The minehunter ‘Duero’ (M-35) will integrate into the Standing NATO Maritime Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2)

The minehunter ‘Duero’ has set sail towards the port of Alicante to integrate into the Standing NATO Maritime Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2). The deployment will last two months.

The integration of the M-35 into the SNMCMG-2 takes place after an intense training period and operational qualification trials to reach the scheduled A2 level. The ‘Duero’ will have the chance to further train along with the Greek MCM ship ‘Hevropi’, the Turkish ‘Erdek’, the German ‘Homburg’ and the Italian command ship ‘Aviere’.

Among other, two important exercises have been programmed for the SNMCMG-2 in October: ‘Spanish Minex’ hosted by Spain in Cartagena waters and ‘Noble Mariner 2014’ off the coast of Cádiz and the Alboran Sea.

These exercises are organized by Spain with participation of naval, air, surface, land and submarine units from several NATO and non-NATO nations. The scheduled ports of call for crew rest and supply purposes during SNMCMG-2’s deployment are: Casablanca (Morocco), Cartagena, Algiers (Algeria), Palma de Mallorca and Rota.

Participation in this type of Task Groups is part of the international commitments assumed by Spain within NATO and is a great occasion for training and operational opportunities for Spanish Navy MCM units.