AOR ‘Patiño’ and F-100 frigates ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ and ‘Blas de Lezo’ leave Ferrol to deploy in several international missions

The ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ and the ‘Patiño’ will join NATO’s Standing Maritime Group No. 2 (SNMG-2), and the ‘Blas de Lezo’ the Expeditionary Task Group ‘Dédalo 25’.

The auxiliary oiler and replenishment ship (AOR) ‘Patiño’ and the frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’, ordinarily stationed at the Ferrol Arsenal (NW Spain), sailed on the afternoon of January 25 to join the SNMG-2, thus beginning a deployment that will last until mid-May. Likewise, the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ set sail to join the Expeditionary Task Group ‘Dédalo-25’. The farewell ceremonies for the three ships were presided over by the Commander of the 31^st Surface Squadron, Captain Jesús Viñas Barciela.

The SNMG-2 is a Standing Naval Group of the Atlantic Alliance, operating in Mediterranean waters and forming the core of NATO’s Maritime High Readiness Force, within the framework of the operation ‘Noble Shield’.  The Expeditionary Task Group ‘Dédalo-25’ contributes to support the Alliance’s deterrence and defense operations.

Both deployments reinforce the commitment of Spain and the Armada to the Alliance, as well as the solidarity with the rest of NATO member states, supporting deterrence and collective defense in and from the sea.

The frigates ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ and ‘Blas de Lezo’ and the AOR ‘Patiño’ commanded by Cdrs. Pablo Rodríguez Tortosa, Pedro Jesús Ramos Carbonell and Ramón González-Cela Echevarría respectively, are three of the seven ships that make up the 31^st Surface Squadron. During these deployments, around 600 men and women will participate in the missions on board the ships.