On 30th of June, Operation ATALANTA conducted a Medal Award ceremony at The Operation Headquarters in the Rota Naval Base to distinguish the exceptional contribution to ATALANTA of relevant personnel from other EU and international institutions and from the Operation staff.
The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal for Planning and Support is awarded to personnel working within international or national organisations or in indirect support of an EU Operation, either inside or outside of the area of operation. The following awardees received the decoration: Former Head of Delegation of the EU in Somalia, Ms. Karin Johansson; Commander of the 188th Air Force Base in Djibouti, Colonel Maximilien Debrenne; CEO of the IT company “CSA”, Mr. Carlos Rioja Alcubilla; Senior Officer for Integrated Maritime Services in EMSA, Ms. Lorena Amigo.
The Spanish Cross of Naval Merit and Commendation is awarded to members of the Armed Forces for actions or deeds of exceptional merit. The following awardees received the decoration: ATALANTA DCOM, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni; French Navy Captain, Roland Legoff; French Navy Lieutenant, Marc Laverriere.
The ceremony was chaired by Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, with the presence of the Admiral of the Spanish Fleet, Admiral Jose Enrique Delgado Roig and the Admiral of the Logistic Support in Cadiz Bay, Vice Admiral Juan Maria Ibañez Martin.
Medal ceremonies are a splendid occasion to reward and acknowledge the support of civilian personnel and the excellent job the Operation ATALANTA Headquarters’ staff is performing on the maritime security on the Indian Ocean.
