Türkiye Hands Over Command of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group to Italy in Aksaz Naval Ceremony

On 4 July 2025, a formal change of command ceremony took place at Türkiye’s Aksaz Naval Base, marking the transition of leadership of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) from Turkish Rear Admiral H. İlker Avcı to Italian Rear Admiral Francesco Iavazzo. The event was officiated by Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre, Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM).

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04 july 2025   |   21:40   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. NATO Maritime Command

The ceremony concluded Türkiye’s highly active seven-month command period, led by the flagship TCG Kemalreis. Under Turkish leadership, SNMG2 participated in key multinational exercises, including Steadfast Dart-25, Dynamic Manta-25, Dynamic Mariner-25/FLOTEX-25, Mare Aperto-25 and MED Strike-25. The group’s operations reflected NATO’s strategic maritime presence and deterrence posture throughout the Mediterranean.

Throughout the deployment, SNMG2 engaged in a wide range of activities—from enhancing maritime situational awareness to conducting interoperability exercises with Allied naval forces. A total of 16 warships from nine NATO Allies—Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States—contributed to the group, spending 122 days at sea.

SNMG2 made 15 port visits in six countries, facilitating engagement with over 30 civil and military authorities and projecting NATO’s commitment to unity and cooperation across the region.

Reflecting on the mission, Rear Admiral H. Ilker Avcı emphasized the collective achievement:

- With the efforts of our multinational staff, the dedicated crew of the flagship, and the participating Allied naval units, we have covered every inch of the Mediterranean Sea and showcased NATO’s superiority in the maritime domain, he stated. - We’ve directly contributed to the Alliance’s strengthened deterrence and defence posture.

During Türkiye’s command, SNMG2 maintained a high level of operational readiness and flexibility, successfully executing complex multi-task operations and supporting NATO’s maritime security operation, Sea Guardian.

Assuming command, Rear Admiral Francesco Iavazzo highlighted Italy’s enduring naval commitment to the Alliance:

- It is a profound honour and responsibility to assume command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, he said. - The Italian Navy remains firmly committed to NATO’s objectives, contributing advanced capabilities, operational expertise, and a long-standing tradition of maritime excellence.

He reaffirmed SNMG2’s mission moving forward:

- Under my command, SNMG2 will continue to uphold freedom of navigation, ensure the security of vital sea lines of communication, and maintain a credible and coherent posture of deterrence in close coordination with our Allies. Professionalism, readiness, and cohesion will continue to guide our efforts in support of NATO’s collective defence and maritime security.

SNMG2 is one of NATO’s four Standing Naval Forces, operating under Allied Maritime Command. These groups provide NATO with continuous maritime capability and rapid-response readiness, reinforcing Allied cohesion and interoperability across the full spectrum of naval operations.

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