NATO Sets Sail in the Black Sea

Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) is entering the Black Sea for the second time this year to conduct further routine operations and to participate in exercise Sea Breeze and Breeze.

SNMG2 will enter the Black Sea under the command of the Italian Navy Rear Admiral Stefano Russo onboard ITS Fasan.

Regular presence of a Standing Naval Force in the Black Sea region is a way for the Alliance to show presence in this area of responsibility.

During its deployment in the Black Sea, and after the joining of TCG Barbaros and ROS Regina Maria, SNMG2 will participate in bilateral U.S.-Ukraine exercise Sea Breeze 2020.

SNMG2 will also participate in the Bulgarian-led maritime exercise, Breeze 2020, also held in the Black Sea.

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NATO Standing Groups regularly participate in exercises in the Black Sea with Allied nations bordering the Black Sea to improve interoperability, practice NATO standard procedures, tactics and techniques.

SNMG2 is one of four standing forces that comprise the maritime component of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), which is part of the NATO Response Force (NRF). To respond to contingency situations, additional forces can be added to these groups, with the NATO command staff on board and the ships of the Group as the nucleus, capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.