Indian Ocean, 7 September 2007 - On 30 July a Force of NATO ships set sail to make an historic 12,500 nautical mile circumnavigation of the African continent on a two month deployment from August to October this year as part of NATO’s commitment to global security. Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), one of NATO’s four standing maritime forces, has sailed from the Mediterranean in early August past the west coast of Africa and the Niger Delta. The latter region has seen many incidents in recent months, including kidnapping of oil workers and attacks on oil installations by criminal groups.

The deployed multinational force comprised of six ships from six different NATO nations, Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal and the United States will improve the Alliance’s ability to plan and conduct operations far from home territory. The deployment will also test NATO’s logistics support systems, foster closer links with some of the region’s maritime forces, and increase knowledge of the African littoral.

The Force, under the command of Rear Admiral Michael K. Mahon, US Navy, visited South Africa for a six day visit to Cape Town at the end of August. During the visit the task group conducted a series of exercises with the South African Navy and Air Force.

The Group is now embarking on the second half of its African deployment, which consists of a transit to and port visit in the Seychelles, from 14 to 18 September. Following the port visit SNMG1 will conduct presence operations off the Horn of Africa, an area in which the safe passage of vessels carrying aid and humanitarian assistance to that region has increasingly been disturbed by acts of piracy. The SNMG1 African deployment will conclude with presence operations in the Red Sea followed by passage through the Suez Canal to Mediterranean.

Further information on the deployment is available on the website http://www.manw.nato.int and www.manw.nato.int/snmg1

Source: Nato ( Standing NATO Maritime Group 1)

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