NATO Naval Forces,  Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1,  took part in U.K.-led exercise Joint Warrior 17-1 off the coast of Scotland.  - Photo by NATO Maritime Command

ATLANTIC OCEAN - NATO Naval Forces wrapped up their participation in U.K. tri-service multinational exercise Joint Warrior 17-1, held off the coast of Scotland, on Thursday, Apr. 6, 2017.

Both Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) took part in the exercise which brought together training across multiple domains and environments including underwater, air, surface, land as well as electronic and information warfare.

"Joint Warrior was very well planned and executed. It provided a range of challenging scenarios that could realistically be encountered in operations. Together with professional and highly skilled counterparts, it gave us challenging and good training for use in a combined joint task force," said Commodore Ole Morten Sandquist, Commander SNMG1. "We entered the exercise as a group of ships at a high level of readiness but left in even better shape. I am very pleased with the outcome of the exercise."

Meantime, SNMCMG1 Commander Johan-Elias Seljamaa said, "JW 17-1 provided high level training for SNMCMG1, as the scenario was designed to allow exercising in core war fighting areas in a multi threat environment. All of the training aims were achieved at a high level. I am particularly happy about the good integration that we achieved while exercising together within the group with different capabilities."

SNMG1 is now conducting a port visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland while SNMCMG1 is heading to Liverpool, England.

To learn more about Exercise Joint Warrior and NATO's Allied Maritime Command, visit their website at www.mc.nato.int