On Saturday 30 May 2015, Operation Atalanta warship, ITS Grecale, which is currently deployed as part of the EU Naval Force off the coast of Somalia, hosted the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Gomez Fernandez de Cordoba, during a counter-piracy patrol. The Force Commander, who is embarked on the EU Naval Force flagship, ESPS Galicia, was flown on board by the ship’s helicopter.
After being welcomed on board by ITS Grecale’s commanding officer, Commander Onfrio Marco Frumusa, Rear Admiral de Cordoba received a briefing on the capabilities of the Italian Navy warship and its achievements with Operation Atalanta over the past four months in deterring piracy off the coast of Somalia.