On 7 February, the French frigate ACONIT completed her deployment as part of the EU NAVFOR Task Force after 34 days proudly flying the European Flag. She has conducted a variety of tasks in the force and has always been ready for any duties and demonstrated a proactive attitude to face all challenges in order to achieve the objectives of Operation ATALANTA.
During these days at sea she has spent a good deal of her time conducting the main task of EU NAVFOR; escorting WFP vessels. She has been involved in safeguarding the Somali coast and the waters between Somalia and the Seychelles.
In his farewell signal to the French frigate the EU NAVFOR Force Commander Admiral Juan Rodriguez stated: "You have always been ready for any duties and demonstrated a proactive attitude to face the challenges of counter piracy. Your advice has always been timely and accurate and your proposals welcomed”.
EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA's main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and to protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, and to deter and disrupt piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.