NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) Task Group recently completed its sixth dedicated maritime patrol of 2023 in the Western Mediterranean Sea and off the Strait of Gibraltar, with a particular focus on fostering collaboration with NATO partners Morocco and Algeria, reported the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The task force, led by a NATO staff aboard the Spanish frigate ESPS Santa Maria and commanded by Francisco Garcia Flores, spent 16 days at sea, visiting seven vessels and inspecting 1146 different ships. The mission included official visits to Tangier and Algiers, with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the maritime domain with the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Algerian Navy.
Throughout the patrols, the flagship received support from submarines and maritime patrol aircraft from both Portugal and Spain. OSG Task Group conducted passing exercises (PASSEX) with the Royal Moroccan SIGMA 9813 class frigate Sultan Moulay Ismail and the Algerian vessel “701” El Mounjid, promoting collaboration between naval forces and improving coordination and interoperability.
These exercises covered tactical communication and advanced maneuvering.
Ships, submarines and aircraft of eight NATO nations directly supported the Operation Sea Guardian throughout the year 2023 with a total of 379 sailing days and 86 air deployments flown.
The impressive outcome includes 5,495 investigated ships, 1,224 ship interrogations, and 23 friendly visits, emphasizing the alliance’s commitment to maritime situational awareness and counter-terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea.
Five port visits and passing exercises with NATO Partner Nations in the area underscore the enduring dedication to working with partner nations toward the common goal of a free and secure sea.
Operation Sea Guardian aims to maintain maritime security through terrorism deterrence activities, specifically by enhancing the capacity for interoperability among NATO Allies and partners. In addition to daily maritime alertness activities, OSG conducts focused patrols in specific areas of interest in the Mediterranean Sea.