VILNIUS, Jun 22, BNS – Lithuania last week took over command of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) for the next six months.

Lithuanian Commander Audrius Venckunas, a Lithuanian Navy officer, will be embarked on board of LNS Jotvingis (N42), the Ministry of National Defense said in a press release.

Venckunas led a joint mine countermeasures task group, consisting of SNMCMG1 and mine countermeasures vessels from other countries, during the international maritime military exercises last week.

“For us, the BALTOPS 2020 exercise was the final chord before our rotation in the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One. I am certain that, following those exercises, we stand ready to fulfill this NATO task,” the officer said.

SNMCMG1 and its vessels are part of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

By Milena Andrukaitytė

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