Nato squadron on 'welcome' break
A Nato squadron made up of six ships from five European countries is in Malta until Monday morning in order to give the 300 sailors a welcome break in between exercises in the Mediterranean. The visit is also contributing to the continuous development...
A Nato squadron made up of six ships from five European countries is in Malta until Monday morning in order to give the 300 sailors a welcome break in between exercises in the Mediterranean.
The visit is also contributing to the continuous development of relations between Nato and Malta and demonstrated Nato's solidarity, squadron commander Michael Mann (Germany) and Lt. Cdr Sami Tübek (Turkey) said yesterday.
The squadron arrived from Palermo and from here will be heading outside the Malta channel to conduct area survey operations of the seabed.
The squadron - Mine Countermeasures Force Southern Europe (MCMForSouth) - is currently made up of the FGS Rhein and the FGS Überherrn from Germany, the SPS Sella from Spain, the ITS Viesta from Italy, the HN Kissa from Greece and the TCG Enez from Turkey.
Germany, Greece, Turkey, Spain and Italy are the permanent members of the squadron, which is periodically also joined by Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
MCMForSouth was activated in May 1999 and it normally operates in the Mediterranean. Its composition varies but comprises mine hunters, sweepers and a support ship. Command of the force rotates among the permanent members of the squadron.
MCMForSouth is ready to sail from wherever it is within 24 hours in the event of a crisis.