Barbaros-class frigate (MEKO 200 TN II-B) TCG Kemalreis [F-247] docks at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, USA before the start of FLETEX.
14/08/2014SNMG2 arrives in Mayport for FLEETEX
MAYPORT, Fla. – Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) arrived today in Mayport, Fla. for a scheduled port visit in advance of Fleet Exercises (FLEETEX). FLEETEX are multi-warfare naval exercises designed to promote force integration and test multiple war fighting skill sets. Ships from the U.S., Canadian, German and Turkish navies will participate in the exercises.
This port visit and FLEETEX are part of a series of training exercises in which SNMG2 will participate during its deployment to the Western Atlantic. This is the first time in several years that a NATO task force has conducted transatlantic operations in North America. These events offer multiple opportunities for training at the highest levels of maritime operations.
FLEETEX will feature anti-air, anti-submarine, live fire and ship handling scenarios designed to provide high-end warfare training and valuable experience through integrated task group training. SNMG2, CSG8 and Canadian forces will train together as a force to learn how to work as a cohesive unit in response to a variety of threat scenarios.
SNMG2 ships currently deployed to North America include the U.S. flagship, USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55), the German ship FGS NIEDERSACHSEN (F 208), and the Turkish ship TCG KEMALREIS (F 247). KEMALREIS is the first Turkish warship to visit the U.S. in 15 years, and this will be the first trip to the U.S. for the majority of their crew
OFFICIAL RELEASE OF ALLIED MARITIME COMMAND (MARCOM)
TCG Kemalreis firing her 5-inch gun at Atlantic Ocean during a NATO exercise.