitment and excellent work, highlighting how the ship has, after so many years of service, carried out its function as a command headquarters unit very well, guaranteeing a high level of efficiency and readiness, playing an important role within the Alliance.
