NATO'S SNMCMG-2 visits the port of Haifa

• SNMCMG-2 vessels conduct a PASSEX with units of the Israeli Navy for the very first time

NATO's SNMCMG-2, currently under Spanish command and composed of flagship ‘Rayo’ and the Italian minehunter ‘Alghero’, docked this week at the port of Haifa, Israel. It is a historic milestone as it is the first time that this grouping and the Israeli Navy have worked together sharing expertise in the field of counter-mine operations.

Over the course of the visit to the port of Haifa, the Spanish Ambassador to Israel visited BAM ‘Rayo’ following all protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic. He was welcomed on board by SNMCMG2 Commander, Navy Captain Javier Núñez de Prado Aparicio, who briefed him on the mission. The vessel’s Captain, Lieutenant Commander Miguel Amoraga Lara, then explained the capabilities of the command and support ship for this operation.

Workshops were held for the Israeli Navy on firefighting, MCM operations and diving. This was followed by the pre-exercise conference at sea.

SNMCMG-2 units and the Israeli ship 'Bat-Yam' set off and conducted a programme of exercises. PASSEX concluded with a ‘sail-past’ to farewell the units involved in the exercise.