In July, EU NAVFOR ATALANTA saw a number of important events. Most importantly, we had a number of encounters with representatives of our regional partners Djibouti and the Sultanate of Oman. I had the honour to award General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Djibouti, the CSDP medal as a sign of gratitude for the continuous strong support by his country. Most important for the future of the Operation was my presentation of the sixth-monthly report to the EU Military Committee. My visit to Brussels was also an excellent opportunity to hold valuable meetings with colleagues from the European External Action Service and the EU Military Staff. We continued to expand and strengthen our international network, with like-minded countries as well with maritime security partners and organisations. We had opportunities to train with our Japanese friends or to receive those from Korea at our OHQ in Rota. Both countries are steadfast supporters and enablers for ATALANTA.
This month we also had important changes. My Deputy Rear Admiral Ducellier handed over his responsibilities to Rear Admiral Galoforo. And only ten days later I handed over command from the 43rd to the 44th rotation of the Force Commander. Like my new Deputy, the Force Headquarter under its Commander, Rear Admiral Rutteri, is now in competent and experienced Italian hands.
On 6 July, the Commander of the Italian Maritime Forces, Rear Admiral Giacinto Sciandra, visited EU NAVFOR OHQ in Rota Naval Base. EUNAVFOR Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Hilaire Ducellier, welcomed him. This visit showed the excellent relations and continued collaboration between Operation Atalanta and Italy, which not only contributes with personnel to the operation, but also with assets. Currently, Italy provides the Operation flagship, Force Commander and the Force Headquarters staff of the 44th Rotation. And on the very same day, Italian Rear Admiral Galoforo took over as ATALANTA’s Deputy Operation Commander.
On 6 July, Rear Admiral Giovanni Galoforo took over as Deputy Commander of Operation Atalanta from Rear Admiral Hilaire Ducellier, who held the command for the past six months. Rear Admiral Ducellier has served as Deputy Commander performing an exceptional contribution to achieving the objectives of the Operation, and, in particular, pointing out the implementation of the 2023/2024 mandate. In addition, his role in coordinating the two recent counter-narcotics Operations conducted by the French warships DIXMUDE, LA FAYETTE and SURCOUF was outstanding.
From Rear Admiral Galoforo's extensive and successful military career, most notably his service as ASW Wing – Pilot, Navigator and Crew Commander of the IT Air Force 41st Wing, Anti-Submarine Warfare in Sigonella (ITA) from 1994 to 2000. From 2008 to 2012, he was StratCom Advisor, Deputy Spokesperson and Speechwriter for the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, NATO Headquarters, Brussels (BEL). From 2017 to 2019, he held the post of Policy, Planning and Cooperation Officer of the Italian Delegation in NATO HQ, Brussels. Finally, from 2019 to 2023, he was assigned to the EU Military Committee in Brussels as StratCom Advisor, Speechwriter to the Chairman of the EU Military Committee, and Editor in Chief of the EU Military Forum.
On 7 July, EU NAVFOR Operation Commander (OPCDR), Vice Admiral Nuñez Torrente, participated in the EU Defence Policy Directors (DPDs) meeting held in Toledo (Spain). The OPCDR shared with the DPDs EU NAVFOR views on the main challenges to maritime security in the Horn of Africa and the North Western Indian Ocean, and the EU’s cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners. The meeting included also a discussion on Maritime Security and maritime CSDP operations.
On 11 July, The European-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) Ambassador Jakob Brix Tange and AGENOR OPCDR Vice Admiral Emmanuel Slaars paid a visit to the EU NAVFOR OHQ. The EMASoH delegation thus returns the visit of the EU NAVFOR Operation Commander to EMASOH facilities in United Arabic Emirate in October 2022 and highlights the excellent relationships existing between both Operations.
They were welcomed by the EU NAVFOR OPCDR, VADM Núñez Torrente, and briefed by the OHQ staff on the achievements and challenges faced by the Operation and the way ahead. In addition, Ambassador Brix and VADM Slaars presented EMASOH Operation to the OHQ Staff, including the stay of play, successes and main goals in the future. Finally, they toured the OHQ facilities and had the opportunity to visit the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), which is monitoring 24/7 the North Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, and maintaining permanent contact with commercial shipping.
