NATO starts maritime security operation in Mediterranean Sea

NATO on Wednesday kicked off a new standing maritime security operation in the Mediterranean Sea, Operation Sea Guardian.

According to a press release, three NATO ships from Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey and two submarines from Greece and Spain will conduct the first patrols in the central Mediterranean under the operation.

Maritime patrol aircraft from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey will provide air support to the patrols.

These first patrols will run through Nov. 17.

Operation Sea Guardian has three core missions: maritime situational awareness, counter-terrorism and capacity building.

Upon decision by the Allies, Operation Sea Guardian could perform additional tasks, including upholding freedom of navigation, conducting interdiction tasks, and protection of critical infrastructure.

It will help maintain an accurate picture of daily activity in the Mediterranean to help identify possible security concerns, NATO said in the press release.

Sea Guardian comes under the command of Headquarters Allied Maritime Command, Northwood, United Kingdom.

At the Warsaw Summit in July, NATO Allies agreed to launch a new maritime security operation in the Mediterranean in response to the evolving security environment. Endit