The Italian Navy frigate Margottini has joined the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2)

On September 10, 2023, after participating in the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the battleship Roma, along with ITS Cavour, ITS Bergamini, and the submarine Gazzana, ITS Carlo Margottini (F592), the second FREMM in ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) version, joined one of the NATO naval groups operating in the Mediterranean: the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).

In this context, the unit will initially operate within Operation Noble Shield, under the tactical command of Royal Navy Rear Admiral Paul Stroude, and will subsequently provide support to Operation Sea Guardian (OSG), monitoring maritime communication lines and contributing to maintaining the necessary level of maritime security in the strategic area of the central Mediterranean, as well as a credible and effective deterrent capability.

In addition to carrying out its presence and surveillance duties, the unit will have the opportunity to interact and operate with the various navies of the Allied countries, in the context of a wide-ranging joint training activity in various areas of submarine, air, and surface defense.

The crew of Nave Carlo Margottini, under the command of Commander Claudia Di Paolo, is composed of 173 women and men.

To fulfill its mission, the unit will use the support of an SH 101 helicopter, in ASW configuration, from the Third Helicopter Group of Catania and a security team from the San Marco Marine Brigade.

(via https://www.marina.difesa.it/)