June 2016

When two Operation Atalanta warships, FGS Bayern and ESPS Santa Maria, met in the Gulf of Aden recently, the Force Commander, German Rear Admiral Kaack, took the opportunity to fly onboard the Spanish warship to meet her crew and commanding officer, Commander Antonio

The EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta, is currently supported by two German Navy ships; one is the flagship, FGS Bayern, and the other is a tanker, FGS Spessart.

Operation Atalanta’s German flagship, FGS Bayern, recently spent time alongside in the port of Muscat in Oman.  During the visit, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Kaack, was invited to spend time with the Royal Navy of Oman.

Always alert - the Spanish Mission Support Centre, based in Djibouti, is responsible for the planning and monitoring of the Orion Detachment’s flying missions and for the management of information and intelligence gathered in support of Operation Atalanta counter-pira

Operation Atalanta’s current German Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) detachment has been deployed in Djibouti for the past three months.

Whilst in the Gulf of Aden recently, Operation Atalanta’s Spanish warship ESPS Santa Maria participated in an exercise with units from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), JS Yuudachi and JS Yuugiri.

Whilst on a recent port visit to the Seychelles, sailors from Operation Atalanta’s German Flagship, FGS Bayern, spent a day working with the Seychelles Marine Police Unit (MPU).

Whilst on her recent port visit to Djibouti, Operation Atalanta’s Italian warship, ITS Euro, took the opportunity to conduct maritime training with the Djiboutian Coastguard.