On 12 July, EU NAVFOR OPCDR presented to the EU Military Committee the activities and progress achieved by Operation Atalanta in the first six months of 2023. The report focused on implementing the 2023/2024 Mandate in this period and consolidating the Operation as a fundamental instrument for EU naval diplomacy in the North Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Highlights of the period, such as the first-ever joint US-EU naval exercise and two new counter-narcotics operations, were also presented.
The mandate entrusts Atalanta with harmonising, cooperating and supporting international organisations, particularly emphasising naval forces (Combined Maritime Forces and AGENOR), independent actors and the shipping industry.
On 13 July, the OPCDR met with the European External Action Service Deputy Secretary General Mr Charles Fries and EU Military Staff Director General and Military Planning and Conduct Capability Director (Dir MPCC), Lieutenant General Michiel Van der Laan. They shared standpoints on Operation Atalanta's immediate challenges for a strengthened EU commitment to the maritime security in the Area of Operations.
On 17 July, the OPCDR Núñez Torrente, during his visit to Djibouti, encountered different authorities in the area.
During his visit to EU Delegation in Djibouti, Ambassador Sylvie Tabesse expressed her gratitude for the fluent relations and support from EU NAVFOR during the evacuation of EU citizens from Sudan through Djibouti. Discussions on ATALANTA current situation & future evolution were also held.
Later on, the OPCDR had the opportunity to meet with Italian Military Support Base (BMIS) Commander, Captain Paolo Spagnoletta, congratulating Italy for the FHQ command at sea as well as the continuous support to Italian Navy warships assigned to Operation Atalanta.
Next, he visited the Commander French Forces in Djibouti (COMFOR), Major General Laurent Boïté. Both officers discussed the regional situation, especially after the evacuation of EU citizens from Sudan. In addition, French Forces in Djibouti provide critical support to EU NAVFOR hosting Support Element of ATALANTA and the EU NAVFOR ORION Detachment.
Finally, OPCDR met the US Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Major General Jami C. Shawley. The multiple joint exercises conducted in Djibouti and the upcoming operational activities are good examples of the perfect mutual understanding and common goals.
On 17 July during an official ceremony attended by the highest military authorities of the Republic of Djibouti, the OPCDR imposed the European Union's Common Defence and Security Policy medal to General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Djibouti.
The CSDP medal, awarded by the High Representative for External Affairs and Vice-President of the Commission, H.E. Mr Josep Borrell Fontelles, is the European Union's highest military distinction.
The award of this decoration on an exceptional basis to General Zakaria is in recognition of the Republic of Djibouti's unfailing support for Operation Atalanta since it was launched in 2008. It is also a tribute to the professionalism of the Djibouti Armed Forces, a crucial partner of the European naval force.
On 26 July, the OPCDR received the Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) – 151, Rear Admiral Ko Seung-bum (Republic of Korea). The encounter took place in the Operation Atalanta OHQ facilities in Rota, Spain.
This visit builds on the excellent relations between the European Union and the Republic of Korea, and it was a perfect opportunity to present the evolution of ATALANTA from a counterpiracy operation to a maritime security provider in the North-Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea. In addition, and thanks to the robust partnership between EU NAVFOR and the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), new possibilities in information sharing between the CTF-151 and the Atalanta OHQ/FHQ were discussed.
EU NAVFOR and CTF-151, together with independent deployments and maritime security partners in the region, ensure freedom of navigation in the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) and the rest of their respective Areas of Operations.
On 1 July, Operation Atalanta congratulated Lithuanian Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) team for their commitment and permanent availability to support the World Food Programme vessels and welcomed the Montenegro team, taking over the responsibility to accomplish this crucial mission. The team remains standing by in their country.
On 17 July, OPCDR chaired the Force Commander (FCDR) Hand Over-Take Over (HOTO) Ceremony and the change of Operation Atalanta's flagship. The ceremony was carried out in Djibouti Port and was attended by several civilian and military authorities.
The 43rd Force Headquarters (FHQ) staff, commanded by Rear Admiral Juan María Ibáñez Martín, successfully completed their deployment, being relieved by the FHQ 44th Rotation, commanded by Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri. The OPCDR warmly thanked the outgoing FCDR and the 43rd FHQ Rotation for the dedication and effort during the deployment.
