Group will conduct an official visit to New York City where they will hold a NATO 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony.

SNMCMG1 usually operates in the waters of northern Europe, however, MCC Northwood occasionally tests the ability to deploy over longer distances, and sustain MCM operations out of area. To that end, it has been 11 years since SNMCMG1 operated on the American East coast.

At present SNMCMG1 consists of the Flag Ship HDMS THETIS, four Mine Hunters and one Mine Sweeper from the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, United Kingdom and Norway. The group is scheduled to conduct operations along the North American East coast from late August until early October. During this period two Canadian Mine Hunters and four Canadian staff officers will join the Group.

Throughout the deployment, the five MCMV’s will frequently be supplied with fuel form an astern replenishment system onboard HDMS THETIS, the system being kindly provided by the Norwegian Navy.

It will come as no surprise to learn that the demand for fuel during an Atlantic passage is high. Therefore, in order to ensure the groups sustainability HDMS THETIS seized the opportunity to rendezvous with USNS PATUXENT, mid way between the Azores and Nova Scotia, in order to top up with some 300 cubic meters of fuel from the American Fleet Tanker.

The encounter was brief but the benefit was great and above all, it is good to know that there is always someone looking out for you.