The frigate 'Álvaro de Bazán' (F-101) resumes maritime surveillance operations after calling at the Icelandic port of Reykjavík

• The Spanish frigate was in port from 5 to 9 May after participating in the NATO-organised exercise 'Dynamic Mongoose 2023' in the waters of the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic.

The 'Álvaro de Bazán' set sail today after 4 days in the Icelandic port of Reykjavik. The stay in the Icelandic capital marked the end of the exercise 'Dynamic Mongoose 2023', in which the Spanish ship participated along with the rest of the NATO Standing Naval Grouping No. 1 (SNMG-1).

Dynamic Mongoose 2023' began on 21 April, with preliminary meetings held in the Norwegian port of Trondheim. Subsequently, the participating units carried out an intensive schedule of exercises at sea focused on anti-submarine warfare. During these exercises, which took place from 24 April to 4 May, the 'Álvaro de Bazán', together with its on-board SH-60B helicopter, put into practice its joint action procedures in the anti-submarine spectrum. Likewise, and given the anti-aircraft capabilities provided by the Spanish frigate, it acted as air coordinator for all the participating aircraft.

After the end of the exercises at sea, many of the participating units landed in the Icelandic capital to hold subsequent meetings with the aim of analysing the exercises and establishing lessons learned.

Also while in port, the Spanish ship hosted a press conference on board in which the Commander of NATO Surface Forces, the Commander of NATO's Standing Naval Group No. 1 and the Commander of the 'Álvaro de Bazán' took part. During the press conference, which was attended by local and national media, the three speakers presented the excellent results of the exercise and once again stressed its importance for the good results and for having taken place in an area of such strategic importance for NATO. For his part, the commander of the Spanish ship had the opportunity to speak about the frigate's capabilities and how these had contributed to the achievement of the exercise's objectives.

Once the exercises were over, and after setting sail from Reykjavik, the "Álvaro de Bazán" put to sea again to continue her maritime surveillance and security duties together with the rest of the SNMG-1.

About the frigate 'Álvaro de Bazán'.

The frigate 'Álvaro de Bazán', currently has 210 men and women on board, including an embarked air unit, an operational security team belonging to the Security Unit of the Tercio de Armada and a Chaplain.

The frigate is part of the 31st Surface Ship Squadron based in Ferrol. The squadron consists of five F-100 frigates and two combat supply ships that provide deterrence and defence capabilities.