Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) held a Change of Command Ceremony in Riga, marking the transition of leadership from Latvia to Poland. During the event, Latvian Navy Commander Jānis Auce formally transferred authority to incoming Polish Navy Commander Kacper Sterne, underscoring NATO’s ongoing rotation of leadership roles and the Alliance’s collective dedication to maritime security.
Under the leadership of Commander Auce, SNMCMG1 conducted extensive mine countermeasure and maritime security operations throughout the Baltic Sea region. In total, the group detected 57 historical sea mines and four pieces of unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO), including five Danish MK25 mines. They successfully neutralized and destroyed 40 of the historical mines, all five MK25 mines, and all four UXO, significantly enhancing navigational safety and supporting maritime freedom.
During Baltic Sentry – a coordinated NATO effort focused on safeguarding vital undersea infrastructure and enhancing maritime situational awareness – the group’s persistent and initiative-taking presence played a crucial role in deterring potential threats. Their continuous patrols, surveillance activities, and rapid-response readiness ensured that no critical maritime infrastructure was compromised, strengthening NATO’s commitment to vigilance, deterrence, and the protection of key sea lines of communication across the Baltic region.
SNMCMG1 actively participated in a series of multinational exercises – including Sea Breeze 25, Sandy Coasts 25, Northern Coasts 25, Estonian Historical Ordnance Disposal Operations (HODOPS) 25, Finnish HODOPS 25, and Freezing Winds 25 – further enhancing interoperability and operational readiness among Allied naval forces.
“The past six months have been one of the most demanding and professionally rewarding periods of my career,” said Commander Auce. “The outcomes clearly demonstrate our contribution to strengthening NATO’s collective defense and deterrence posture. Over this time, we have effectively conducted combat-sustainment training, achieved full integration, and executed all assigned missions as a cohesive Task Group. Our presence and readiness have delivered a clear and credible deterrence message, demonstrating Allied resolve and the ability to respond decisively to any threat. With our actions we confirm – SNMCMG1 is ready to fight for every inch of NATO territory.”
Throughout the deployment, 11 ships operated within the Task Group, representing 11 NATO Allies: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. Together, the group sailed more than 12,760 nautical miles, conducting continuous operations at sea.
The Change of Command ceremony highlights NATO’s enduring presence in the Baltic Sea and the vital role of SNMCMG1 in maintaining maritime security, freedom of navigation, and regional stability. SNMCMG1 remains ready to respond at short notice and continues contributing to NATO’s collective defense and deterrence posture.
SNMCMG1 is one of four standing NATO maritime groups providing continuous maritime presence and readiness in peacetime, crisis, and conflict. Deployments like this contribute to Allied assurance measures, enhance interoperability, and demonstrate NATO’s ability to operate across the entire North Atlantic, in the Baltic sea and the Arctic approaches.