Rear Admiral Rainer Endres, Deputy Commander (DCOM) EUNAVFOR, as part of his recent visit to Djibouti to oversee the Operational Handover between the outgoing Flag Ship, ESPS PATINO (Spain) and incoming French Flag Ship FS MARNE , took the opportunity to visit the Japanese Maritime Patrol Aircraft Detachment on 7 April.

Rear Admiral Endres was briefed by the Detachment Commander, Captain Tsuyoshi Mukai (Japanese Self Defence Force), who described the capabilities of the Japanese Detachment air patrol, working alongside EUNAVFOR and other counter piracy forces. This collaboration between the EU and Japan is another example of the close international collaboration in the fight against piracy. These close international links were further highlighted at a EUNAVFOR Medal Parade, at which the Deputy Commander presented the EU Medal to EUNAVFOR personnel and their Djiboutian Naval colleagues, recognising the unique contribution the Djiboutian Navy make to anti piracy operations in the region.