The month of April brought us the sad news of the passing of Admiral General Antonio Martorell, Chief of the Spanish Navy. Admiral Martorell embodied all the qualities and values that are embedded in Atalanta’s nature of dedication and engagement towards his duty. This consideration made him the chosen figure to become the 1st Spanish EU NAVFOR Operation Commander in 2019 after the relocation of the OHQ from the UK to Rota. His example of perseverance still shines among us. May his soul rest in peace.
The best homage that Atalanta can pay to his memory is, precisely, to continue fulfilling our mandate to the extent of our capabilities. Thus, this month of April has presented the opportunity for our contributing nations to renew their commitment towards the Operation on the occasion of the XIX Force Generation Conference held last 25th April. I cannot but express my gratitude and appreciation for this combined effort and encourage our Atalanta partners to maintain this commitment and, eventually, increase it, according to their respective capacities, in view of the many challenges ahead.
In the same domain of national contributions towards Atalanta’s goals, the Operation remains associated to the discussions of the working group between the EEAS and EMASOH-AGENOR whose conclusions will serve to AGENOR countries to decide whether or not they will propose to the EU the integration of their European-led operation into EU CSDP structures. We will make any necessary effort to favour a smooth transition in case the concerned parties so decide.
Precisely, the conscience about these responsibilities, current and future, led Atalanta to put their assets at the disposal of the EU and its Member States on the occasion of the handling of the Sudanese crisis. Atalanta’s Support Element (SEA) in Djibouti, relying on its excellent relations with French and Djiboutian authorities, coordinated the interaction between the EU Delegation, French Gendarmerie and French Forces, and the Djiboutian Immigration Service to facilitate the evacuation of EU nationals. The ORION detachment in Djibouti also provided much appreciated logistic support to Spanish forces deployed for the evacuation operation.
Additionally, the Spanish frigate “REINA SOFIA”, Atalanta’s flagship was redirected to the international waters off the coast of Sudan in order to assess any possible repercussions of the internal security situation on the maritime domain. Atalanta also adapted the Scheme of Manoeuvre of the Italian frigate “CARLO BERGAMINI” to reduce the sailing time to reach the Red Sea, remaining on stand-by, and conducting patrols in the area
On 1 April, OPCDR expressed his deepest condolences on the passing of ADM GEN Antonio Martorell, Chief of Spanish Navy. ADM Martorell was the first Spanish EUNAVFOR OPCDR, handing over the command on 29 March 2019. He lost the fight against a severe illness.
On 12 and 13 April, Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC, Madagascar) personnel visited EUNAVFOR OHQ. The OPCDR welcomed RMIFC Director, Mr Alex Ralaioarivony, RMIFC International Liaison Officer for Djibouti, Ms Habon Mohamed and RMIFC MDA expert, Mr Leonard Leroy Adams (from UNODC). They were briefed on the achievements and new challenges of Operation ATALANTA and met with OHQ staff to discuss the maritime security situation in the expanded area of operations. Finally, there was also time to visit the OHQ facilities.
RMIFC's mission is to establish a maritime surveillance and control mechanism in the Western Indian Ocean. Therefore, this visit was essential for the coordination measures needed among WIO actors to reach maritime security.
Atalanta’s Support Element (SEA) in Djibouti assisted in coordinating the interaction between the EU Delegation, French Gendarmerie and French Forces, and the Djiboutian Immigration Service. These activities included the facilitation of medical evacuations of EU citizens and assistance in immigration issues.
The ORION detachment of Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft in Djibouti has also provided much-appreciated logistic support to Spanish forces deployed for the evacuation operation.
In this framework, on 24 April, the SEA Officer-in-Charge Commander Giry accompanied the Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Mohamed Ali Youssouf, and the EU Ambassador to Djibouti, HE Sylvie Tabesse, in their meeting with Deputy Hellenic Minister of National Defence. Mr Nikos G. Chardalias. Mr Chardalias thanked all of them in person for the crucial support during the evacuation of the Greek citizens from Sudan.
On 27 April, the OPCDR welcomed EU Military Staff Director of Operations (DIROPS), Brigadier General Bart Laurent, to the EUNAVFOR OHQ. BG Laurent was invited to participate in the weekly flag update briefing and attended a presentation on the current achievements and new challenges the Operation is facing.
Finally, BG Laurent had the opportunity to visit the OHQ facilities and meet OHQ personnel, including the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) staff, where all activities in the Area of Operations are monitored 24/7.
On 1 April, a delegation of European Parliament’s Sub-Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) led by Ms Nathalie Loiseau paid a visit to Operation Atalanta in Djibouti. The delegation was welcomed by European Union to Djibouti Head of Delegation Ms Sylvie Tabesse, and visited the EUNAVFOR FHQ led by FCdr, on board of Flagship ESPS REINA SOFIA, the ORION Detachment and the Support Element of Atalanta (SEA). With this visit, the Members of European Parliament (MEP) could meet in-person the crew members of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, as well as the daily challenging duties in their commitment to ensuring maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
On 1 April, EUNAVFOR flagship ESPS REINA SOFIA conducted a Local Maritime Capacity Enhancement (LMCE) with the Djiboutian Coast Guard. 13 members attended the training where they received lessons about damage control and firefighting. The use of different extinguishers and hoses was explained, and there was time to practise with the material. The training also reviewed navigation concepts, focusing on nautical charts use, visual positioning and electronic cartography.
