Five years of NATO’s Mediterranean counter-terrorist operation
Over the past five years, as part of the counter-terrorist operation Active Endeavour, NATO ships have been patrolling the Mediterranean and have monitored some 83,000 ships.
The 5th anniversary celebration of Operation Active Endeavour, an on-going NATO mission conducted by the Allied Maritime Component Command Naples, was held at the command’s headquarters in Nisida today.
Admiral H. G. Ulrich III, Commander Allied Joint Force Command- Naples, during the ceremony presented CC-MAR, on the behalf of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, with a NATO pennant representing the operation’s accomplishments in the global fight against terrorism.
He said that the Operation is an absolutely vital operation and emphasised that maritime challenges demand close collaboration and information sharing. NATO is working closely with Partnership for Peace countries using assets from sea, land and air to accomplish the mission. Admiral Ulrich said, “Because of these efforts we are beginning to gain an advantage over those who abuse the freedom of the seas through illegal immigration, and illegal trafficking in arms, drugs, and human beings.”
During his speech, Vice Admiral Roberto Cesaretti, Commander CC-MAR, paid tribute to the thousands of men and women serving on ships, planes and on land tasked with defending NATO against terrorism. He emphasised they embodied NATO’s determination to create a stable environment.
“I have no doubt the presence of NATO and partner assets in the Mediterranean throughout the past five years have had a significant impact on those who may have otherwise used the Mediterranean and international waters to try and do harm,” he said.
Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, NATO implemented Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. Operation Active Endeavour is one of the measures resulting from that action and expands the options available in the campaign against terrorism. In the past five years more than 83,000 ships have been hailed and more than 100 boardings have taken place.
NATO’s first collective defense operation has evolved into a comprehensive, continuously adapting, counter-terrorism operation throughout the Mediterranean. In the process, the Alliance has contributed to maintaining peace, stability and security in a strategic region, obtaining invaluable experience of maritime interdiction operations. This is developing increasingly effective intelligence-gathering and sharing procedures relevant to the wider struggle against international terrorism.