In a strategic demonstration of capability and readiness, Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) conducted a rigorous activation exercise this week, demonstrating the readiness-deployment of a maritime special forces unit under the control of the Special Operations Command and Control (SOCCE) in Turkey.
The above is reported on NATO's official website, noting:
NATO exercise to check cargo cargo of a merchant ship and the existence of terrorists by a group of Turkish SAT
"The comprehensive live exercise thoroughly tested and validated existing procedures, highlighting the importance of a command and control structure.
In compliance with international maritime law, Allied Naval Command executed the Flag State Consent Request process through NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), ensuring legality for conducting a ship's cargo inspection on the high seas.
After weeks of detailed planning, a highly specialized team from the Turkish Naval SOF (Special Operation Forces) under the control of SOCCE in Turkey, as part of Operation Sea Guardian, boarded the Turkish frigate TCG GOKOVA and disembarked on the M/V BLUEFISH.
This fictitious scenario involved the vessel simulating suspected illegal activities related to terrorism.
The SOF team took control of the vessel, conducting a thorough documentation inspection, searching the cargo and checking for any identified terrorists on board.
The NATO Maritime Centre played a vital role in coordinating with merchant shipping, providing invaluable support in executing the exercise in a near-realistic scenario.
Highlighting the collaborative nature of this exercise, the Turkish Navy's support was crucial to its overall success.
The SOCCE (Special Operations Command and Control Element) multinational headquarters in Turkey, tasked with conducting Naval Special Operations in the Mediterranean Sea in support of HQ MARCOM under the mandate of Operation Sea Guardian, demonstrated its ability to assume command of assigned special forces during operations.
This advanced capability exemplifies the contribution of NATO States to the Alliance, in particular in the Operation Sea Guardian mission to preserve peace and stability in the Mediterranean Sea.
"This exercise demonstrates NATO's readiness and determination to tackle the most challenging operations, effectively countering a wide range of threats in the maritime domain," said Vice Admiral Stefan Pauly, Commander, NATO Surface Forces.
"This advanced capability exemplifies the contribution of NATO nations to the Alliance, particularly in Operation Sea Guardian's mission to preserve peace and stability in the Mediterranean Sea."
OSG is a year-round cooperative maritime security operation designed to maintain Maritime Situational Awareness, deter and combat terrorism, and build capacity and interoperability among Allies and NATO partners.
NATO's trap for Turkey through its participation in this exercise
It is known to all that Turkey, during the EU's Operation Peace in the framework of UN resolutions, which aimed at controlling merchant ships bound for Libya, did not comply, as it did not allow the registration of its merchant ships, which, in violation of the resolutions of the Organisation, were used to transport weapons systems, equipment, ammunition and mercenaries to the long-suffering North African country.
However, Turkey's participation with a SAT team in the NATO merchant ship inspection exercise, we would say, mortgages its stance in the future, since it will be irreparably exposed in the eyes of the Alliance if it does not allow future inspections of its merchant ships in the Mediterranean.
