RCN ships, NATO allies complete Exercise NORTHERN VIKING
By NATO Maritime Command
Exercise NORTHERN VIKING 26, a U.S.-led joint and Allied live exercise, took place in Iceland August 22 – September 3, bringing together Allied forces as they demonstrate NATO’s ability to operate together in defence of both Iceland, and the strategically vital sea lines of communication across the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) Gap.
NORTHERN VIKING 26 forms part of NATO’s broader Arctic Sentry activity, supporting the defence of Iceland and the protection of critical national and NATO infrastructure in the High North.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1), currently under Lithuanian command, contributed to the exercise alongside Allied maritime and joint forces. Its participation highlights the important role of mine countermeasures (MCM) in maintaining freedom of movement and safeguarding critical maritime routes.
The group brings together a multinational MCM capability, with minehunters from Canada (His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Moncton and Edmonton), Germany, Lithuania and Poland, supported by a Danish Mine Countermeasures team and a Portuguese Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. Together, these forces provide a diverse range of specialist capabilities while strengthening Allied interoperability and readiness in the challenging waters of the North Atlantic.
Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), which includes HMCS Ville de Québec, also joined the exercise, bringing together NATO’s standing maritime forces in the High North. Operating alongside Allied navies, the two task groups will strengthen interoperability across surface, subsurface and mine countermeasure operations, reinforcing NATO’s readiness and its ability to safeguard security in the North Atlantic through integrated multinational training.
For Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1), participation provides an opportunity to employ and further develop MCM capabilities in the demanding maritime environment of the North Atlantic and High North.
“Exercises such as NORTHERN VIKING demonstrate the value of bringing together Allied mine countermeasures forces with other maritime and joint capabilities. By training together in a demanding operational environment, we strengthen interoperability, share operational experience and improve our readiness to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic,” said Commander SNMCMG1, Lithuanian Navy Commander Donatas Gečas.
The exercise also underlines the strategic importance of the North Atlantic and the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) Gap. The waters between Greenland and Iceland, and between Iceland and the United Kingdom, form a critical maritime corridor connecting North America and Europe. Operating in this challenging environment allows Allied forces to build familiarity with the unique conditions of the region while strengthening their ability to operate together in support of NATO’s collective defence.
