Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) standing mine countermeasures immediate reaction force. Its role is to provide NATO with an immediate operational response capability.^[1]

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1
Active	1973–present
Allegiance	North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Commanders
Current commander	Commander Erik Kockx, Belgian Navy

History

From its activation at Ostend on 11 May 1973, the unit was initially called Standing Naval Force Channel (STANAVFORCHAN).^[2]

STANAVFORCHAN and her sister force Mine Counter Measures Force Mediterranean (MCMFORMED) were tasked in June 1999 to operate in the Adriatic Sea to clear ordnance jettisoned during Operation Allied Force. The combined force comprised 11 minehunters and minesweepers and a support ship. The operation, named Allied Harvest, began on 9 June 1999. Search activities began three days later and lasted 73 days. In total, 93 pieces of ordnance were located and cleared in the nine areas which encompassed 1,041 square nautical miles (3,570 km²; 1,379 sq mi).^[3]

From 3 September 2001 it was known as the Mine Countermeasures Force North Western Europe (MCMFORNORTH) and from 1 January 2005 it became Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1.^[2]

Current ships

SNMCMG1 in Gerangerfjord, Norway, 9 March 2022.

SNMCMG1 consists of:^[4]

• (Flagship) hydrographic survey vessel HNLMS Luymes
• Frankenthal-class minehunter Datteln
• Alkmaar-class minehunter HNLMS Schiedam (M860)
• Koster class HSwMS Ulvön (M77)
• Oksøy-class mine hunter HNoMS Hinnøy (M343)

See also

• Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2
• Standing NATO Maritime Group 1
• Standing NATO Maritime Group 2