March 2013

Whilst operating in the Gulf of Aden as a part of the EU Naval Force counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta, the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter has refueled from the US auxiliary ship USNS Medgar Evers.

On the morning of 27 March, the helicopter of Dutch EU Naval Force warship HNLMS De Ruyter landed on the flight deck of the Spanish EU Naval Force vessel ESPS Rayo, becoming the first helicopter from another Operation Atalanta unit to land on the Spanish warship.

The Deputy Operation Commander of EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Eric Dupont (French Navy) recently visited Djibouti when on a regional visit to the Operation Atalanta area of operations.

Currently it is the 12th rotation of the P3C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRS) and its support group, serving since 20 February with the EU Naval Force.

The Spanish Oceanic Patrol Vessel ESPS Rayo, as part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia - Operation Atalanta, has taken advantage of her second port visit in Djibouti to conduct training on 20 and 21 March 2013 with the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard.

Some contributing nations support the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta with specialised assets to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa. Estonia supports Operation Atalanta with a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) on board the French frigate FS Courbet.

On 17 March, during a visit by the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez to Salalah, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes, met with Omani officials in Salalah.

Playing a key role in the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta are the Spanish Airforce P3-M Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).

Maalintii Isniinta 25kii Febraayo Markabka HNLMS De Ruyter ee Ciidamada Dhajka oo ka tirsan Ciidamada Bada ee Midawga Yurub (CBMY) ayaa sagaal budhcad-badeednimo looga shakiyay ku wareejiyay maamulada Sishilish si dacwad loogu oogo.

Admeral Dhexe García de Paredes and Admiral Dhexe Natale.

Markabka Ciidamada Bada ee Midawga Yurub ESPS Méndez Núnez iyo doonta sidatay magaca Al-Hasan

On 15 March, the German Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD), deployed with the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, transferred the responsibility for the protection of the World Food Programme (WFP) ship MV Caroline Scan to an AVPD from F

After MV Royal Grace was released by pirates on Friday 8 March, it was EU Naval Force Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel ESPS Rayo who ensured that the chemical tanker and her crew stayed safe as the vessel sailed north towards Omani waters.

It has been a busy couple of days for EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez.

The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta today launched its Facebook Page.  The page will provide up to date information on Operation Atalanta and the piracy situation off the Horn of Africa.

On 8 March 2013 EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez provided much needed assistance to the crew of chemical tanker MV Royal Grace after the vessel was unexpectedly released by Somali pirates.

On 27 February 2013, Spanish Marines serving in the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) celebrated the 476th anniversary of the Spanish Marine Corps.

If you were able to fly on board an EU Naval Force warship at sea to  look at how it conducts counter piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, the navy pilot that flies you on board may be a women, the officer of the watch ‘driving the ship’ across the Indian Ocean

On 04 March, during a port visit to Djibouti by the European Union Naval Force flagship, ESPS Méndez Núnez, her crew welcomed on board a group of ten members of the Djiboutian Coast Guard in order to conduct training exercises.

During a port visit to Djibouti by Spanish EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez, and warship ESPS Rayo, Force Commander Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes held meetings with other EU leaders to demonstrate the commitment of EU NAVFOR to work togethe

Between 26 February and 5 March 2013, French warship FS Courbet, operating as part of EU Naval Force counter piracy mission Operation Atalanta, together with an embarked Estonian Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD), escorted a World Food Programme (WFP) ship that was c

After navigating the Suez Canal and Bab-el-Mandeb strait, ESPS Rayo joined EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta on Tuesday 26 February.

On 27 February 2013, during a patrol in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) the flagship of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, ESPS Méndez Núnez, conducted a boarding of a vessel of interest.