Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 conducts a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Armed Forces of Malta

• SNMCMG-2 visits Valletta from 20 to 23 August and conducts a PASSEX with units belonging to the Armed Forces of Malta

The Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNCMMG-2), made up of the Maritime Action Ship (BAM) 'Rayo' –as flagship-, the Italian minehunter 'Alghero' and the Turkish minehunter 'Alanya', has docked in the port of Valletta, Malta, from 20 to 23 August.

Upon arrival, SNMCMG-2 Commander, Captain Javier Núñez de Prado, along with other group's commanders, paid a courtesy visit to the Commander of the Naval Squadron of Malta's Armed Forces.

Over the course of the visit, SNMCMG-2 personnel addressed several workshops on flight operations to the Maltese Navy. This was followed by the pre-sea exercise briefing.

Finally, SNMCMG-2 units and the Maltese ship P-62 set off and conducted the scheduled exercises. The PASSEX also included advanced medical evacuation exercises using a Maltese helicopter.

NATO is committed to working with its partners, exploring new training opportunities to improve interoperability in the maritime domain. Malta is a preferred partner for NATO, its geographical position is highly important from a strategic point of view, and it can contribute to maritime security in the Mediterranean.