Relieving ESPS NAVARRA, ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE became EU NAVFOR’s new flagship.
On 17 July, EU NAVFOR FCDR met with the EU Training Mission-SOMALIA FCDR, Brigadier General Fulvio PoIi, on board EU NAVFOR flagship DURAND DE LA PENNE. The meeting was an excellent opportunity to enhance the collaboration of the two sister operations under the lead of the European Union.
On 22 July, the EU NAVFOR ESPS NAVARRA and the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) CTF-151 Japanese Ship IKAZUCHI conducted a joint activity at sea in the Gulf of Aden. The exercise highlights the excellent cooperation between Combined Task Force 151 and Operation ATALANTA Combined Task Force (CTF 465) in the North-Western Indian Ocean.
On 23 July, during the visit of EU NAVFOR ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE to the port of Salalah in Oman, the Force Commander had several interactions with the Omani Navy starting from the visit of EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Rutteri to the Southern Command of the Oman Navy, commanded by Captain Talal.
On 24 July, in the port of Salalah, His Highness. Marwan Bin Turki Al Said, Governor of the Dohfar region in Oman, warmly welcomed the EU NAVFOR FCDR, Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri. The meeting was an excellent opportunity to establish contact with the Omani authorities. During the meeting, the importance of Oman as a state within the area of operations of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was emphasised.
On 24 July, as part of the interactions with the Oman Navy, an exchange between the crews of EU NAVFOR flagship ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE and OMAN Navy Warship AL MUAZZAR took place. This activity fostered mutual understanding, sharing experience, improving both crews' technical and tactical procedures and strengthening the ties between the two forces.
On 25 July, a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) exercise was conducted by ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE Boarding Team on board OMANI Navy Warship AL MUAZZAR to demonstrate boarding capabilities to the Oman Navy teams. This demonstration is part of the joint activities carried out in the port of Salalah, Oman.
On 25 July, ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE, EU NAVFOR flagship, and CMF ROK Navy Ship GWANGGAETO THE GREAT of CMF CTF 151, conducted a joint activity in the port of Salalah in Oman. The activity included a HELO/inspection team exchange, Tactical Discussion with Brigata Marina San Marco members and a damage control exercise. It was an excellent opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the actors operating in the area.
On 26 July in the port of Djibouti, EU NAVFOR ESPS NAVARRA had the opportunity to carry out very successful Local Maritime Capacity Building with the Djibouti Coast Guard. First aid, damage control and navigation training were conducted, highlighting the cooperation between local and EU maritime forces.
These warships participated in EU NAVFOR’s operations during the month of July:
On 1 July, EUNAVFOR Atalanta congratulated friends and colleagues from Republic of Somalia on their National Day.
On 4 July, Operation Atalanta congratulated friends and colleagues from United States of America on their National Day.
On 13 July, Operation Atalanta joint the celebration of friends and colleagues from Montenegro on their National Day.
On 14 July, Operation Atalanta joint the celebration of friends and colleagues from France on their National Day.
On 20 July, Operation Atalanta joined the celebration of the National Day of Colombia.
From 25-27 July, 🇪🇺#EUNAVFOR supports the Western Indian Ocean Pollution Regional Exercise (WIOPOLREX) hosted by Regional Coordination Operations Centre of Seychelles and the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre of Madagascar. This exercise aimed to strengthen regional and international cooperation in responding to marine pollution incidents and establish a well-tested contingency plan. Operation Atalanta remains fully committed to supporting regional maritime security architectures in the North Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
On 28 July, the OHQ staff had the opportunity to visit the Spanish Tranning Ship JUAN SEBASTIAN ELCANO in the port of “La Carraca” (San Fernando, Spain). Staff members were able to enjoy the most famous ship of the Spanish Navy, its history and traditions. She received her name after the Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano, the man who completed the first circumnavigation of the World.On 28 July, the OHQ staff had the opportunity to visit the Spanish Tranning Ship JUAN SEBASTIAN ELCANO in the port of “La Carraca” (San Fernando, Spain). Staff members were able to enjoy the most famous ship of the Spanish Navy, its history and traditions. She received her name after the Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano, the man who completed the first circumnavigation of the World.