5 June 2003

NATO’s naval capabilities on display Top Alliance decision-makers travelled to the Spanish port city of Alicante on 5 June for a demonstration of the Alliance’s naval capabilities during the annual NATO Sea Day. NATO's Standing Naval forces in the Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) assembled off Alicante to demonstrate the interoperability between NATO countries' naval forces to the North Atlantic Council, the Military Committee and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson. The Ambassadors and senior military officials visited the ships and witnessed demonstrations of compliant boarding, fast patrol boat attack, replenishment at sea and anti-submarine warfare. Vessels and aircraft from seven NATO nations took part, demonstrating the level of integration NATO's multinational naval forces can achieve. The event also highlighted Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s maritime contribution to the international fight against terrorism. As part of the operation, Alliance naval forces monitor shipping in the Mediterranean and escort civilian shipping through the Straits of Gibraltar. The narrow Straits of Gibraltar are widely recognised as a potential site of terrorist attacks, and so the measure has been agreed as a precaution. Additional information: NATO Press release(2003)061 - 2 June 2003 "NAC SEA DAY" in Alicante on 5 June 2003 OTAN Communiqué de presse(2003)061 - 2 juin 2003 Le Conseil se rend à Alicante le 5 juin 2003 pour la "Journée de la mer" NATO Multimedia - 5 June 2003 High resolution pictures of the "NAC SEA DAY" in Alicante, Spain on 5 June 2003 Photos courtesy AFSOUTH Photos courtesy NATO