EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

In early October Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander Rear Admiral Fabio Gregori visited Djibouti to meet with the Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPRA) detachment and the Head of the EU Delegation to Djibouti, Adam Kulach.

During the visit the Force Commander also met with staff at a medical facility and was shown a decompression chamber used to support maritime personnel who have experienced a pressurised environment. The Rear Admiral later visited the Spanish MPRA detachment, where he was able to take the helm from the pilot’s seat.

The success of Operation Atalanta is largely credited to the ability of partner nations working together to utilise highly capable assets out at sea. On land, visits such as this highlight the importance of the maritime community working as one to achieve the same effect in the fight against maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia. The threat from pirate groups remains so EU NAVFOR continues to advise mariners to remain vigilant and ready. Furthermore it is vitally important that mariners report all suspicious sightings and incidents, at the time they observe them, to UKMTO.