Text and photo: Major Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG

For four days during DANEX 07, Commander Danish Task Group, Commodore Palle Cortes, and his staff have closely followed the mine hunter HDMS STØREN and the patrol ship HDMS SKADEN. This has been done to evaluate if the two ships with commanding officer and crew are ready to represent Denmark in international operations.

– We have conducted a so-called Operational Readiness Evaluation, where we verify the crew’s level of training in specific areas. This can for example be the ability to plan and conduct maritime operations, to communicate with other units at sea and on land, their tactical conduct and their ability to keep the ship ready for combat under difficult conditions, says Palle Cortes.

Both HDMS SKADEN with home base in Korsør and HDMS STØREN with home base in Frederikshavn passed the test.

HDMS STØREN is intended to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG 1), under command by Allied Command Operadions with headquaters in Belgium.