EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

In order to ensure sailors and marines aboard EU NAVFOR’s flagship, ESPS Galicia, remain fully prepared to respond quickly to a piracy incident or other situation at sea, they carry out regular training and exercises.

During a recent counter-piracy patrol, ESPS Galicia’s crew conducted live firing drills to maintain their gunnery skills.  The exercise also included communications drills to ensure the crew can communicate effectively during an incident.

ESPS Galicia has been deployed off the coast of Somalia as EU NAVFOR’s counter-piracy flagship since February 2017.  She will commence her return home to her base port of Rota in Spain at the end of July this year.

Training in live firing and radio communications allows crews and boarding teams to remain confident in their abilities to respond to any situation as it arises.