Standing NATO Maritime Group Two conducts exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean

Credit: Courtesy | Date Taken: 01/13/2021
SYNOPSIS Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) is a core part of the maritime component of the NATO Response Force (NRF). In January 2021, the group conducted passing exercises (PASSEX) with Greek, Spanish and Turkish navy units in the Eastern Mediterranean. It also conducted maritime situational awareness activities in support of NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, hailing merchant traffic to build up a recognised maritime picture, as well as broadcasting messages to increase awareness of NATO presence in the region. Currently the SNMG2 flagship, the Spanish Navy ship ESPS Cristóbal Colón, is at sea conducting tasks in support of Operation Sea Guardian. TRANSCRIPT Courtesy of Allied Maritime Command 1. (00:00) Turkish Navy ship TCG Gaziantep preparing for departure from Mersin, Turkey. 2. (00:31) TCG Gaziantep departing from Mersin. 3. (00:58) TCG Gaziantep departing from Mersin, sighted from SNMG2 flagship ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 4. (01:06) ESPS Cristóbal Colón bridge personnel watching over port tugs during departure from Mersin. 5. (01:18) TCG Gaziantep sailing by ESPS Cristobal Colon during passing exercise with Turkish Navy. 6. (01:25) Spanish Navy personnel operating forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) camera aboard ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 7. (01:35) Spanish Navy personnel performing broadcast over VHF channel 14 regarding Operation Sea Guardian aboard ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 8. (01:54) Engineering personnel in engine control centre of ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 9. (02:04) Combat Information Centre (CIC) of ESPS Cristóbal Colón during air defence drill on occasion of passing exercise with Turkish Navy units. 10. (02:13) Spanish Navy personnel on rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) of ESPS Cristóbal Colón performing a simulated attack on TCG Gaziantep (F490) during asymmetric attack exercise. 11. (02:25) Spanish Navy personnel in Combat Information Centre (CIC) of ESPS Cristóbal Colón during a during a pre-flight helicopter briefing for maritime situational awareness task in support of Operation Sea Guardian in Eastern Mediterranean. 12. (02:35)Spanish Navy Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter preparing for routine flight on the flight deck of ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 13. (02:49) Turkish Navy Sea Hawk 60-R “Hellboy” helicopter taking off from ESPS Cristóbal Colón flight deck during cross-deck exercise. 14. (03:00) SNMG2 units ESPS Cristóbal Colón and TCG Gaziantep sailing with HS Psara during photograph exercise on occasion of passing exercise with Hellenic Navy. 15. (03:18) Spanish Navy Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter during maritime situational awareness flight in support of Operation Sea Guardian, searching with FLIR camera, overflying merchant traffic and ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 16. (03:25) Spanish Navy Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter returning to and approaching main ship after maritime situational awareness flight in support of Operation Sea Guardian. 17. (04:12) Spanish Navy Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter being fixed to flight deck by the ship crew after routine flight. 18. (04:22) Spanish Navy Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter being fixed to flight deck by the ship crew after routine flight. 19. (04:36) Landing signalman signalling to Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter to shut down turbines after routine flight. 20. (04:45) Spanish Navy Sea Hawk 60-B “Toro” helicopter taking off from the main ship for routine evening flight. 21. (04:58) ESPS Cristóbal Colón sailing with Spanish Navy unit ESPS Santa Maria on its port bow on occasion of passing exercise with other Spanish Navy units in the Gulf of Cadiz. 22. (05:03) ESPS Cristóbal Colón firing its MK-45 gun during naval gunfire exercise on occasion of passing exercise with other Spanish Navy units in the Gulf of Cadiz. 23. (05:10) ESPS Cristóbal Colón personnel during small arms firing exercise, preparing gear, ammunition, safety briefing and firing with different weapons. 24. (05:33) ESPS Cristóbal Colón personnel firing HK G36KV rifle during small arms firing exercise. 25. (05:52) ESPS Cristóbal Colón personnel firing machine gun during small arms firing exercise. 26. (06:06) ESPS Cristóbal Colón FLIR camera searching. 27. (06:13) NATO flag flying from ESPS Cristóbal Colón. 28. (06:27) ESPS Cristóbal Colón during sunset.