AOR ‘Cantabria’ deploys with NATO in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Spanish Navy Auxiliary Oiler and Replenishment ship ‘Cantabria’ (A-15) is scheduled to start a new deployment integrated into NATO’s Standing Maritime Group Number 2 (SNMG-2) along with other Allied naval units under Italian command embarked on frigate ‘Virginio Fasan’.

Under control of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), and since 2005, this multinational task force is ready and available as part of the North Atlantic Organization’s rapid reaction forces.

The A-15 will deploy with a total crew of 178 people under command of Cdr. Alberto Torres. The ship has embarked a Marine Corps operational Security Squad and an air unit (SH-3D helicopter) with its support personnel.

Last July, and after an intense overhaul, the ‘Cantabria’ conducted a series of operational qualification sea trials in the Gulf of Cadiz to certify her capabilities and verify that the ship was ready to integrate into this type of multinational naval task groups.

The deployment has been programmed for a month and a half, and the ‘Cantabria’ is scheduled to return home at the beginning of October.