Groves Visits Cadiz, Spain With SNMG-1

After several weeks of participation in a NATO maritime security operation called Active Endeavor, the three ships visited Cadiz to prepare for upcoming multinational exercises and enjoy some liberty in a first-rate seaport.

The officers and crew of NRP Alvares Cabral (F331) hosted a force reception the first evening inport, which was well-attended by the NATO group. This opportunity allowed Stephen W. Groves crewmembers to become more familiar with the customs and shipboard lifestyles of their allies. After touring the Portuguese frigate and enjoying the reception's festivities, many sailors joined their NATO counterparts for an evening on the town.

Cadiz afforded a wide variety of liberty options to the sailors of Stephen W. Groves. The city's historic downtown exhibited a quiet air of Spanish authenticity, and several beachside plazas offered diverse dining and nightlife options. Some sailors opted to travel to the neighboring towns of Seville and Ronda, which boast some of Spain's finest architecture, museums, and cultural attractions. The nearby naval air station in Rota also gave sailors an opportunity to catch up on shopping, play a few games of softball, and relax at the on-base Navy Lodge.

Later in the week, SNMG-1 hosted a press conference onboard Alvares Cabral and fielded questions from local media regarding the group's upcoming tasking and operational expectations. Enroute from Cadiz, the NATO group will transit back into the Mediterranean Sea to conduct training exercises while continuing maritime situational awareness operations. SNMG-1 looks forward to several upcoming port visits in southern Europe and expects to join the French Navy in an exercise called Loyal Midas later this month.