On Thursday 29 January the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, welcomed the Commander of the Korean Escort Task Group 17 and Commanding Officer of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong, Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, on board the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Andrea Doria. Both Forces are conducting counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa.
Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, who was accompanied by Korean officers, had the opportunity to watch Italian Navy Marines conduct “fast-rope” training, carried out from the EH-101 Agusta-Westland helicopter. This training is conducted regularly in order to maintain a high level of readiness in case a boarding operation is required against suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
The Korean officers were briefed in the ship’s Command Centre, where the Force Chief of Staff, Captain Luca Ceccobelli, gave an update on Operation Atalanta and the success achieved by EU Naval Force in the fight against piracy.
The Korean delegation was interested in enhancing cooperation with the EU Naval Force in order to improve the effectiveness of the international effort against piracy.
On 13 February Italian destroyer Andrea Doria will hand over its flagship duty to HNLMS Johan De Witt, with the new Swedish Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jonas Haggren, embarked.