FGS Köln (F 211)
Ship's Name: \tFGS Köln (F 211)
Location: \tWilhelmshaven, Germany
Photo Date: \tJune 29, 2012
Description: \tThe deactivated Köln laid up at the Naval Arsenal in Wilhelmshaven. She will formally be decommissioned on July 31, 2012.

After four intensive months of patrolling, exercising and operating, the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) said goodbye to FGS Rheinland-Pfalz today. The German warship will sail home, for the last time. After a long and respectable career of over 30 years, in which she flew the NATO-flag many times, the ship will be decommissioned early next year.

"Rheinland-Pfalz has been a true team player and shipmate you could always rely on,” states Commodore Ben Bekkering, Commander SNMG1. "The grand old lady and her professional crew were always eager and willing to take on a challenge.” As part of NATO's Immediate Response Force in the first part of the year, the German frigate was deployed in Operation Active Endeavour. In this operation NATO ships patrol the Mediterranean and monitor shipping to help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity. Besides this operation, the Rheinland-Pfalz also took part in the anti submarine warfare exercise Proud Manta and the international exercise Joint Warrior.