EUROMARFOR supports NATO efforts in the Mediterranean

French frigate Courbet started as flagship to NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) along with ITS Carabiniere in direct support by European Maritime Force, NATO Maritime Command announced on 28th May. OSG focused patrol runs May 27 to Jun 16 2020, in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean.

The European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR) is a non-standing, multinational military force created by France, Italy, Spain and Portugal and can be employed within the framework of other international organizations such as the UN, NATO, OSCE or other multinational coalitions as long as the four partner nations agree.

This is the second time, after the participation in Operation Active Endeavour in 2002, that EUROMARFOR has contributed its assets to a NATO Operation. And, it is the 1st time EUROMARFOR is committed directly under NATO command. This is one example of building greater synergies between NATO and other international organizations, in order to reinforce maritime security, especially in the Mediterranean.

These units are directly supported by an Italian submarine under NATO command. Additionally, the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) and surface units from France and Turkey, are supporting to this Focused Patrol. Maritime Patrol Aircrafts (MPA) and Airborne Early Warning units from several NATO countries including Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Turkey and United Kingdom contribute with specific air support.

Operation Sea Guardian is a non-Article 5 Maritime Security Operation, working with Mediterranean stakeholders to deter and counter terrorism, project stability and mitigate the risk of other threats to security for NATO Allies and partners in the Mediterranean Sea and its surrounding area. OSG has three core missions: maritime situational awareness, counter-terrorism and capacity building.

To ensure the safety of the staff and crews, and following NATO’s preventive measures for minimizing COVID-19 risk, Task Group representatives were briefed via teleconferencing while still at their home ports. They received briefings on the mission specifics, including maritime security operations, command and control as well as intelligence gathering, logistics, legal, strategic communications and several others.