Moosebrugger (DD 980) - Naval Cruise Book

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V TANDING NAVAL FORCES ATLANTIC, also know as STANAVFORLANT or SNFL, is composed of many ships, each representing a different country. Some ships, serving from countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany, contribute on a permanent basis, serving with the force for up to six months. Other countries provide regularly for limited periods, such as Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Denmark. The Force Commander is provided by one of the permanent contributors. This Force, usually made up of five to nine ships, works together to improve seagoing techniques through practice of ships ' operations and personnel exchanges. This helps create a bond of international fellowship and builds upon already good relations be- tween these countries. Under the NATO flag, STANAFORLANT embarks yearly on an intense and varied schedule. As a permanent, multi-nation squadron, it conducts peacetime exercises over the 50,000 miles it travels yearly. It also participates in NATO ' s scheduled activities; from naval exercises to visits in coastal ports of NATO nations. These exercises and visits help STANAVFORLANT achieve it ' s main goals: to improve multinational teamwork through training and expe- rience; to demonstrate the unity of the Alliance, and the NATO flag; to strengthen it ' s capabilities as an immediate reaction force; and to form a central core through which a more powerful Navy may be built. STANVFORLANT has been an effective training program and a nucleus of unity for the last twenty-five years. As was the case when it was approved by the North Atlantic Council in December 1967, making it the world ' s first force of its type, today SNFL brings the world closer together, ensuring protection when necessary. i-

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