EUROMARFOR ACTIVATED FOR DIVEX23 - MINE COUNTERMEASURES DIVING EXERCISE HOSTED BY PORTUGAL
It took place on March 19th the ceremony for the 54th activation of the European Maritime Forces (EUROMARFOR).
On March 19th, the military ceremony for the activation of the Diving Task Group of the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR) took place, in Portugal, at the Lisbon Naval Base.
The purpose of this activation is to participate in the international Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Diving Exercise DIVEX 23 starting in 20th.
The EUROMARFOR activation ceremony was chaired by Captain Nuno Baptista Pereira, Commander of the Task Group, and was attended by the Portuguese representative in the EUROMARFOR Permanent Cell, Captain Fernando Duarte da Conceição, by the Diving Unit “Gruppo Operativo Subacquei” (GOS) from Italian navy, by the Diving Unit “Buceadores de Medidas Contra Minas” (UBMCM) from the Spanish navy, and by the “Destacamento de Mergulhadores Sapadores n.º 3”, from the Portuguese navy.
Captain Baptista Pereira addressed his speech to the force, underlining that “each EUROMARFOR Activation represents an unequalled opportunity for nations to build confidence and knowledge working with each other, fostering interoperability amongst”…EUROMARFOR nations.
With his words, enhanced the role of the four nations and navies, especially because “this is the first time that we are bringing together the MCM Diving Units of EUROMARFOR member states, working together and focused only on their specific MCM diving tasks.” and in that way “create a common environment to conduct combined diving Mine Counter Measures operations with the same focus... Maritime Security”.
These units, will participate in this exercise that will take place in Sesimbra village coastal area, from 20th to 24th of April.
Specialized in military diving, the main scope will be Submarine Explosive Ordnance Disposal, carrying out operations mainly in Mine Warfare environment and in support of amphibious operations. Acting as Diving Support Unit, N.R.P. “D. Carlos I” will participate in the exercise.
Since the creation of EUROMARFOR in 1995, this is the first time that a MCM Diving TG is activated in order to work together and focus on their specific tasks.
Created in May 1995 as a follow-up to the Petersberg Declaration (1992), EUROMARFOR is a non-permanent maritime force capable of acting under the command of the European Union, NATO, UN, or even by simple agreement between the 4 member nations (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal). Its main missions are humanitarian, peacekeeping, crisis prevention and management, and maritime security.
Spain assumes the rotating command of this force since September 2021.
