On 21 March 2012, the Spanish Crown Prince, Felipe de Borbon, visited Spanish service men and women deployed as part of EUNAVFOR in the Gulf of Aden. The Prince said he was proud and “full of emotion”, for the outstanding work these Spanish men and women were performing, saying he is aware of the challenges and sacrifices met by those on the Operation and their families at home.
The Prince visited the Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft detachment and then proceeded to the EUNAVFOR Flagship, ESPS PATIÑO. There he was briefed by the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Manso, and ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Cuberio, describing the mission, challenges and successes achieved during the deployment. Rear Admiral Manso briefed the Prince that since 2008, there had been a decrease in successful pirate attacks but increase in the number of attacks disrupted by EUNAVFOR forces.