In the first days of May, Operation Atalanta’s flagship REINA SOFIA conducted in close cooperation with the European External Action Service and Spanish authorities a successful evacuation of 162 citizens of EU and partner countries from Port Sudan. For the time being, this has concluded rescue efforts from war-troubled Sudan.
It served as a good example for EU coherence of action in demanding situations. This month has seen more examples of that with a strong focus on activities with our EU sister missions, EU projects but also with our partners from the WFP and Bahrain, where we hold our SHADE (Sharing Information and De-confliction) conferences for many years.
Finally, I could welcome Mr. Kauko Aaltomaa, EUCAP’s Head of Mission since begin of the year, in our OHQ. His visit was long planned but had to be postponed several times. I am very confident that the cooperation with EUCAP will enter a new stage.
Lastly, I want to express my appreciation to the crew of the French frigate Surcouf. Although Surcouf is a frequent participant in Operation Atalanta, on 26th of May she conducted her first counter-narcotics operation under Atalanta’s flag and seized more than two tons of hashish from a stateless dhow off the coast of Oman. BZ!
On May 2, the EUCAP SOM Head of Mission, Mr Kauko Aaltomaa, visited the Operation ATALANTA OHQ in Rota, Spain, for the first time. The OPCDR welcomed him, and after this meeting, Mr Aaltomaa attended a brief on the EUNAVFOR stay of play, challenges and way ahead. The relationship between EUCAP and EUNAVFOR is very close. Thanks to this synergy, it has been possible to train and enhance the skills of the Somali forces in charge of maritime security. This collaboration has included training on board EUNAVFOR warships, where navigation and security activities have also been developed. Finally, he had the opportunity to visit the OHQ branches and the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), which is responsible for 24/7 monitoring of the Area of Operation to ensure the freedom of navigation in the North Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea. EUNAVFOR and EUCAP SOM, together with EUTM SOM and in cooperation with the EU Delegation in Somalia, constitute the EU’s Integrated Approach in support of the Somali authorities.
On 2nd May, two representatives from The Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) visited the Operation Atalanta OHQ in Rota (Spain). Captain (OF-5) Khalid Mubarak bin Hindi and Commander (OF-4) Abdullah Abdulrahman Al-Qadhi was received by the OPCDR, who underlined the good relations between this country and ATALANTA as crucial actors in pursuing maritime security in the North Western Indian Ocean. EUNAVFOR Chief of Staff (COS), Captain Rafael Torrecillas presented the Operation and accompanied them on a tour of the OHQ premises, visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), from where the EUNAVFOR Watchkeepers monitor the situation in the Area of Operation 24/7.
On 4th May, the OPCDR awarded the Spanish Armada 41st Escort Squadron with the Operation ATALANTA emblem on the occasion of the long-standing and successful participation. This squadron comprises of six frigates, which until now have accumulated 24 deployments in the area of operations, more than 2,800 days on mission, and were the flagship of the Operation on 12 occasions. Currently, ESPS REINA SOFIA is the Operation’s flagship.
From 23 to 25 May, DCOM Rear Admiral Hilaire Ducellier (Marine Nationale) participated in the IORIS Steering Committee, held in Bali & hosted by CRIMARIO Project. RADM Ducellier presented ATALANTA’s objectives in developing the Maritime Security Architecture in the Area of Operations. Platform IORIS (developed by CRIMARIO) is one of the maritime situational awareness tools used by Operation ATALANTA to control and coordinate navigation flow in the Area of Operations. EUNAVFOR continues fully committed to collaborating with several partners & stakeholders to build a robust maritime security architecture in the North Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea & to supporting interagency collaboration at national and regional levels.
On 5th May, ESPS REINA SOFIA, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship, under national tasking & coordinated by the European External Action Service, carried out the evacuation of 162 EU citizens and other nationals from Port Sudan.
On 7th May, ITS BERGAMINI Commanding Officer awarded the CSDP Medal to crewmembers to acknowledge their commitment and professionalism after being in support to Operation ATALANTA since January 2023. The Italian Navy continued contributing to EUNAVFOR with the ITS LUIGI RIZZO, taking over the commitment to achieve freedom of waters in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
On 8th May during a port visit in Djibouti, the ITS BERGAMINI Operations Team met the master and crew of the MV ZEHRAH 1, a World Food Programme chartered vessel monitored by the Operation. During the meeting, the BERGAMINI personnel presented the EUNAVFOR tasks, especially focused on maritime security, reassuring ZEHRAH's crew about the presence and ATALANTA assets pro-active approach in the Area of Operations, confirming the seamless support and assurance of a free and secure voyage, crucial task of Operation.
