The Cristóbal Colón frigate leaves Ferrol to join NATO Permanent Group number 2

Farewell act of the frigate Cristóbal Colón (F-105) in the Arsenal de Ferrol, which has been presided over by the Commander of the 31st Surface Squad, captain of the ship Santiago Vila Barron.

The Cristóbal Colón plans to arrive in a week to the Greek Mediterranean port of Souda, where it will relive with the frigate Álvaro de Bazán and will embark the General Staff of the Group, currently under the command of the Spanish counteradmiral Manuel Aguirre. The F-105 will act as a command ship throughout its deployment, in which it will carry out exercises, operations and naval presence throughout the Mediterranean, until April.

During its integration, the F-105 will contribute to the operations by providing a high capacity for air defence and detection thanks to its AEGIS combat system and the SPY-1D (V) multifunction radar.

SNMG-2 is a permanent NATO maritime group in which naval units of the different allies are integrated. From last June, until next July 1, 2021, Spain has the command of the group that falls to the Spanish counter-admiral Manuel Aguirre. The role of the Group is to provide NATO with an immediate operational reaction capacity in naval scenarios. The Navy has been in these groups for over 30 years.