On Friday 27 February 2017 marines and sailors on board Operation Atalanta’s flagship, ESPS Galicia, took time to celebrate the 480th anniversary of the Spanish Marine Corps. The Spanish Marine Corps was founded by the King-Emperor Carlos in 1537 and is the oldest Marine Corps in the world. Since that time Spanish marines have been deployed all around the world on a range of military operations.
Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Rafael Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas and his Force HQ staff were invited to attend the ceremony on the ship’s flight deck to mark what was a very important date for the Spanish marines that are currently deployed on board ESPS Galicia
Spanish warships, maritime patrol aircraft and highly trained marines and sailors have been deployed with Operation Atalanta since it was launched in December 2008 as part of the European Union’s efforts to deter and repress acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Rafael Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas and his Force HQ staff were invited to attend the ceremony on the ship’s flight deck to mark what was a very important date for the Spanish marines that are currently deployed on board ESPS Galicia
Spanish warships, maritime patrol aircraft and highly trained marines and sailors have been deployed with Operation Atalanta since it was launched in December 2008 as part of the European Union’s efforts to deter and repress acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia.