Standing NRF Maritime Group 1

Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1)is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation(NATO) standing maritime Immediate Reaction Forces. Prior to 1 January 2005 it was known as Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT).

SNMG1 consists of 6 to 10 destroyers and frigates, with Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK Royal Navy, and the United States Navy each contributing 1 ship on a permanent basis. These are joined periodically by ships from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. The force operates, trains and exercises as a group, providing day-to-day verification of current NATO maritime procedures, tactics and effectiveness.

Ships are usually attached to the force for up to six months, on a rotating basis. Units of one nation do not necessarily relieve ships of the same nation. The force commander and the staff are appointed for one year, with the force commander rotating among the participating nations. The force is currently under the command of Rear Admiral Michael Mahon flying his flag in USS Normandy (CG-60).

Operations

In peacetime, the force exercises primarily in the eastern Atlantic. Allied Command Operations (ACO) has operational command of the force, and the Commander Allied Maritime Component Command Northwood administers the force while in the Eastern Atlantic. ACO delegates operational control to the area commander where the force is operating. SNMG1 and SNMG2 rotate responsibility for Operation Active Endeavour.

The force is currently engaged in a circumnavigation of Africa to build maritime situational awareness and partnerships with African nations.

Organization

SNMG1 is a component of the NATO Response Force (NRF).

History

Established in January 1968, STANAVFORLANT was under the operational control of Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic until that command was decommissioned in 2003. Due to the resulting NATO realignment, STANAVFORLANT fell under the operational control of ACO.

In September 2007, SNMG1 was in the Red Sea bound for Suez to complete a circumnavigation of Africa when the Jabal al-Tair volcano erupted. SNMG1 ships assisted the Yemeni coast guard in the recovery of their military personnel stationed on the island. [http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2007/p07-097e.html]

References and links

* [http://www.manw.nato.int/manw/pages/organisation/snmg1.htm official web page]

* [http://www.manw.nato.int/manw/pdf/6938%20Africa%20proof%20final.pdf Africa Deployment Brochure ]