The Force conducts an intensive and varied annual programme of operations throughout the waters of Europe from the North of Norway to the Mediterranean and from the Irish Sea to the Eastern Baltic Sea.

Since 1998 SNMCMG1 has also been operating in coastal waters of the United States, Canada and Iceland.

Since its inception the Squadron has demonstrated its capability to undertake its primary role as one of NATO's Mine Countermeasures Immediate Reaction Force.

The multi-national force of Minehunters and Minesweepers that make up SNMCMG1 is widely regarded as the best trained, best equipped mine countermeasures unit in the world. By the very nature of the job the ships and men -around 30 officers and 200 ratings- SNMCMG1 is an immediate reaction force, always ready to carry out any mission.

Today, SNMCMG1 is under the operational command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), whose Headquarters are in Mons, Belgium.

Command is delegated through Joint Force Commander Brunssum (JFC Brunssum) to Commander Allied Maritime Component Command Northwood. Day-to-day planning of the force is conducted from NATO Headquarters Allied Maritime Component Command Headquarters Northwood located in Northwood, United Kingdom.

Long-term planning is carried out in collaboration with the operational staff at Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFC Brunssum) and the Combined Joint Planning Staff (CJPS) in Mons.