EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

FGS BAYERN, visiting the port of Mombasa with the Force Headquarters (FHQ) Operation Atalanta embarked, has hosted a media day for regional media representatives from Kenya and Somalia. They were welcomed by the Commander Task Force (CTF), Rear Admiral Thomas E. P. Jugel.

The Chief of Staff (COS) of the Task Force, Capt. Carlos Silva, presented a very detailed briefing for 35 minutes describing the situation in which the operation ATALANTA is carrying out its task in the region of the Horn of Africa, showing the operational area and the basics of operation, as well as the trade routes and the areas preferred by pirates.

This was followed by a lively and very intense question time; Mr Alessandro Liamine, the European Union Representative in Kenya was also in attendance and answered those questions relating to the EU Comprehensive Policy in Somalia.

Admiral Jugel illustrated the success of the mission with the words that “100 percent of all vessels of the WFP, which were protected by the Task Force, have reached their port of destination with their food aid supplies to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe”.

The question of the motivation of the sailors to take part in a mission far away from home was clearly answered by a sailor who said – “the humanitarian situation affects us all and each prevented attack by pirates, and each secured auxiliary supply ship is sufficient motivation”.