A warm welcome by the Operation Commander
Dear reader,
On 23 November 2023, I took over command from my predecessor Vice Admiral Núñez Torrente. To lead the European Union’s first naval operation in the 15th year of its existence is a privilege but also an obligation for me. I can rely on dedicated on very dedicated men and women at sea and in the Operation Headquarters. My experience of a former ATALANTA Force Commander may also help me.
We face new and known challenges but also chances in our area of operation. Piracy has re-emerged after being successfully suppressed for more than four years. Due to a changed operational environment, countering acts of piracy and ensuring secure sea lines of communication demand more coordination and a careful assessment of the possibilities we have at hand. On the other side, we see also the willingness by coastal countries to overcome political obstacles and to contribute to a joint effort. I was glad to see how Puntland and federal Somali authorities cooperated to apprehend a pirated fishing boat and to free its crew. I am also grateful for the Federal Government of Somalia to overcome political considerations for the sake of a common goal – to discourage and eradicate piracy.
Together with the international shipping industry and our political masters in Brussels, we also need to identify ways to improve the security of the commercial trade against a new conflict-related threat. Currently, our options to react are limited.
On 01 and 02 November, the Chief of Staff of EUNAVFOR participated in the Maritime Security Regimes Roundtable 2023 organised by the NATO Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOSCOE).
He participated in the panel on "Regional perspectives in an interconnected and complex world", providing inputs about Operation ATALANTA and the development of its mandate from counter-piracy operation to maritime security operation.
On 06 November, the Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Giovanni Galoforo, took part in the Maritime Security Conference through VTC. During the conference, organised by the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), RADM Galoforo presented to the audience the mission of EUNAVFOR and the development of the mandate from counter-piracy to maritime security operation.
On 15 November, the outgoing EUNAVFOR Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Núñez Torrente, bid farewell to the Chair of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC), General Robert Brieger, and introduced his successor, Vice Admiral Villanueva Serrano. Afterwards, he delivered an update on the state of affairs of EUNAVFOR to the EUMC, highlighting the achievements during his command. He also shared his assessment of future risks and challenges for Operation ATALANTA.
On 15 November, Vice Admiral Núñez Torrente bid farewell to the EU Member States in the session of the Political-Security Committee and delivered an update on the state of affairs of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA. Its Chair, Ambassador Delphine Pronk, congratulated Vice Admiral Villanueva Serrano on his appointment as the next Operation Commander.
The outgoing and incoming Operation Commander answered several questions of Member States representatives, who also expressed their appreciation for the conduct of Operation ATALANTA.
On 20 November, the outgoing EUNAVFOR Operation Commander, Vice Admiral José M. Núñez Torrente, awarded the Emblem of ATALANTA to the Spanish Marine Corps Force in recognition of the permanent support and fundamental contribution to this European Union Operation. The Commandant General of the Spanish Marine Corps, Major General Rafael Roldán Tudela, received the Emblem. The ceremony took place at the Marine Corps Force Headquarters, in San Fernando (Cádiz), and was attended by numerous representatives of Marine Corps Commands and Units that regularly participate in the Operation, as well as members of EUNAVFOR. ATALANTA Headquarters. Teams.
On 23 November 2023, Operation ATALANTA celebrated the 15th anniversary of its inception with a ceremony at the Rota Naval Base. The event took place in conjunction with the handover ceremony of command from the outgoing Commander, Vice Admiral José María Núñez Torrente, to the incoming Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano.
The handover ceremony of the Operation Commander was presided over by the Spanish Chief of Defence Staff (JEMAD), Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, on behalf of the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Robert Brieger.
During the handover ceremony, the ongoing Commander, Vice Admiral Villanueva stressed, "My challenge will be to command the transformation of ATALANTA while keeping it operationally realistic, operationally effective and operationally adaptable to the new maritime security challenges, and all this under the guidance and strategic direction of the EU Political and Security Committee".
On 27 November, the EUNAVFOR Operation Commander Vice Admiral Villanueva participated in the EU Headquarters Commanders' Conference. The Conference washosted by the Commander of the Hellenic First Army/EL EU OHQ Lieutenant General Ioannis TSIOPLOS and took place in the EL EU OHQ HQ in Larissa (Greece).
During his presentation, the OPCDR highlighted that Operation ATALANTA has changed its modus operandi to adapt to the enhanced European Union's objectives. These changes are reflected in the constant evolution of the tasks to remain an agile tool in line with the goals of the EU Maritime Security Strategy. In addition, the extended Area of Operation and the multiple challenges faced by #EUNAVFOR were underlined.
On 02 November, during the port visit in Victoria, Seychelles, the EUNAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri, visited the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, Mr Kartik Pande. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss maritime security in the region and the cooperation between de Indian an EU naval forces at operational and tactical level.
On 04 November, during the port visit in Victoria, Seychelles, the EUNAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri, received on board ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE the High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Seychelles, Mr Jeff Glekin.
On 6 November, during the port visit to Victoria (Seychelles) of EUNAVAFOR flagship ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE, the Force Commander Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri received on board the Director of the Regional Operations Coordination Centre (RCOC) of Seychelles, Captain Sam Gontier.
