Backgrounder

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 under Canadian command

CEFCOM BG–06.002 - February 22, 2006

On January 26, a Canadian naval officer, Commodore Denis Rouleau, took command of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1), the standing naval force component to the NATO Response Force during a change of command ceremony held in Kiel, Germany. For the next year, Cmdre Rouleau and his international maritime staff of 21 will command t he SNMG 1, a NATO squadron consisting of destroyers and frigates from the alliance nations. The last time a Canadian held this command was in 2000 when SNMG 1 was still known as the Standing NATO Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT or SNFL). The Canadian Forces is conducting this significant NATO commitment as Operation SEXTANT .

During the first six months of Op SEXTANT , Commodore Rouleau's flagship will be HMCS Athabaskan , which is commanded by Captain (Navy) David Gardam; in July, Cmdre Rouleau will transfer his flag to HMCS Iroquois. HMCS Athabaskan left Halifax on January 11 and arrived in Germany on January 23.

For an account of Commodore Rouleau's career to date, visit Commodore Rouleau , a page on the DND/CF website.

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1

NATO has two standing maritime groups: SNMG 1 and SNMG 2, created in 2005 to replace the Standing Naval Force Atlantic and the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean. The numbers 1 and 2 are assigned to standing maritime groups in accordance with the NRF rotation with which they are aligned; SNMG1 is attached to an odd-numbered NRF rotation, and SNMG 2 to an even-numbered NRF rotation.

The SNMGs are permanent multinational squadrons, each composed of up to eight or 10 destroyers and frigates from various NATO navies, and sometimes accompanied by a replenishment ship. The SNMGs train and operate in the North Atlantic Ocean and North Sea, or the Mediterranean Sea.

Role of SNMG1

SNMG1 spends about 60 percent of its time at sea conducting exercises, co-operating with other forces to use training and support facilities efficiently, and participating in major NATO and national exercises at sea. Consequently, it plays an important part in the evolution of NATO naval tactics. SNMG1 also makes port visits throughout its area of operation to establish a NATO presence and demonstrate naval solidarity, and to provide routine naval support to diplomatic missions. While in port, the group's social, sporting and community activities demonstrate some of the less-tangible benefits of multinational co-operation.

The primary mission of SNMG 1 is to prepare and execute its NRF tasking while providing a rapid-intervention capability across a broad spectrum of operations. The NRF tasking is a one-year commitment comprising a Preparation Phase of six months, and a Stand-by Phase of six months. The Preparation Phase ends with Exercise STEADFAST JAQUAR , which will test the group's readiness for operations with the NRF.

The operational roles of SNMG 1 include (but are not limited to): embargo enforcement, search and rescue, delivery of disaster relief and humanitarian aid, maritime interdiction, escort duties, monitoring and intelligence-gathering, and counter-terrorism operations. During its six-month Stand-by Phase, SNMG 1 also provides a Very High Readiness Element to NATO Commanders.

For more information on SNMG1, visit SNMG , a page on the NATO website.

The NATO Response Force

The NRF is a technologically advanced high-readiness force made up of land, air, sea and special forces elements that NATO can deploy quickly to respond to a wide variety of operational commitments anywhere in the world, wherever it is needed.

The NRF exists to execute missions that require the ability to react fast with the most capable forces. Deployed by itself, it can prevent disputes from escalating into full-blown conflicts. As the lead element of a phased deployment, it can facilitate the arrival of follow-on forces. As part of a large force, it can take part in the full range of Alliance military operations.

Each NRF commitment lasts one year, and comprises a Preparation Phase of six months and a Stand-by Phase of six months.

For more information on the NRF visit NRF , a page on the NATO website.

NATO Collective Training

Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 2006

During the Preparation Phase, SNMG1 will take part in Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 2006 to prove its combat readiness for operations as the maritime component of the NRF. Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER is an annual NATO exercise held at sea to develop joint warfare and interoperability skills. The 2006 version will train the maritime component of the NRF and other NATO maritime forces in an asymmetric, multi-threat environment and prepare them to operate together in littoral waters.

Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 2006 will run from March 24 to April 6, 2006, in the North Sea, the German Bight, the Skagerak and Kattegat, and adjacent territorial waters. Participating units include more than 80 ships, submarines and aircraft from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Britain and the United States, as well as vessels from Sweden, Finland and Ukraine.

For more information, visit Exercise Brilliant Mariner , a page on the NATO website.

Exercise STEADFAST JAGUAR 06

The NRF reached initial operational capability with approximately 17,000 troops in 2004. It is scheduled to achieve full operational capability in 2006 with about 25,000 troops. Exercise STEADFAST JAGUAR 06 , to be held in the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa in June 2006, will demonstrate the NRF concept and prove that it is viable.

Exercise STEADFAST JAGUAR 06 will involve up to 12 warships and about 2,500 ground troops in a volcanic eruption scenario. NRF 7 will contribute a brigade-sized land component with “forced-entry” capability, a naval task force led by an aircraft carrier battle group, an amphibious task group, a surface action group, and an air component capable of 200 combat sorties per day.

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