LNS JOTVINGIS is conducting a port visit to Latvia with Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE
On August 15-17 Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group ONE (SNMCMG1) currently under a six-month command of Commander Giedrius Permeneckas of the Lithuanian Navy conducted a port visit to Riga, Latvia.
On August 16 at the invitation of H.E. Ričardas Degutis, Ambassador of Lithuania to Latvia, SNMCMG1 Commander Giedrius Permeneckas and Defence Attaché of Lithuania to Estonia, Latvia and Finland Lieutenant Colonel Petras Montvilas a photo exhibition, reflecting the first decade of Lithuania‘s and other Baltic States’ NATO membership was opened at the command and supply ship JOTVINGIS, followed by a reception for the representatives of Latvian governmental institutions, diplomatic corps and SNMCMG1 ships.
On the occasion of Riga Days - on Saturday and Sunday - the inhabitants and the guests of Riga had an opportunity to visit SNMCMG1 vessels moored at Riga Cruise Terminal. The visitors were also able to tour the SNMCMG1 flagship, command and supply vessel of the Lithuanian Navy, LNS JOTVINGIS (N 42), hosting the international SNMCMG1 staff aboard.
5 other SNMCMG1 mine hunters and sweepers were also available for visiting: the Polish Navy’s ORP FLAMING, the German Navy’s FGS DATTELN, the Norwegian Navy’s HNoMS KARMOY, the Latvian Navy’s LVA TALIVALDIS, and the Estonian Navy’s ENS SAKALA.
SNMCMG1 is a multinationally formed standing maritime rapid response mine counter-measures unit providing NATO with a capability to provide mine counter-measures during exercises and actual operations. SNMCMG1 completes at-sea mine clearance operations, and attends multinational training events within NATO framework and with NATO partners in the waters of Northern Europe.
SNMCMG1 vessels are committed by naval NATO member states and led by commanders posted by NATO countries on a half-year rotational basis.
Commander Giedrius Premeneckas of the Lithuanian Navy will be in command of SNMCMG1 from the beginning of August till the end of the year. This is the first time of Lithuania taking command of Standing NATO Mine-Counter Measures Group One.
Lithuania has also committed LNS JOTVINGIS (N 42) for duty in SNMCMG1 in the second semester of 2014.
Apart from the JOTVINGIS the current SNMCMG1 rotation is made up of mine counter-measures vessels from another 5 NATO states (Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Norway and Germany).
Photo credits: Sergeant Cedric Artigues
