NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian Security Patrols Supported by NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance

NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) Task Group led by TCG Salihreis (flagship) and the HRV Dubrovnik, concluded its fifth maritime security patrols in the Central Mediterranean on November 04. NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (NAGS) flow in directly supported the Task Group.

This flight was coordinated with the Task Group at sea and the Maritime Operations Centre at the Allied Maritime Command HQ, based at Northwood, UK. NAGS represent a state-of-the-art of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and in association with other sensors, enable to produce a better and more comprehensive picture of the maritime environment in the area of operations. These joint efforts, contributes to greater overall maritime situational awareness, offering reassurance to local and transiting mariners.

As well as the NAGS, based in Sigonella, Italy, the patrols were supported by a German Navy submarine, Portuguese and Italian maritime patrol aircraft, and early warning aircraft from Greece, Türkiye and the United States. Together these multiple assets carried out a total of 1,240 hours of patrols.

On completion of the patrols, flagship TCG Salihreis conducted a port visit to La Goulette, Tunisia.  On arrival, the Task Group Commander, Captain Kenan Kaan Turkkan (Turkish Navy) made courtesy calls to local military authorities including the Madam Mayor of La Goulette and the Tunisian Navy Squadron Commander. NATO staff had the opportunity to brief and train with the Tunisian Navy in areas of mutual interest, including Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS), Allied Worldwide Navigation Information System (AWNIS) and Search and Rescue (SAR).

On departure, the NATO flagship executed a Passing Exercise with the Tunisian Navy, in order to improve interoperability. The visit to Tunisia enabled to strengthened NATO’s partnership and cooperation with a long-standing NATO partner.

OSG is a non-Article 5 maritime security operation of NATO aimed at working with Mediterranean stakeholders and NATO partners to maintain maritime situational awareness, deter and counter terrorism and enhance capacity building, through cooperation and interoperability, promoting mutual benefits. 

(Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM)