The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ receives on board the Spanish ambassador to Greece

•  The ‘Cristobal Colon’ is deployed in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean as part of NATO's Standing Maritime Group 2

The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105), part of NATO's Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2), received on board the Spanish Ambassador to Greece, Carles María Casajuana Palet, during his visit to the port of Piraeus (Greece).

Upon his arrival, the ambassador was received with the honours and subsequently signed the ship's book of honour. He then visited the facilities and was briefed on the ship's capabilities and mission, as well as the most important milestones achieved during the deployment in operation ‘Noble Shield’. Finally, a family photo was taken with the crew.

The Spanish frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ is carrying out operation ‘Noble Shield’, within the framework of SNMG-2, deployed in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

During her integration, the frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ contributes to NATO naval operations by providing air defence and detection capabilities thanks to her AEGIS combat system and SPY-1D (V) multifunction radar. It is manned by some 230 military personnel, including a Marine Infantry Operational Security Team and an Embarked Air Unit, responsible for the operation and maintenance of the SH-60B helicopter.

Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2)

NATO Standing Maritime Forces (SNF), which include escort groups and mine-hunting groups, provide a permanent maritime presence for NATO. They are the core element of the Alliance's Very Rapid Response Forces, being the first forces to be activated, even before a crisis is declared.

Spanish resources placed at NATO's disposal are assigned to conduct the deployment, withdrawal and coordination of the sustainment of naval forces in NATO groups (SNF) and to monitor the activities and operations carried out by the transferred forces.

SNMG-2, which includes the ‘Cristóbal Colón’, is one of NATO's permanent maritime groups comprising naval and air units from the various allied countries. The group's role is to provide NATO with an immediate operational reaction capability in the naval domain.