The Canadian frigate HMCS St. John’s, operating as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), conducted a port visit to Reykjavik December 9.
The visit underscores NATO’s ongoing commitment to the security and stability of the North Atlantic region, an area vital for transatlantic communication, trade, and military cooperation.
During the visit, the ship took on supplies, and the crew had the opportunity for rest and recuperation. The visit also provided an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation with an important NATO Ally.
SNMG1, a permanent multinational maritime task group, plays a key role in maritime presence, deterrence, and rapid deployment capability. The group is currently operating in the High North and Northern Atlantic regions, conducting maritime presence operations.
Through patrols and exercises in the North Atlantic, the group contributes to early detection of security risks, the protection of vital sea lines of communication, and enhanced interoperability among Allied navies.
During the current deployment, SNMG1 conducted multiple maritime exercises, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense training, and flight operations. The group is also integrating with Allied forces by participating in the Norwegian exercise Arctic Advance 2025.
With this port visit, NATO reaffirms its commitment to provide security and presence in the North Atlantic region, built on close cooperation among Allies.
SNMG1 is one of four standing NATO maritime groups under NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) 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.
