Press Releases

“It has been a privilege to finish my military career working for Operation ATALANTA. My 7 months with this operation will not be easily forgotten."

Rota, 13 January 2019—EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA has sadly learned of the passing of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of the Sultanate of Oman.

“EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA is eager to contribute to the unity of effort of the European Union in Somalia."

10 December 2019—In a visit to Djibouti this past week, new Operation ATALANTA Force Commander Commodore José António Vizinha Mirones (Portuguese Navy) met with various key leaders and partners for the first time since taking command on 03 December.

Djibouti, 07 December 2019—EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA flagship the ESPS Victoria and her SH-60B helicopter carried out a variety of training exercises with the United States Personnel Recovery Task Force (PRTF) this week.

"We are very happy to conduct this training with our Djiboutian Navy colleagues and to provide them with our tactical experience on maritime security operations." Eric Hellman Muñoz ESPS Victoria Boarding Officer

Grazie all’equipaggio di Antonio Marceglia e alla Marina Militare Italiana per il loro contributo!

R. Adm. Armando Paolo Simi hands force command of Operation ATALANTA to Cdre. José António Vizinha Mirones on 03 December 2019.

“I would like to express how proud Spain is to host this headquarters, and I hope you are all fully comfortable living among us here.” El Rey Felipe VI El Rey de España

Rota, 22 November 2019—Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Josep Borrell, visited EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA’s new, multinational Operation Headquarters (OHQ) of the European Union (EU) at the Naval Base in Rota this pa

“EU NAVFOR Somalia strongly believes that coordination and cooperation in order to deliver military effects is more than ever required.” Captain Luis Diaz Puente