On Wednesday 16 September 2015 HNLMS Groningen’s doctor, Commander Ariaan Van Walsum, celebrated his 60th birthday at sea off the coast of Somalia.
HNLMS Groningen is currently deployed with the European Union’s counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia.
As a naval reservist, Commander Van Walsum is part of the Advanced Resuscitation Team (ART) on board HNLMS Groningen. The ART carries out life-saving treatment on seriously wounded patients to keep them stable until they can be evacuated ashore for further medical treatment.
Commander Ariann Van Walsum was presented with a birthday cake and a picture of the HNLMS Groningen from the ship’s commanding officer, Commander Walter Hansen.