Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz del Río concludes his tour of duty as Commander SNMG-2

The Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) made up of the Spanish, Turkish and Canadian frigates ‘Cristóbal Colón’, ‘Kemalreis’ and ‘Regina’, and the US Navy cruiser ‘Leyte Gulf’, arrived at Málaga for the change of command ceremony.

The ceremony, whereby Spanish Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz del Río was relieved by his US Navy counterpart RA Brad Williamson, was presided over by the Chief of NATO’s Maritime Command, Royal Navy Vice-admiral Peter Hudson.

RA Díaz del Río has completed his tenure commanding this NATO Task Force in the Indian Ocean integrated in the counter-piracy operation ‘Ocean Shield’ during six months, and a further seven-month period contributing to the counter-terrorist operation ‘Active Endeavour’ in the Mediterranean.

Spain took command of SNMG-2 on June 15th 2013 and after more than a year the Task Group has sailed more than 65,000 miles during 277 days at sea.