UK’s Joint Warrior kicks off

Over 30 ships and submarines are taking part in the UK-hosted bi-annual exercise Joint Warrior over the course of next two weeks.

Around 13,000 soldiers and sailors from 13 nations will hone their warfighting capabilities from March 26 to April 6.

Among the participants are ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) which are conducting their second large multinational exercise of the year. The group took part in TG17-1/Dynamic Guard, off the coast of Norway in February.

Commodore Ole Morten Sandquist (NOR), Commander SNMG1, will be in command of one of two maritime task groups during JW 171.

“Joint Warrior is an important exercise arena for SNMG1 as it provides us with complex and challenging training in tactics and skills needed for Joint Task Force operations,” Commodore Sandquist said.

SNMG1 currently consists of the Norwegian flagship – frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen, Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie, German oiler FGS Spessart, and Spanish frigate ESPS Reina Sofia.

Joint Warrior 172 will take place in the second half of 2017.