View source for Operation Active Endeavour

{{Short description|Military operation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Operation Active Endeavour
| partof            = the [[War on Terror|Global War on Terrorism]]
| image             = Operation Active Endeavour Member countries participating Map.png
| caption           = 
| date              = 4 October 2001 – 9 November 2016<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=2001|day1=04|month1=10|year2=2016|day2=09|month2=11}})
| place             = [[Mediterranean]], [[Strait of Gibraltar]]
| territory         = 
| result            = Over 128,000 ships monitored ({{As of|2016|lc=on}}); 172 ships boarded; 488 escorted ships (until May 2004); Indirect tightened control of black market trafficking lines in the Mediterranean; The rescue of civilians on various stricken oil rigs and sinking ships<ref name="primarysource">{{cite web | url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_7932.htm | title=Operation Active Endeavour | publisher = NATO | access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref>
| combatant1        = {{flag|NATO}}
* {{flag|Belgium}}
* {{flag|Canada}} 
* {{flag|Czech Republic}}
* {{flag|Denmark}}
* {{flag|France}}
* {{flag|Germany}}
* {{flag|Greece}}
* {{flag|Hungary}}
* {{flag|Italy}}
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}
* {{flag|Netherlands}}
* {{flag|Norway}}
* {{flag|Poland}}
* {{flag|Portugal}}
* {{flag|Spain}}
* {{flag|Turkey}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}
* {{flag|United States}}
* {{flag|Bulgaria}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Estonia}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Latvia}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Lithuania}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Romania}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Slovakia}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Slovenia}} (from 2004)
* {{flag|Albania}} (from 2009)
* {{flag|Croatia}} (from 2009)
Non-NATO: 
{{Plain list|
* {{flag|Georgia}}
* {{flag|Israel}}<ref name="jpost">{{cite web |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1258624597078&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |title=French-language news from Israel, the Middle East, & the Jewish World |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |access-date=28 January 2014}}</ref>
* {{flag|Morocco}}
* {{flag|New Zealand}}<ref name="primarysource" />
* {{flag|Russia}} (2006)
* {{flag|Ukraine}}
* {{flag|Bulgaria}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Estonia}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Latvia}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Lithuania}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Romania}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Slovakia}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Slovenia}} (until 2004)
* {{flag|Albania}} (until 2009)
* {{flag|Croatia}} (until 2009)
}}
| combatant2        = Unspecified terrorist and smuggling groups
}}
'''Operation Active Endeavour''' was a [[Navy|maritime operation]] of the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]]. It operated in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and was designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or [[weapons of mass destruction]]. It had collateral benefits in enhanced security of shipping in general. It was one of the first military actions taken by NATO in response to an invocation of [[Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty]] which provides for [[collective defense]] and the first-ever operation conducted by the Alliance in direct application of the defense clause of the Treaty. In November 2016 it was replaced by the non-Article-5 [[Operation Sea Guardian]].

== History ==

The operation began on 4 October 2001 as one of the eight NATO responses to the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|11 September attacks]], although it did not formally begin until 16 October. The naval assets of [[Standing Naval Force Mediterranean]] (STANAVFORMED), which were participating in Exercise Destined Glory 2001 off the southern coast of Spain, were reassigned in order to provide an immediate NATO military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Prior to its cessation, the operation was conducted by a number of NATO military assets, including the [[Standing NATO Maritime Group 1]] (SNMG1) and [[Standing NATO Maritime Group 2]] (SNMG2).

On 4 February 2003, the [[North Atlantic Council]] (NAC) decided to extend Operation Active Endeavour to include escorting non-military ships traveling through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] to maintain security in the area and to secure the safe transit of designated Allied ships.

On 29 April 2003, Task Force Endeavour began boarding operations following a NAC decision to enhance the effectiveness of the current naval operation against suspected terrorist activities in the Mediterranean. The boarding operations were conducted in accordance with the rules of international law and were of a compliant nature. Over 160 vessels had been boarded as of 1 June 2010.

Several submarines of the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]] [[Ula-class submarine|''Ula'' class]] have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence-gathering abilities have surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be the highest of all the ships taking part in the operation.

On 15 September 2006, NATO authorized the Russian ship [[Soviet frigate Pytlivyy|''Pytliviy'']] to participate in Operation Active Endeavour.

Since its inception, the ships of Active Endeavour have monitored over 100,000 [[watercraft|vessel]]s (as of June 2010) and conducted voluntary [[boarding (attack)|boarding]]s of over 100. They have also escorted over 480 vessels through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] until escorting was suspended in 2004.

On 4 December 2001, STANAVFORMED ships [[Italian frigate Aliseo (F 574)|''Aliseo'']], ''Formion'', and ''Elrod'' were called to assist in the rescue of 84 civilians from a stricken oil rig. In high winds and heavy seas, the Italian helicopter of the ''Aliseo'' removed all 84 workers from the oil rig in 14 flights.