The ATALANTA Force Headquarters crewmembers had the opportunity to visit the Centre. The RCOC's mission is to coordinate activities of Regional Interest for state action at sea. It is a key actor in the area and for Operation ATALANTA.
On 07 November, a delegation of military doctors from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Seychelles visited the EUNAVFOR asset ESPS VICTORIA.
On board, they were able to see the frigate's medical capabilities. During the deployment with Operation ATALANTA, the frigate is configured as ROLE 2F (R2F). R2F of military healthcare encompasses a set of capabilities essential to preserve life, such as triage, basic diagnostics, Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) and Damage Control Surgery (DCS).
In addition, they learned about the medical evacuation capabilities through the on board helicopter and the whole procedure carried out for the transfer from the ship's infirmary to the flight deck for a possible aero evacuation.
On 14 November, the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team of EUNAVFOR flagship ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE conducted a Maritime Interdiction Operation exercise with the Coast Guard of Seychelles. The joint activity was an outstanding opportunity to improve interoperability with this key partner in the Area of Operations.
On 15 November, the EUNAVFOR ESPS VICTORIA conducted a Local Maritime Capacity Enhancement activity with the Kenyan Navy and Coast Guard, in the framework of the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) - Jeddah Amendment. These exercises strengthen ties with our Kenyan colleagues, one of the main actors in the Area of Operations, to ensure maritime security.
On 20 November, the EUNAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri, hosted the Commander of the Somali Police Force Department of the Coast Guard, Colonel Bashir Abdi Kassim, on board ESPS VICTORIA.
During the visit, a Local Maritime Capacity Building Activity with a delegation of the Somali Police Force Department of the Coast Guard was conducted.
These activities underline the importance of Somalia as a fundamental state player in the Area to provide Maritime Security.
On 21 November, the Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri, hosted a Somali Navy and Coast Guard delegation on board EUNAVFOR flagship ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE. During the visit, the specialist components of the Italian ship conducted a Local Maritime Capacity Building Activity.
On 30 November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has successfully tackled the alleged piracy-related incident involving the Iranian-flagged fishing boat “ALMERAJ 1” off the coast of Somalia. The EUNAVFOR action has included the transfer of the last known position of the fishing boat to the Somali police forces.
The operation was coordinated between the EU authorities, including the EU embassy in Mogadishu, and the Somali authorities. Eventually, Somali police forces took over the escort to shore, and for following actions with regard to the suspected pirates. Many of these Somali forces have participated in training exercises with EUNAVFOR warships, in cooperation with the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia). The acquired knowledge and mutual trust ensured an effective and safe transfer.
On 07 November in Brest (France), the EUNAVFOR Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Giovanni Galoforo, on behalf of Operation Commander, presented the "EU CSDP Service Medal for Planning and Support" to Commander Dominique Giry. This award underlines the outstanding work for the logistical, materiel but, above all, the human support that CDR Giry provided during the evacuation of civilians from Sudan via Djibouti and recognised by all EU Member States diplomatic personal.
He was of crucial help in assisting military medical evacuation flights of EU Member States in direct contact with the French medical centre (CMCIA), the military staff of the French Forces stationed at Djibouti (FFDJ) and the EU Delegation in Djibouti.
On 08 November, the Support Element of Atalanta (SEA) team in Djibouti participated in the event “Partner Appreciation Day”, together with the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTFHOA) at the American base 🇺🇸 Camp Lemonnier, reinforcing the ties with our partners.
For the occasion, the SEA team set up a stand where they broadly present their support and functions in the Operation ATALANTA.
On 07 November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA members visited the "Baraka" association in Djibouti, where nearly a hundred basic school kits and other materials and toys were delivered for Djiboutian children of school age. The Head of the association thanked Operation ATALANTA for the donation and explained that the kits would be distributed to children who lacked basic materials to start the school year.
"Baraka" association, located in a suburb of the capital, works mainly with schools in the capital and in remote villages in the country. Bringing education to these villages is complicated due to the country's orography, said the association's Head.
The new Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, CAPT Martins de Brito, and his Portuguese staff visited the Operation Headquarters (OHQ) at the Rota Naval Base to meet the Operation Commander and the rest of the OHQ personnel. They also attended a presentation about the Operation, ongoing actions and challenges they will face during the following months.
From 14 to 16 November, EUNAVFOR Legal Advisor attended the III Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security and Safety in Mauritius.
This major event was organised and hosted by the Republic of Mauritius with the support of the European Union (EU) through the Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Maritime Security Programme - MASE.
The technical meetings focused on all the legal issues of Maritime Security, namely establishing cooperation mechanisms in the fight against illegal fishing and maritime trafficking (drugs, human, money laundering), illegal wildlife trade and marine pollution.
On 15 November, the EUNAVFOR Maritime Security Center - Horn of Africa (MSCHoA), located in Brest (France), held a meeting with members of the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA). The event took place at the premises of the Maritime Information Cooperation and Awareness (MICA) Centre.
It was an excellent opportunity for MSCHoA to reinforce Operation ATALANTA's commitment to the European shipping industry as a maritime security provider in the North West Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, protecting vulnerable shipping in these waters by deterring threats, monitoring maritime traffic and providing a robust presence.
A close cooperation with the shipping industry is paramount, as is the importance of using the voluntary reporting system (VRS) to the MSCHoA and understanding the needs and constraints of European shipowners.