On January 11, the German minehunting boat “Datteln” departs from Kiel and will be transferred to the permanent NATO-Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG 1) over the next few months. In addition to joint maneuvers and training, the group’s main tasks include securing sea lanes through presence and mine countermeasures.
After months of training, the crew of the “Datteln”, under the command of frigate captain Marcus Fiene, will become part of one of the four permanent NATO units. The commander is very confident about the months ahead: “A good team has grown together here during the deployment training program. The challenge now is to keep the crew continuously at a high level of concentration and professionalism so that, on the one hand, uncertainties are reduced and, on the other, every challenge can be met.”
NATO maintains a total of four permanent maritime task forces, which are manned by member states with ships and boats and, together with air and land forces and special units, form NATO’s rapid reaction forces. The units regularly take part in maneuvers under NATO command or at the invitation of individual member states. SNMCMG 1, for example, operates all year round, mainly in the North and Baltic Seas and adjacent sea areas. The unit is tasked with being ready for deployment at sea and training all aspects of mine warfare.
The “Open Spirit” and “Baltops” maneuvers, among others, are planned for the 42-strong crew during the deployment period. The maneuvers will mainly take place in the Baltic Sea. The minesweeper is expected back in time for Kiel Week, an annual sailing regatta that has been taking place since 1882. This year, Kiel Week begins on June 21.
Here for further reports about the Bundeswehr and here to further reports on NATO.