On May 10, the EUNAVFOR Support Element of Atalanta Officer in Charge (SEA OIC) Handover Takeover (HOTO) ceremony took place at the EU Embassy in Djibouti. Congratulations to CDR Giry (Marine Nationale) for his outstanding work, especially supporting the EU delegation during the evacuation operations in Sudan, and a warm welcome to CDR Guerrier (Marine Nationale), with vast experience in this crucial role. The HOTO event was honoured by the presence of the EU Ambassador to Djibouti HE Sylvie Tabesse. The work of the SEA OIC is crucial to ensure the logistic support for all Atalanta units deployed in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. He also maintains a daily liaison with Djibouti authorities and entities, as well as foreign agencies and forces stationed in Djibouti, a paramount role in maintaining the existing excellent cooperation with all of them.
On 16th May, EUNAVFOR Flagship REINA SOFIA ROLE 2 and U.S. Medical team of Camp Lemonnier performed a training day taking advantage of a port visit in Djibouti. During the session, surgical procedure protocols were shared. In addition, lessons learned from the analysis of the casualties attended during the civilian evacuations in Sudan, performed by both countries, were discussed. The mutual knowledge of both teams improves efficiency in any risky or unexpected situation.
On May 26, during a regular EUNAVFOR patrol to provide maritime security off the coast of Oman, La Fayette-class frigate SURCOUF of the French Navy captured more than two tons of narcotics. The French warship was in direct support to EUNAVFOR under the command of the FHQ on board the ATALANTA Flagship ESPS REINA SOFIA, and led by the Spanish Rear Admiral Ibañez Martín. While patrolling en route from ATALANTA area of operation to AGENOR area of operation, FS SURCOUF carried an inspection on a stateless dhow and seized more than two tons of hashish, worth around 20 million euros in street value.
ATALANTA flagship, frigate ESPS REINA SOFIA is the permanent asset to the Operation, along with the Italian frigate ITS CARLO BERGAMINI until 8th May. In addition, three French warships have been in associated support, the FS FLOREAL from 15th April to 19th May, the FS BEAUPRE from 11th May and the FS COURBET, from 1st to 19th May. Likewise, three warships have been in direct support, the ITS RIZZO from 9th to 17th May, the FS SURCOUF from 16th to 27th May and the FS COURBET from 20th to 28th May.
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
ATALANTA flagship, frigate ESPS REINA SOFIA is the permanent asset to the Operation, along with the Italian frigate ITS CARLO BERGAMINI until 8th May. In addition, three French warships have been in associated support, the FS FLOREAL from 15th April to 19th May, the FS BEAUPRE from 11th May and the FS COURBET, from 1st to 19th May. Likewise, three warships have been in direct support, the ITS RIZZO from 9th to 17th May, the FS SURCOUF from 16th to 27th May and the FS COURBET from 20th to 28th May.
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 May:
On 6th May, CJ9 STRATCOM personnel participated in the European Open Day in Brussels. The EU Military Staff (EU MS) takes advantage of the incoming Europe Day, on 9th May, hosting EU bodies, operations and missions to promote themselves, sharing public information, and merchandising with all visitors, colleagues and partners. The Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This declaration was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of the European Union.
On 12th May, EUNAVFOR DCOM Rear Admiral Ducellier (Marine Nationale) awarded the OHQ Chief Clerk Assistant, Corporal (CLP) Celine De Castro (Spanish Army), the “French National Defence Medal”. This decoration acknowledges the excellent support provided by CLP de Castro to the French contingent and the outstanding relationship between France and Spain.
On 18th May, EUNVAFOR joined the European External Action Service media campaign on the International Day for Women in Maritime celebration, congratulating all female sailors working for Operation ATALANTA, providing maritime security in the North Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
On 16-18 May, EUNAVFOR OHQ Legal Advisor, MAJ Rodrigo Lorenzo, was invited to attend a meeting organised by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Lagos, Nigeria. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the draft of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Supplementary Act concerning cooperation in the suppression of illicit maritime activities off the coast of West Africa.
MAJ Lorenzo provided the attendees with an insight into the legal issues related to Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) from the perspective of Operation Atalanta's experience in East Africa. The matters discussed ranged from using force and rules of engagement in MIOs to jurisdictional issues, boarding of suspect vessel procedures and exchanging information.
On 30th May, EUNAVFOR joined our friends & colleagues from Croatia to celebrate the Statehood Day commemorating the constitution of the first modern multi-party Parliament after the first democratic elections.