SNMG1 consists of 4 to 6 destroyers and frigates, with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Deutsche Marine (German Navy), the Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy), and the United States Navy each contributing 1 ship on a permanent basis. These are joined periodically by ships from Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. The force operates, trains and exercises as a group, providing day-to-day verification of current NATO maritime procedures, tactics and effectiveness.