On Tuesday 26 July 2015, the Spanish Orion Air Contingent (XXII) based in Djibouti, completed their successful counter-piracy deployment with Operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia.
The handover ceremony was presided over by Colonel Juan Carlos Clerencia from the Spanish Air Combat Command. During the ceremony he congratulated the Orion crew for achieving 100% of their planned flights for Operation Atalanta.
The incoming Spanish CASA-235 VIGMA Air Contingent (XXIII) will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel José R. Asensi, and will play a vital role in the EU Naval Force's counter-piracy operations until November 2015.