EUNAVFOR

EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

News Archive - January 2016

Atalanta Warship ESPS Victoria Trains with Japanese Escort Division in the Gulf of Aden

January 29, 2016 - 12:00

Spanish warship, ESPS Victoria, conducted a series of exercises with Japanese warship, JDS Suzunami, to strengthen counter-piracy cooperation between the two forces. Meeting within close distance of the internationally recommended transit corridor in the Gulf of Aden, the exercises commenced with Spanish and Japanese helicopters conducting landings on both ships, in order to train flight […]

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Secretary of State for Defence Visit

UK Secretary of State for Defence Visits EU Naval Force’s Operational Headquarters in London

January 28, 2016 - 17:08

Earlier today the Operation Commander, Major General Martin Smith MBE, welcomed the UK Secretary of State for Defence, The Right Honourable Michael Fallon MP, to EU NAVFOR’s Operational Headquarters in London. During the visit the Operation Commander highlighted EU NAVFOR’s significant contribution to the suppression of Somali-based piracy and the protection of World Food Programme […]

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When Operating with Live Ordnance the Suit is Critical to the Safe Disposal of an Explosive Device

Specialist Italian Navy Divers Conduct Underwater Training on Atalanta Flagship ITS Carabiniere

January 28, 2016 - 10:07

In order to maintain their high state of readiness, the Italian Navy divers from the Gruppo Operativo Subacqueo (GOS) who are currently embarked in Operation Atalanta’s flagship, ITS Carabiniere, carry out regular diving training. Normally based in La Spezia, the GOS are experts in explosive ordnance disposal.  They also conduct regular underwater inspections on ships’ […]

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MPRA Medal Parade 4

Spanish Maritime Air Detachment Commander Holds Medal Ceremony for Operation Atalanta D4 Vigma Crew Prior to their Return Home

January 26, 2016 - 14:58

On Saturday 23 January the Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Detachment held a medal ceremony in their headquarters in Djibouti. The Detachment Commander, Spanish Air Force Lieutenant Commander Santiago Ibarreta, presided over the medal ceremony, which marked the official turnover of the D-4 Vigma crew to the newly-arrived Air Force P-3 contingent. The […]

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D4 VIGMA Last mission 2

Spanish Maritime Patrol D-4 Vigma Aircraft Flies Home after Successful Deployment with Operation Atalanta

January 26, 2016 - 13:06

Friday 22 January marked the end of the current deployment with Operation Atalanta for the Spanish D-4 Vigma Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).  The aircraft has been replaced by a Spanish Air Force P-3. The D-4 Vigma crew received their farewell from the Spanish Detachment Commander in Djibouti, Lieutenant Commander Santiago Ibarreta, who congratulated them […]

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The aircraft approaches ESPS Victoria ready for the air-drop

Cargo Air-Drop Keeps Atalanta Warship Fully Operational

January 25, 2016 - 12:41

On Sunday 10 January 2016, Operation Atalanta warship ESPS Victoria and a Spanish maritime-patrol aircraft met off the Somali coast to complete a cargo air-drop. The CASA CN-235 aircraft was tasked to supply ESPS Victoria with a spare part for her helicopter. After a first test run, the aircraft descended and closed on the frigate. […]

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Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström

Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrӧm from Swedish Royal Navy is New Deputy Commander for Operation Atalanta

January 21, 2016 - 13:42

Rear Admiral Christophe Mueller-Meinhard (German Navy) has handed over the role of Deputy Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, to Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrӧm (Swedish Royal Navy). The handover took place at the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, London. Following the handover, Rear Admiral Wikstrӧm said: “I […]

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Djiboutian Navy receiving a firefighting briefing

Operation Atalanta Warships Conduct Fire Training with Djiboutian Navy

January 19, 2016 - 10:10

During the recent port visit to Djibouti, Operation Atalanta warships ITS Carabiniere and FGS Erfurt carried out maritime training alongside their colleagues from the Djiboutian Navy. The training was designed to mimic intense firefighting situations and the Djiboutian Navy trainees conducted a series of damage control exercises and firefighting procedures. Operation Atalanta warships regularly engage […]

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Group photo in front of MPRA

Operation Atalanta Force Commander Visits Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft Detachment

January 19, 2016 - 09:14

On Tuesday 12 January 2016 Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander visited the Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Detachment based in Djibouti. The Detachment’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Santiago Ibarreta, gave Rear Admiral Barbieri and personnel from the Force Headquarters a tour of the D-4 VIGMA MPRA. This version of the Spanish twin engine CN-235 […]

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Group Photo on ITS Carabiniere

Chinese Counter-Piracy Force Commander Visits Operation Atalanta Flagship

January 18, 2016 - 11:04

On Sunday 17 January 2016, the Force Commander of the Chinese Escort Task Group 576, Rear Admiral Chen Qiangnan, was welcomed on board ITS Carabiniere by Rear Admiral Barbieri. After a tour of the Italian warship, Rear Admiral Barbieri and Rear Admiral Chen Qiangnan concluded the visit with talks on the European Union and Chinese […]

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