On October 9-20 LNS Skalvis of the Lithuanian Navy took part in tri-Service multinational exercise Joint Warrior in the offshore and coastal waters of West Scotland. This semester the Lithuanian ship is on standby for the NATO Response Force and is assigned to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1).
The UK-led involved over 5 thousand military personnel as land units or crews of over 30 warships and aircraft.
During the training SNMCMG1 was tasked with detecting drill mines. The training schedule also covered tasks of countering unconventional (asymmetrical) measures, ship maneuver, air defence, patrolling a designated sea area, ship inspection and detention. The exercises involved aggravating elements, such as jamming radio connection and GPS without prior warning.
The exercise also involved different unmanned technologies which enabled exercise participants to assess possible threats and neutralise unconventional threats.
SNMCMG1 crews gained valuable experience at Joint Warrior by operating alongside NATO air, naval and land units, hone professionalism, and increased readiness to carry out designated tasks.
Credits: Captain (N) Marius Budvytis, staff photographer MARCOM Master Chief Petty Officer Christian Valverde
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Since LNS Skalvis of the Lithuanian Navy joined Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One on 15 July 2016 the unit has already visited Kiel (Germany), Narvik, Hammerfest, Tronheim, Bergen, Tromso, Bodo (Norway), Copenhagen, Ronne (Denmark), Swinoujscie (Poland), Cherbourg (France), and Faslane (UK) seaports. While transiting between the ports the units carried out tactical manoeuvres. In August SNMCMG1 also completed a mine clearance operation off the coast of Norway while in September it trained in large scale Exercise Northern Coast 2016 in the territorial waters of Denmark, Poland, Sweden and Germany of the Baltic Sea.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) provides standing maritime capability to the Alliance during exercises and actual operations. The unit operates in the waters of Northern Europe: completes mine clearance operations, takes part in multinational naval manoeuvres of NATO countries, and exercises with NATO partners. The unit may also be deployed to respond to crises, to demonstrate NATO solidarity and presence in the region, to conduct friendly visits to seaports of NATO allies and partners.
SNMCMG1 also serves as the key platform for naval elements of the NATO Response Force. If the NATO Response Force is deployed, the warships would immediately depart for the area of operation thus ensuring a speedy and efficient implementation of NATO tasks.
Ships to the naval unit are assigned by coastal NATO member states. It is in command of a representative of a coastal NATO country assigned on a rotating basis every 6-12 months. The current composition of SNMCMG1 includes 8 ships (Belgium, Estonia, UK, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany).
More information at official website: http://www.mc.nato.int/org/smg/Pages/SNMCMG1.aspx
POC: Lieutenant Commander Antanas Brencius, 00370 46 391 207, 00370 698 18 196
