Two Norwegian Navy Commodores traded places at the helm of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) during a change of command ceremony at the Norwegian Naval Base, Haakonsvern, on Friday.
Commodore Ole Morten Sandquis was relieved as Commander of SNMG1, by fellow countryman, Commodore Petter Kammerhuber.
At the same time, the flagship duty passed over from HNoMS Roald Amundsen to HNoMS Otto Sverdup – both are Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Since taking command on January 14, Sandquist, his staff and flagship HNoMS Roald Amundsen, operated in the Alliance`s area of responsibility in the North Atlantic with several other allied ships.
From the North Sea to the English Channel and the Baltic Sea to Iceland, the group participated in several multinational exercises and conducted continuous patrolling, providing the Alliance with immediate maritime capabilities and maritime situational awareness.
“It has been a great period of training and operations, and I trust that we have provided real Maritime Capability to NATO,” said Sandquist. “ Units that have been a part of SNMG1 during this time have left the group with a higher state of readiness, and improved interoperability with Allies and partners.”
Norway is the command group lead of SNMG1 for the year of 2017, changing command mid-way.
Sandquist and Roald Amundsen leave the group after a busy program with a fair share of the time spent at sea, visiting 10 allies and partners in 17 ports.