Frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ returns to Ferrol after her deployment as flagship of SNMG-2.

Frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ (F-101), has just arrived at her homeport in Ferrol after having deployed, as of June 22nd, as flagship of the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG-2). During this period the frigate operated in the Mediterranean and Black Seas under the command of Rear Admiral Manuel Aguirre and sailed alongside ships of allied navies such as Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Germany.

Throughout her deployment the frigate participated in the multinational exercises ‘SEA BREEZE’, ‘DYNAMIC MARINER’, ‘DYNAMIC GUARD’ and ‘MAVI BALINA’, calling at the ports of Odessa (Ukraine), Burgas (Bulgaria), Algiers (Algeria), Aksaz (Turkey), Souda (Greece), Toulon (France), Rota, Mahon and Cartagena. After carrying out the change of command with her sister ship ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105), the F-101 headed towards Rota Naval Base to disembark the members of the Marine Corps’ Security Operational Team and the Embarked Air Unit of the 10th Aircraft Squadron.

This deployment has been especially demanding due to the situation generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to keep the crew free of possible infections.

About the F-101

Frigate 'Álvaro de Bazán' (F-101), first of its class, was built in the Ferrol shipyard of NAVANTIA and delivered to the Spanish Navy in September 2002. Currently under command of Captain Ricardo Gómez Delgado, she is stationed in Ferrol and has a crew of about 200 people.