The group comprising the Command Ship, HDMS THETIS, one minehunter HMS QUORN, and one mine sweeper, HNoMS RAUMA have had the opportunity to practice various aspects of warfare.

Commander SNMCMG1 Cdr s.g. Henrik Holck Rasmussen (Royal Danish Navy) said:

“The sustained and demanding nature of this exercise most definitely ensured that every single member of SNMCMG1 was tested fully throughout. Exercises like this help us to achieve our aim of making the seas safer for all users.”

The exercise tested all aspects of the ships fighting ability, including first aid and medical, with casualties from all ships being brought to the hospital onboard HDMS THETIS for treatment. The individual and group damage control exercises served to not only test procedures but provide casualties for the medics.

Nights have been used for demanding navigation exercises through areas such as the Little Belt and for developing night diving capabilities and experience.

The Danish forsyningsskib Sleipner laid exercise mines in the assigned operating area making the exercise much more realistic and placing higher demands on the two MCMV’s. Furthermore, the environment was extremely challenging making it difficult to locate and dispose of the mines. The sea state, strong tidal stream and a significant layer, in the area off Djursland, placed significant demands on HMS QUORN’s mine hunting team.

HNoMS RAUMA succeeded in disposing of two exercise mines through use of her mechanical mine sweeping gear, clearing a path through the exercise mine field in order to allow the Flag Ship to pass safely through. The MCM phase of the exercise was concluded by the British minehunter, HMS QUORN, conducting a mine disposal demonstration on a US MK25-2 ground mine, laid as part of the exercise.

A coordinated search and rescue simulation brought the Danish exercise to an end. The Group working closely together throughout, searched a specified area of sea to locate 3 persons who were reported as missing after their ship, which had collided with another vessel, sunk. All simulated personnel were located quickly and brought to HDMS THETIS where they received treatment from the medical team onboard.

The crews will arrive in Svendborg today (11 December) after an intense and successful exercise. The ships will enjoy a short, but well deserved, rest before departing for their base ports and Christmas leave. HMS QUORN will depart on 13 December for Portsmouth. HDMS THETIS and HNoMS RAUMA will depart 15 December for Naval Stations Frederikshavn and Haakonsvern respectively.