Minehunter ‘Turia’ concludes deployment with the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2).

Minehunter ‘Turia’ has just returned to her home port in Cartagena after a three-month deployment integrated into the Second Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group (SNMCMG-2).

During her integration in SNMCMG-2, the ‘Turia’ took part in exercises ‘Spanish and Italian Minex’, ‘Breeze’ and ‘Sea Shield’. The M-34 sailed under NATO’s flag in the Black Sea participating in many patrols implementing NATO’s naval procedures to enhance training and interoperability among MCM units.

The Spanish minehunter also participated in Operation ‘Active Endeavour’ to counter maritime terrorist activities in the Mediterranean Sea and in other operations focused on securing the free traffic of non-combatant allied ships through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The main mission of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two is to provide the Atlantic Alliance with a permanent capability to conduct mine countermeasures operations both, in peacetime and crisis or conflict periods.

The ‘Turia’ (M-34) with a complement of 44 people, is the fourth ‘Segura’-class minehunter commissioned into active service with the Spanish Navy in October 2000.