A key role for the EU Naval Force is to protect World Food Programme (WFP) vessels carrying humanitarian aid to the Somali people from possible pirate attack. On Monday 22 December the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, took on the important duty of escorting WFP ship, MV Liberty, 500 nautical miles from Mombasa to Mogadishu.
Despite the high winds and waves that are common during the Northeast monsoon, the San Marco protection team that is embarked on board ITS Andrea Doria kept a close eye on MV Liberty day and night as it sailed along the Somali coastline. The Italian Navy Augusta-Westland helicopter flew ahead as the 'eyes over the horizon' to look for any potential pirate activity.
When MV Liberty arrived safely in Mogadishu to offload the food aid, the crew thanked the Italian Navy sailors for their assistance.