The minehunter Sella completes its NATO mission in the Atlantic and Mediterranean

•   After more than three months on mission, the Spanish vessel bids farewell to the Alliance's Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 and begins its return journey to Cartagena.

The minehunter M32 “Sella” has completed its deployment with NATO's Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2).

After 93 days of joint and allied navigation in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, increasing surveillance of maritime areas of interest to NATO, it now returns to the Military Arsenal in Cartagena, where it will arrive on 15 December.

During this period, the “Sella”, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Iñigo Cordero de la Puente, has participated in Operation Noble Shield and Sea Guardian, as well as in various NATO international exercises: Dynamic Messenger 25, Nusret 25 and Dogu Akdeniz.

As for the components of the group, the “Sella” has been accompanied by the Italian command ship “Thaon di Revel”, as well as the minesweepers “Crotone” (Italy), “Evropi” (Greece) and “Akcakoca” (Turkey).

Now, the minehunter has completed an activation in which ‘the crew has once again demonstrated Spain's firm commitment to the Alliance and shown a high level of training and dedication,’ says Commander Cordero de la Puente.

NATO Standing Naval Groups: contribution of the 'Sella'

The Standing Naval Forces are under the control of NATO's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), which reports to Allied Command Operations. They are composed of NATO Standing Maritime Groups 1 and 2, and NATO Mine Countermeasures Groups 1 and 2.

This multinational, integrated force is part of the maritime component of the NATO Response Force and is continuously available to perform tasks ranging from participation in exercises to carrying out NATO missions.

In the case of SNMCMG-2, its objective is to contribute to maintaining freedom of navigation, the defence and deterrence of Alliance countries, ensuring maritime security and strengthening existing ties of friendship between NATO countries.

In this context, the capabilities of the Sella, such as the detection, location, identification and neutralisation of floating obstacles or explosives, increase the operational capacity and effectiveness of SNMCMG-2. This helps to ensure the free flow of maritime traffic, which has a direct impact on trade and the supply chain, both of which are essential for global prosperity and well-being and, therefore, for Spain.