Since the Spanish D4 CASA-235 Vigma Air Contingent took over counter-piracy duties from the Spanish P-3 Orion crew in July 2015, the team has been very busy patrolling the waters off the coast of Somalia forever on the look-out for any potential pirate activity.
The D4 is a twin-engine aircraft, used for Search and Rescue and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPRA). It provides the EU Naval Force with valuable imagery and air support in the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia.
The D4 crew consists of four pilots, three maritime surveillance system operators, a flight engineer and a tactical coordination officer, with the latter being responsible for managing the crew during each flight.
The Air Contingent is also complimented by a highly-skilled maintenance and support team, which comprises imagery analysts, medical and other staff.
The Spanish crew demonstrated their capabilities recently when they provided much-needed information to help the crew of fishing vessel, Al Amal, after they had became stranded on the coast of Somalia.