On 2 January 2002, SNFL's Spanish frigate [[Spanish frigate Extremadura|''Extremadura'']] and Netherlands oiler {{HNLMS|Amsterdam|A836|6}}, the UK naval vessel {{HMS|Beagle|A319|6}} and the [[Greek Coast Guard]] provided life-saving support to the passengers of a sinking ship in the Eastern Mediterranean off Crete. The ''Beagle''{{-'}}s crew repaired the leaking hull and damaged propulsion to the ''Aydin Kaptan'' before the weather deteriorated and Greek helicopters began winching the children and women amongst the 254 refugees on board and carried them to Crete and the ''Amsterdam''. On 3 January 2002, the ''Aydin Kaptan'' was towed by a Greek fishing vessel, under SNFL escort, to Greek territorial waters.

While conducting [[Counter-terrorist|counter-terrorist operations]] in the Mediterranean Sea, ships assigned to Operation Active Endeavor have also assisted the Greek government with the prevention of [[illegal immigration]]. On 23 March 2006, NATO forces alerted the [[Hellenic Coast Guard]] to a vessel named MV ''Crystal''. The coast guard units intercepted the ship and arrested the captain and crew who were attempting to smuggle 126 illegal immigrants.<ref>{{cite web | title = Active Endeavour ships assist Greece in illegal immigration operation | url = http://www.afsouth.nato.int/organization/CC_MAR_Naples/PressReleases/CC-MAR/PressReleases06/PR_08_06.htm | access-date = 21 August 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927185105/http://www.afsouth.nato.int/organization/CC_MAR_Naples/PressReleases/CC-MAR/PressReleases06/PR_08_06.htm | archive-date = 27 September 2011 }}</ref>

Vice Admiral [[Roberto Cesaretti]] went on to state "Although this event relates to criminals, there is also a message for the terrorists here – we are looking for you, and when we find you – there will be no place to hide."{{Quote without source|date=November 2022}}

In an interview with Rear Admiral [[Richard Leaman]] OBE, Chief of Staff of the [[Allied Maritime Command Naples|Allied Maritime Component Command – Naples]] in June 2006, ''[[Jane's Navy International]]'' was told that the number of frigates involved in the operation had been systematically pared back, with now only three permanent frigates patrolling the Mediterranean, two standby corvettes from Greece and Turkey, and a small submarine force.<ref>Katy Glassborrow, "Interview: Rear Admiral Richard Leaman (OBE)", ''[[Jane's Navy International]]'', June 2006, p. 86.</ref> However, during surge operations the number apparently can rise to 16 ships with forces from Standing NATO Maritime Groups 1 and 2.

Other Mediterranean Dialogue countries expressed interest in collaborating in OAE. An EOL with Morocco was completed on 2 June 2008. It was followed, on 22 October 2009, by a Tactical Memorandum of Understanding defining the modalities of Morocco's participation in the operation.

An EOL with Georgia was completed on 26 March 2008. The related TMOU was signed on 28 April 2010.

Building on the experience achieved over the years, the operation is now network-based and no longer relies on permanently assigned units. However, it continues to conduct "surge" operations and remains prepared to carry out at-sea inspections. New technologies, exploitation of developments in surveillance and [[information sharing]] capabilities, closer cooperation and information sharing with Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries have enabled a start to the transition from platform-based to network-based operation. A combination of surge operations and standby units will replace permanently deployed forces. Information exchange between NATO and non-NATO contributing nations, [[law enforcement agencies]], international organisations and non-governmental organisations will be enhanced.

[[HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331)|HMCS ''Vancouver'']] deployed on Op Sirius, the Canadian contribution, in November 2011 as it is follow on mission to [[Operation Unified Protector]].

Operation Active Endeavour changed command from Joint Forces Command (JFC), Naples, to [[Northwood Headquarters|Maritime Command Headquarters]] (HQ MARCOM), Northwood, United Kingdom in February 2013.<ref name="primarysource" />

At the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, NATO leaders agreed to transition Operation Active Endeavour to a non-Article 5 maritime security operation, to be called [[Operation Sea Guardian]].<ref name="primarysource" /> Operation Sea Guardian was formally launched on 9 November 2016, marking the end of Active Endeavour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mc.nato.int/media-centre/news/2016/nato-operation-sea-guardian-kicks-off-in-the-mediterranean.aspx|title=Allied Maritime Command - Home|last=NATO|website=www.mc.nato.int}}</ref> It has a wider remit, including maritime situational awareness, freedom of navigation, maritime interdiction, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, protecting critical infrastructure, countering terrorism at sea and maritime security capacity-building.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_136233.htm| title = NATO - Topic: Operation Sea Guardian}} </ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_7932.htm Official NATO website for Operation Active Endeavour]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060618080617/http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Operations/ActiveEndeavour/Endeavour.htm Official NATO southern command website for Operation Active Endeavour]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160617004512/http://www.oaenow.com/ Report any suspicious activity in the Mediterranean Sea to the NATO SHIPPING CENTRE (NSC)]

{{War on Terrorism}}

{{coord missing|Mediterranean}}

[[Category:Counterterrorism]]
[[Category:Military operations involving NATO|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:War on terror]]
[[Category:Military operations involving Georgia (country)|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Military operations involving Israel|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Military operations involving Morocco|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Military operations involving New Zealand|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Military operations involving Russia|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Military operations involving Ukraine|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Military operations involving Portugal|Active Endeavour]]
[[Category:Mediterranean Sea]]