Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»U.S. Navy Takes Command Of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1
NATO MARCOM picture

U.S. Navy Takes Command Of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1

For the first time, the U.S. assumed command of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) during a change of command ceremony held onboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and via video teleconference on June 19, 2021.

Martin Manaranche 23 Jun 2021

U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs press release

U.S. Navy Capt. Sam Brasfield relieved Dutch Cmdr. Jan Wijchers of the Royal Netherlands Navy as the commander of SNMCMG1. Brasfield will command SNMCMG1 from the flagship FGS Elbe of the German Navy.

“It is a huge honor and privilege to stand before you today taking command of this Group.”

“SNMCMG1 is a multi-national integrated force that demonstrates a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance’s solidarity and cohesion. This is the first time the U.S. will lead a SNMCMG, demonstrating our resolve and commitment in supporting NATO.”

U.S. Navy Capt. Sam Brasfield

During the almost six months deployment under Dutch command, SNMCMG1 covered almost 12,000 nautical miles, flying the NATO flag and contributing to constant situational awareness in the waters and ports of Northern Europe. They executed five mine countermeasure operations, found 89 historical ordnances, reducing the risk for maritime activities in the Baltic and North Sea; participated in two different naval exercises including BALTOPS 50. During the deployment SNMCMG1 visited 18 ports, delivering the message of NATO unity and active presence in the region. During the deployment the force maintained a continuous pandemic-free bubble, ensuring the availability of the NATO Force.

After nearly 6 months, the Dutch Commander Jan Wijchers from the Royal Netherlands Navy 🇳🇱 handed over his command to the new COMSNMCMG1 from the United States Navy Sixth Fleet🇺🇸aboard USS Mount Whitney. "Leading SNMCMG1 has been a dream come true!"#StrongerTogether #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/2HF27mflUS

— COM SNMCMG1 (@COM_SNMCMG1) June 20, 2021

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation towards all SNMCMG1 personnel sailed under my command and thank them for their proven professionalism, motivation and excellent duty. With all respect, I hand over the SNMCMG1 command to Captain Sam Brasfield, and I am very certain that the readiness and professional skills and effectiveness of the SNMCMG1 under his command will continue to meet the highest standards”.

Dutch Cmdr. Jan Wijchers

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) is one of four standing maritime groups composed of ships from various allied countries. These vessels are continuously available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from participation in exercises to operational missions. They also serve as an on-call maritime force as a part of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) while exhibiting forward presence and contributing to operational interoperability among Allied naval forces to support greater regional security and stability.

Prior to assuming command, Brasfield was assigned to Commander, Task Force 68, which commands all Navy Expeditionary Forces in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing explosive ordnance disposal operations, naval construction, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in order to conduct non-combatant evacuation operations and point and area defense to protect and defend critical infrastructure and high value assets against terrorist attacks direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet.  U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

-End-

NATO SNMCMG1 US Navy 2021-06-23
Tags NATO SNMCMG1 US Navy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Related Articles

U.S., International Forces Seize Illegal Drugs in Gulf of Oman

U.S., International Forces Seize Illegal Drugs in Gulf of Oman

Naval News Staff 01 Feb 2023
A USGC vessel seized illegal drugs worth a total of $33 million from a vessel transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 30.
US Navy Showcases Operational Readiness in Exercise with Israel

US Navy Showcases Operational Readiness in Exercise with Israel

Naval News Staff 30 Jan 2023
U.S. naval forces participated in the largest-ever bilateral exercise between the United States and Israel last week, which culminated in a visit to aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)...
War in Ukraine: Western Navies See Lessons from Strategic to Tactical Levels

War in Ukraine: Western Navies See Lessons from Strategic to Tactical Levels

Dr Lee Willett 27 Jan 2023
The lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine for Western navies range from the strategic to the tactical levels, the chiefs of the French, UK, and US navies told the recent inaugural Paris Naval Conference.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved