During the EU Naval Force flagship’s recent two-day port visit to Djibouti, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean (French Navy) visited the EU Naval Force units based in Djibouti.
Admiral Bléjean took the opportunity to meet the Support Element of Operation Atalanta (SEA), and both the German and Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) teams, who are both located in French Djibouti Air base.
After visiting their main facilities and being given an update on their capabilities and assets, Rear Admiral Bléjean stated: “The MPRAs are a vital asset, enabling the EU Naval Force to gather essential intelligence information to guide our operations. You all prove on a daily basis, your commitment to Operation Atalanta and I personally want to thank you for that.”
During the same day in the afternoon, Admiral Bléjean also visited for the first time H.E. Ambassador Joseph Silva, who is the EU Delegate in Djibouti. During the visit they discussed the EU NAVFOR operations since the 6th December and also the activities that are due to take place in the coming months, in full coordination with the other EU missions in the area as part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to the Horn of Africa.
EU Naval Force deters, prevents and represses acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EU Naval Force ships protect World Food Programme vessels delivering aid to Somalia and AMISOM shipping. EU Naval Force ships also contribute to the monitoring of fishing activity off the Somali Coast.
Admiral Bléjean took the opportunity to meet the Support Element of Operation Atalanta (SEA), and both the German and Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) teams, who are both located in French Djibouti Air base.
After visiting their main facilities and being given an update on their capabilities and assets, Rear Admiral Bléjean stated: “The MPRAs are a vital asset, enabling the EU Naval Force to gather essential intelligence information to guide our operations. You all prove on a daily basis, your commitment to Operation Atalanta and I personally want to thank you for that.”
During the same day in the afternoon, Admiral Bléjean also visited for the first time H.E. Ambassador Joseph Silva, who is the EU Delegate in Djibouti. During the visit they discussed the EU NAVFOR operations since the 6th December and also the activities that are due to take place in the coming months, in full coordination with the other EU missions in the area as part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to the Horn of Africa.
EU Naval Force deters, prevents and represses acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EU Naval Force ships protect World Food Programme vessels delivering aid to Somalia and AMISOM shipping. EU Naval Force ships also contribute to the monitoring of fishing activity off the Somali Coast.