On 2 December the Flagship of EU Naval Force ITS Andrea Doria paid a port visit to Djibouti. This gave the opportunity for the Force Commander of EU Naval Force to pay a number of visits to French national forces and the EU Naval Force Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) detachments based in the country.
Rear Admiral Rando visited Brigadier-General Philippe Montocchio, the Commander of French Forces in Djibouti. They both discussed the current piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden, “a lot has been done, but we have to maintain focus as piracy is not yet eradicated” commented Rear Admiral Rando during the meeting. Both officers also took the opportunity to discuss further cooperation and possible future exercises between EU Naval Force and the French Forces deployed in Djibouti.
Following this, the Force Commander took the opportunity to meet both the German and Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) teams, who are both located in the French airbase. Lieutenant Commander Steffen Kroll, Commanding Officer of German MPRA detachments, and Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Javier Alameda Dionisio, Commanding Officer of the Spanish MPRA detachment, welcomed the Admiral.
Rear Admiral Rando, with a delegation of his Force Headquarters Staff, then visited the MPRA detachments facilities where the German and Spanish technicians prepare and maintain the aircraft for missions. He also visited the Spanish aircraft and was given a short update on its capabilities. Only the Spanish Casa CN 235 was present as the German P-3C Orion was on one of its scheduled missions in support of EU Naval Force units at sea.