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NATO: Command of SNMCMG2 to transfer from Italy to Turkey

Xinhua, July 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The change of command ceremony for the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG 2), a standing mine countermeasures immediate reaction force, took place at Erdek Naval Base in Turkey on Thursday.

Captain Ramazan Kesgin of the Turkish Navy served as commander of SNMCMG2, the successor to Captain Giovanni Piegaja of the Italian Navy.

"I am proud to hand over to my Turkish colleague SNMCMG2 that is ready for all naval tasks from mine warfare to more challenging operations," said Piegaja.

He added, "I am sure we have completed our mission satisfactorily and contributed to NATO's presence at sea by enhancing maritime security and assuring allies of NATO's solidarity and commitment to collective defense."

Additional mine counter-measures vessels will join the NATO Group in the near future, according to NATO's press release. Endit