SNMG1 participates in Norwegian exercise TG 21-1

Royal Norwegian Navy Frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen and HMCS Halifax conduct Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) in the Norwegian Sea on Feb. 18, during Task Group 21-1. Photo by S1 Bryan Underwood

Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) recently took part in Task Group (TG) 21-1 from Feb. 8-19. It is an annual maritime exercise conducted by the Royal Norwegian Navy in the waters and fjords off the coast of Bergen, Norway.

TG 21-1 supported the training and qualification of NATO future submarine commanders, while enhancing the surface and underwater warfighting skills of 11 participating warships and submarines from six Allied nations: Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.

These vessels were joined by numerous smaller aircraft and helicopters, including the embarked maritime helicopter air detachments on board the SNMG1 flagship HMCS Halifax, and the Danish HDMS Hvidbjørnen.

These training exercises were designed to increase Allied readiness and interoperability, as well as the capability to conduct various high-intensity operations in the challenging Norwegian littoral and Arctic environment, which consists of high mountains and narrow fjords.

“Our aim is to provide first-class training within Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), as well as realistic scenarios for submarines,” said Rear Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy. “It is vital that we develop and maintain our basic warfighting skills, and that we do it together. The participation of SNMG1 adds value and improves the quality of the training.”

During TG 21-1, NATO was represented by Halifax, German Navy tanker Spessart, French Navy frigate Latouche-Tréville, and Royal Norwegian Navy frigate Fridtjof Nansen.

“TG 21-1 provided excellent and unique training opportunities for SNMG1, especially with respect to validating our ASW tactics, techniques, and procedures,” said Commodore Bradley Peats, Commander of SNMG1. “It was a privilege to have taken part in such a robust training exercise that is renowned as being among the very best in the world. These exercises clearly demonstrate NATO’s collective capabilities and responsiveness to a continuously evolving security environment in the region.”

As TG 21-1 was conducted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, strictly enforced health protection measures and other mitigation protocols were put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection among participating vessels, and any resulting impacts on operations and training. This included hosting a virtual pre-sail conference and prohibiting non-essential physical interaction between foreign crews and local assets. When such interactions were deemed necessary, mask wearing, physical distancing, and other measures were employed to the fullest extent possible.

Following TG 21-1, SNMG1 will participate in the annual NATO exercise Dynamic Guard 21-1 that focuses on air defence and electronic warfare. Dynamic Guard 21-1 is a week-long exercise linked with TG 21-1 which began Feb. 22 in the coastal area north of Bergen around the Fedje island.

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