site.btaThird Activation of Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group Completed

The minehunter Struma from the Bulgarian Navy's flotilla of combat and auxiliary ships has ended its participation in the third activation of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group (MCM BLACK SEA) in Constanta (Romania), the Navy Headquarters in Varna said. The ship's Commanding Officer is Lieutenant Commander Zlatan Zlatev.

The Task Group was established in line with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the governments of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye on January 11, 2024. The first two activations took place in July and September.

Rear Admiral Selcuk Akari was commander of the tactical unit. Captain Yusuf Karagulle of the Turkish Navy was commander of the task unit which included forces and assets from the three countries.

During the operation, the Task Group visited the ports of Burgas and Constanta. The tasks included reconnaissance and surveillance operations in view of the threat of sea mines, mine countermeasures in the designated areas, related search and rescue actions as required, force integration training for sharing experience and improving interoperability, and contribution to NATO's Maritime Situational Awareness in the Black Sea, among others.

The minehunter Struma performed reconnaissance and surveillance for floating mines and mine-like objects, mine action in designated areas, joint exercises, improving interoperability and enhancing NATO Maritime Situational Awareness.

The Task Group took part in the joint mine action exercise POSEIDON 2024 in Bulgaria on November 3-9, during which tasks ensuring the safety of maritime traffic against the threat of sea mines were practised.