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 forces.

There are a lot of hazards on the bottom of the seas. Most of them have been delivered by man during times of war and local conflicts. It is estimated that during the First and the Second World War about 200,000 sea mines, torpedoes and bombs have been placed in northern European seas. Most of those devices reside in the Baltic, the Straits and the North Sea and still pose a serious threat.

The accident which happened in 2005 shows just how destructive mines can still be. The dormant mine lying on the sea bed for several decades turned deadly when caught in a net and hoisted aboard. Three Dutch fishermen were killed in the accident and many others injured.

In the 21st century there are other threats. Modern sea mines are both effective and relatively cheap, therefore are likely to fall into the terrorist's hands and to be used to wreak havoc across European ports. Since most of the basic commodities are being shipped to Europe by sea, one needs to remember that even a small number of mines laid in strategic points (harbor, straits, etc.) can cause large scale disruption and possibly disturb the flow of goods to the European countries.

The main mission of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group 1 is: "To provide NATO with continuous MCM capability for NRF and non-NRF operations and other activities in peacetime and periods of crisis and conflict".

Ship's equipment and abilities, as well as sailors experience, enable SNMCMG1 to undertake a wide variety of tasks. The Group is capable of supporting anti-terrorist operations and is ready to assist in the prevention of crisis situations and conflicts at seas. Units within the group are also able to assist in Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations and non combat evacuation operations, during which civilians are evacuated from threatened areas. These tasks clearly demonstrate that NATO in the form of SNMCMG1 and all NATO nations are determined to keep worldwide peace and safety at sea.

As of January 13th 2017, SNMCMG1 consists of:

SNMCMG1 is the oldest of four NATO groups operating in the international arena. It was formed in the Belgian port of Ostend May 11, 1973 as Standing Naval Force Channel (STANAVFORCHAN) and was under direct command of NATO's Allied Command Channel (ACCHAN). The purpose of the appointment of the standing squadron was primarily to ensure the safety of navigation and approaches to ports in the English Channel and in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the event of a conflict with the Warsaw Pact the squadron would have operated in the North Sea and Channel. Originally the squadron consisted of mine countermeasure ships of the Belgian Naval Force, German Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy. Two more countries (Denmark and Norway) joined the squadron in year 2000. Subsequently the operating area of the squadron was significantly expanded, and the name changed into Mine Countermeasures Force Northern Europe.

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