The Netherlands assumes command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2

On 1 July, the Netherlands assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), which is currently conducting NATO’s counter piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. Dutch Commodore Michiel B. Hijmans took over from Commodore Steve J. Chick of the British Royal Navy during a ceremony in Safaga, Egypt, overseen by the Chief of Staff of the NATO Maritime Component Command in Naples, Rear Admiral Bruce N. Williams. The ceremony took place on board of HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën, which became the Group’s new flagship. The former flagship, HMS Chatham, was also present in Safaga.