On 3 April, ROLE 2F medical personnel on board #EUNAVFOR Flagship REINA SOFIA carried out training with U.S. ROLE 2 Team from Camp Lemonnier, the U.S. Base in Djibouti. Collaboration and mutual knowledge are essential to improve the medical procedures of these teams and be ready to save lives in the most adverse conditions.
ROLE 2F afloat provides Operation Atalanta forces with necessary emergency medical services on board, including reception and triage, resuscitation, surgical and treatment and an "Intensive Care Unit" (ICU) for the short-term holding of casualties until they can be returned to duty or evacuated. And, of course, it allows emergency medical assistance to seafarers and fishermen in distress at sea.
On 10 April, EUNAVFOR’s ITS CARLO BERGAMINI trained at sea with Oman’s Royal Navy Corvette AL-RAHMANI. Ships engaged in a joint maritime exercise in the Arabian Sea, promoting regional cooperation and increasing interoperability of maritime forces. Operation Atalanta continues strengthening ties with the main regional states in the area of operations to achieve freedom of navigation.
On 14 April, a Japanese Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft P-3C crew deployed to Djibouti visited Operation Atalanta’s ORION Detachment to set up mutual coordination in monitoring the waters off the Horn of Africa. In a friendly atmosphere, valuable discussions were held on identifying and establishing mitigating measures to improve flight safety and optimising sorties to ensure maritime security throughout the Western Indian Ocean, proving the close partnership and trust between these two forces.
On 14 April, EUNAVFOR flagship REINA SOFIA TVR (Boarding Team) performed the TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) course held by the U.S. medical team of Camp Lemonnier during a port visit in Djibouti. TCCC is the pre-hospital care given to a wounded person on the battlefield. Camp Lemonnier is the primary base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa.
On 14 April, ITS CARLO BERGAMINI and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ship MAKINAMI, from CMF Task Force 151, conducted a joint training activity at sea. This training was a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the mutual willingness to cooperate and increase the interoperability of maritime forces.
On 17 April, Operation Atalanta flagship REINA SOFIA trained Visit & Search operations with the Kenyan Coast Guard during her stopover in Mombasa port.
On 24 April, ITS CARLO BERGAMINI, with the support of USNS ALAN SHEPARD from U.S. 5th Fleet TASK FORCE 53, conducted a Replenishment At Sea (RAS). RAS is an activity that warships regularly perform while underway to extend their endurance, thus granting a seamless presence and surveillance in their Area of Operation. BERGAMINI increased her sustainability at sea, while accomplishing the primary task of Operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden, namely providing maritime security.
On 24 April, 46th EUNAVFOR ORION Detachment contingent held a decoration ceremony after being awarded the CSDP Medal in recognition of their dedication and effort during their time of service as members of the Operation Atalanta.
During a port visit in Mombasa (Kenya) on 26 April, ITS CARLO BERGAMINI’s operation department team met the master and crew of MV MSM Dolores, a time-charted vessel of the World Food Program (WFP) that is poised to deliver humanitarian aid to Somalia. Such meetings provide EUNAVFOR ATALANTA warships and the shipping community with the opportunity of getting in touch, confirming to WFP vessels the seamless support and assurance of a safe and secure voyage, a primary task of Operation Atalanta.
ATALANTA flagship, frigate ESPS REINA SOFIA, and the Italian frigate ITS CARLO BERGAMINI are permanent assets in the Operation. In addition, two French warships have been in associated support, the FS ANDROMEDE from 18 February to 18 April and the FS LORRAIN, from 18 to 25 April. Likewise, the ITS MOROSINI has been in associated support from 11 to 22 April.
Finally, Lithuania holds an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment on standby since 1st March and from 6th March, Spain provides a SOMTU team on board Atalanta’s Flagship ESPS REINA SOFIA
These warships and aircraft participated in Atalanta’s operations during the month of April:
Within the framework of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), the “French Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale” (IHEDN) organised, the course "The challenges of securing maritime areas for the EU: a focus on the Indo-Pacific region". It took place from 3 to 5 April at the A. Borschette conference centre in Brussels (Belgium). EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA’s Chief of Staff participated as a speaker to present the mission to the audience: goals, means, achievement and success but also constraints, challenges and the strategic impact of this EU operation. IHEDN is a French public, academic institution for research, education and promotion of expertise and sensitisation towards defence matters.
On 11 April, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA OHQ received the visit of Spanish shipping company PAVESA. The OPCDR welcomed company’s President, Mr Felipe Ruano Fernández-Hontoria, and company Managing Director, Mr Borja Soroa Rodríguez-Escudero. The visitors received a briefing about Operation Atalanta's mission and goals and toured the OHQ facilities.
PAVESA is a company dedicated to fishing tropical tunas and their supply to the general global canning and food industry. Maintaining and establishing relations with different actors in the Area of Operations is essential to ensure the maritime security.
On 27th March, EU NAVFOR joined the country representative of the Operation celebrating Netherland's National Day, King’s Day.