The Spanish Marine Corps Force receives the ATALANTA Emblem for its outstanding contribution.
This is the fourth ATALANTA Emblem delivered to different units.
San Fernando, 20 November 2023 – Today the Commander of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, Vice Admiral José María Núñez Torrente, awarded the Emblem of ATALANTA to the Spanish Marine Corps Force in recognition of the permanent support and fundamental contribution to this European Union Operation. The Commandant General of the Spanish Marine Corps, Major General Rafael Roldán Tudela, received the Emblem. The ceremony took place at the Marine Corps Force Headquarters, in San Fernando (Cádiz), and was attended by numerous representatives of Marine Corps Commands and Units that regularly participate in the Operation, as well as members of the Operation ATALANTA Headquarters.
The Spanish Marine Corps Force has participated in the Operation since the incorporation of the first Spanish frigate in 2009, providing a total of 28 Operational Security Teams (EOS) and 34 Units of the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), embarked in the fleet vessels participating in the Operation. In addition, it has contributed with 30 FGNE Liaison Officers at the Operation Headquarters (OHQ), located at the Rota Naval Base.
As one of the most notable actions by the unit, it is worth highlighting the release of the French citizen Evelyne Colombo, captured by Somali pirates in September 2011, in the so-called Operation “Tribal Kat” in which an FGNE team that was on board the Spanish Amphibious Ship GALICIA. Another milestone is the command of Operation ATALANTA by a Major General from the Spanish Marine Corps, Antonio Planells Palau, between 1 October 2019 and 19 February 2021, facing the plaintiffs COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
During the ceremony, the Commander of Operation ATALANTA expressed his gratitude to the Spanish Marine Corps Force for their extraordinary dedication, “you have built a reputation that, 15 years later, makes the men and women of the Marine Corps Force one of the fundamental pieces that have contributed primarily to the reduction of piracy” and has highlighted its extremely high preparation, as well as its flexible, agile and expeditionary nature that makes it unique.
This is the fourth EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Emblem that the Operation Commander presents to units for their extraordinary participation on Operation ATALANTA. The first one was delivered on 13 January 2023 to Group 22 of the Spanish Air and Space Army, at the Morón Air Base (Seville); the second Emblem was delivered to the 41st Navy Escort Squadron on 4 May 2023, and the third was delivered on 27 October 2023 to the Navy Aircraft Flotilla of the Armada.
