For the past five months Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Rafael Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas, together with his multinational Force HQ staff, have been aboard EU NAVFOR’s flagship, ESPS Galicia off the coast of Somalia.
The Force Commander’s role is to task EU NAVFOR warships and maritime patrol aircraft in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean to help deter armed pirate attacks and ensure seafarers stay safe. He also gives direction at sea to the maritime protection team that is currently aboard WFP vessel, MV Esbjerg, to ensure the vessel remains safe as it sails along the Somali coastline to deliver much-needed food to the Somali people.
As his time on board ESPS Galicia comes to an end, the Force Commander took the opportunity to thank his Force HQ staff for their hard work and commitment. He also thanked ESPS Galicia’s commanding officer and his ship’s company for hosting him and his FHQ staff so well.
During a gathering in the officers’ mess, gifts were exchanged between Force Commander, his staff and ESPS Galicia’s command team.
Later this week Spain will hand over force command of EU NAVFOR to Italy, with a new Italian flagship, ITS Fasan, joining the force.
The Force Commander’s role is to task EU NAVFOR warships and maritime patrol aircraft in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean to help deter armed pirate attacks and ensure seafarers stay safe. He also gives direction at sea to the maritime protection team that is currently aboard WFP vessel, MV Esbjerg, to ensure the vessel remains safe as it sails along the Somali coastline to deliver much-needed food to the Somali people.
As his time on board ESPS Galicia comes to an end, the Force Commander took the opportunity to thank his Force HQ staff for their hard work and commitment. He also thanked ESPS Galicia’s commanding officer and his ship’s company for hosting him and his FHQ staff so well.
During a gathering in the officers’ mess, gifts were exchanged between Force Commander, his staff and ESPS Galicia’s command team.
Later this week Spain will hand over force command of EU NAVFOR to Italy, with a new Italian flagship, ITS Fasan, joining the force.