NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Philip Breedlove, paid a visit to Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO (SNMG2) flagship ESPS BLAS DE LEZO accompanied by Commander Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) Vice Admiral Peter Hudson during Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 2013.
SACEUR and MARCOM received a comprehensive brief from Rear Admiral Diaz del Rio about SNMG2 activities and challenges. General Breedlove thanked the crew for their outstanding support to the exercise, countless days of at-sea operations, and selfless dedication to the NATO mission.
“I am extremely proud of the men and women serving in NATO’s Maritime forces, and it is an honour to help guide the most connected multi-national naval force the world has ever known,” said General Breedlove. “But whether we are conducting real world operations or exercises, we in NATO are never complacent. We are constantly learning and will continuously strive to improve our skills by conducting exercises like Brilliant Mariner.”
During the exercise, Commander of SNMG2 Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz del Rio and his staff are being certified as Commander Task Group (CTG) Surface Group for the NATO Response Force (NRF).
SACEUR departed the flagship having gained a unique appreciation and insight into NATO’s maritime tactical level operations.
[mappress] Press release, October 3, 2013; Image: NATO ACO