The five units of SNMG2, joined by the ROS minesweeper Lupu Dinescu, and the corvette Ros Zborul of the Romanian Navy conducted an exercise in the Black Sea.
The minesweeper has freed the channel for the Group's transit, following it in a row, simulating a threat scenario in waters with mines. After the escort, the group practiced in a context of surface and air threat.
Two Mig-21s Lancer of the Romanian Air Force simulated multiple air strikes against ships. A sail past (greeting passage between units) conducted by ROS Zborulfinally concluded the activity.
At the end of the exercise, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, Italian Navy, commander of SNMG2, declared:
"Today's exercise offered both the NATO Naval Force and the Romanian Navy and Air Force an invaluable opportunity. It allowed participants not only to maintain and strengthen their operational capabilities, but also demonstrated the possibility of promptly integrate with assets that do not belong permanently to the Naval Force.
Exercises such as Lead Through, with a threat scenario represented by mines, are fundamental and stimulating: every opportunity like this must be seized. I want to thank the Romanian Navy and Air Force for what we have achieved today ".
The group will now continue its high-speed patrol activity in the Black Sea, to later reach the port of Poti, Georgia, in early April.
Lo Standing Maritime Maritime Group 2 it is currently deployed in the Black Sea and is made up of five Units: ITS Fasan (Italy), HMCS Fredericton (Canada), TCG Salihreis (Turkey), ROS Regina Maria (Romania) and BGS Varnished (Bulgaria).
SNMG2, with the other permanent NATO forces, is constantly deployed and carries out several complex multinational exercises, to maintain the highest level of combat readiness and capability.
