Turkish frigate TCG Barbaros deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on Jan. 24 as the flagship to NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) focused patrols.
The 3-week deployment is the first of six OSG focused operations scheduled this year and will run until 12 Feb. 2022.
OSG is a collaborative, year-round maritime security operation designed to maintain maritime situational awareness (MSA), deter and counter terrorism activity, and build capacity and interoperability among NATO Allies and partners. In addition to the daily MSA activities, OSG has been conducting focused patrols at specific areas of interest in the Mediterranean Sea.
This focused patrol incorporates maritime patrol aircraft from Greece, Poland, and Turkey in addition to submarines from Greece and Turkey in support of the flagship.
Simultaneously Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 comprised of the flagship ITS Margottini, ESPS Blas de Lezo and TCG Goksu, will be deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, contributing NATO’s maritime situational awareness efforts.
NATO launched OSG in 2016 to maintain an accurate picture of the maritime environment and contribute to the safety and security in the region.
