Background of Operation Active Endeavour!
In the course of the past four years, Operation Active Endeavour, NATO's first Article 5, collective-defense operation, has evolved from a small scale deployment providing a modest military presence in an important stretch of sea into a comprehensive, continuously adapting, counter terrorism operation throughout the Mediterranean.
Following NATO's decision to implement Article 5 of the Washington Treaty following the 11 September 2001 attacks against the United States, NATO agreed to implement 8 specific measures to contribute to the campaign against terrorism. These measures included, amongst others, the provision to deploy elements of NATO's Standing Naval Forces to the eastern Mediterranean in order to provide a deterrent presence and surveillance in strategic international waters at a key moment
. • SACEUR through COM JFC Naples has authorized CC MAR-COM Naples, as Commander ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR, to conduct naval operations in order to demonstrate NATO's resolve.
• Task Force ENDEAVOUR initially comprised one of NATO's toe Standing Naval Forces ( known as Standing -NATO Maritime Group SNMG1 and SNMG2), augmented by national maritime assets. The SNMGs rotated at approximately 3-month intervals. In recent times, Operation A.E has become more intelligence-based, relying nonetheless on surveillance from Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and submarines buttressed by a frigate force on station. The Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 SNMGCMG2 participates in route survey operations as a part of the operation .