Standing NATO Maritime Group One
In autumn 2022, Norway has depolyed two vessels to the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1).
The maritime group is part of the NATO Response Force, which is the Alliance's most important tool for rapid response when crises or situations occur anywhere in the world. The NATO's maritime forces consist of two frigate and destroyer forces, and two standing minehunter forces.
The Norwegian contribution
Norway regularly deploys both vessels and personnel to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). In the autumn of 2022, Norway participates with the replenishment oiler HNoMS Maud and the frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen. They join the Dutch support vessel NLMS Karel Doorman (A833) and the Portugese frigate NRP Corte-Real (F332).
The force patrols and monitors the waters of Western and Northern Europe – from Portugal to Bergen to the Baltic Sea. The force sails to where ever it is needed.
HNoMS Maud left Bergen on 12 August to join the force, and will take part in SNMG1 until November/December 2022. Maud will join the force every year from now on, since the vessel enables the force to operate over a longer period of time. The vessel can carry out refueling and supply the rest of the force with provisions, water and various equipment.
Bakground information
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NATO's standing maritime forces consist of two frigate and destroyer forces (Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 and 2), and two mine countermeasures groups (Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 and 2)
Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 was established in 1968 under the name Standing Naval Force Atlantic. The maritime force got its current name in 2005. The maritime force has had participants from most of NATO's member countries, but the number of units sailing in the group at any given time has varied.
The force commander is under the commando of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Day-to-day operations are delegated to NATO's Maritime Command in Northwood, UK.
