On 4th October, Atalanta’s Chief of Staff, Captain Rafael Torrecillas took part in the IX Article 8 Political Dialogue between the EU and the Republic of Seychelles, held in Victoria, offering an update of the Operation, briefing about the challenges of the imminent Strategic Review and detailing the Operation’s privileged relationship with the Seychellois authorities. The accomplishment of a solid “Legal Finish” and the mutual commitment on capacity enhancement activities were central ideas in his presentation. The Chief of Staff, on behalf of the Operation, showed his appreciation and encouraged the efforts of the EEAS towards the signature of the extension of the current transfer agreement on suspects of piracy to the crimes of weapons and drugs smuggling, and the bilateral agreements that will be needed to complement this legal structure.
Atalanta welcomed the introductory statement by H.E. Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles, showing his undivided appreciation for the Operation’s contribution towards Maritime Security in his country, and welcoming the imminent renewal of Atalanta’s mandate.
The visit to Seychelles provided also the opportunity to pay a visit to the Regional Centre for Operational Co-ordination (RCOC), where the Chief of Staff was received by its Under-Director Abdoul-had A. Mouhoussoune. The encounter served to explore new areas of collaboration and review the excellent level of collaboration. This was vividly shown during recent joint activities, on the occasion of the visit to Port Victoria of Atalanta’s flagship ESPS “Numancia”, under the framework of “Southern readiness Operation”, along with the Combined Maritime Forces, and the sea activity “Operation Marlin”, which was set up upon request of the Seychellois authorities. A formation on the use of communication and tracking systems was also agreed as a result of the encounter. The close relation between the RCOC and Atalanta, together with the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar, ensures maximum integration of the efforts to guarantee Maritime Security.
On 6th October, Operation Commander welcomed at the ES-OHQ in Rota a senior-level delegation from the Indian Ocean Commission. During the course of the visit the Operation Commander had the opportunity to express his commitment to strengthening and enhancing mutual support. The members of the OHQ briefed the delegation with a comprehensive intelligence and threat assessment in the Area of Operations. The delegation had also the opportunity to pay a visit to the Joint Operations Centre that allows the monitoring of all maritime events in the area.
On 20th October, Atalanta received the visit of Ambassador Pulch, recently nominated Senior Coordinator of the Maritime Area of Interest in the North-Western Indian Ocean in the ample framework of the Coordinated Maritime Presences concept. The Operation felt honoured about his visit, just two weeks after his appointment, which points also at the importance he attributes to Atalanta.
After an introduction about the Operation, its modus operandi, key achievements, important features, and challenges, an active and interesting roundtable discussion evolved about the future way of cooperation. Ambassador Pulch showed particular interest in Atalanta’s relations with coastal states, regional organisations and fora that have also a political dimension. From Atalanta’s side, the presentations stressed the importance of the excellent cooperation with the International Shipping Industry, which is crucial for the operation, and the future scenarios of collaboration with EMASOH – Operation Agenor. This first meeting with Ambassador Pulch has been a very promising exchange and begin of a close cooperation.
On 29th October, the Operation Commander had the opportunity to pay his first official visit to the European-led Maritime Security Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and to its military pillar, Operation Agenor. On board Italian ship ITS Thaon di Revel, he was welcomed by the French Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Slaars. He also had the opportunity to hold discussions with the Danish Senior Civilian Representative and head of the political pillar of EMASOH, H.E. Brix Tange, and the Italian Force Commander, Rear Admiral Costantino. The discussions turned around EMASOH future and its privileged relationship with Atalanta. The current discussions on the future of the two operations are aligned with the recommendations of the 2022 Holistic Strategic Review, which calls for “further strengthening of links and mutual support”.
On the 3rd October, the Commander of the Forces Françaises stationnées à Djibouti, Brigadier General Laurent Boïté, visited Atalanta’s facilities in Djibouti, namely the SEA, Support Element of Atalanta, and received an overview of the personnel, mission and tasks of this logistic unit. On his turn, Colonel-in—Chief of the Air Base 188 of the Armée de l’Air et de l’espace, Colonel Fabien Coulibaly, visited the Orion Detachment, receiving a briefing on the capabilities of the P-3 Orion and missions carried out to guarantee Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean. The French Forces in Djibouti are a key support for Atalanta units, keeping a close and fruitful relationship.
From the 23rd to the 29th October, Atalanta participated in the Combined Maritime Forces TF151 Focused Operation “Mare Liberum”, dedicated to counter piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa. The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft P-3 “CISNE”, assigned to the Orion Detachment in Djibouti participated as “Coordinated Force”, enhancing Maritime Security awareness and early warning on any suspicious activity in the Area of Operations. Atalanta’s flagship “Numancia” conducted sea joint activities with South Korean “Kang Gam Chan” in direct support to CTF-151, and with Japanese Destroyer “Harusame”. These activities prove close coordination between warships, thanks to activities such as communications check, tactical manoeuvres and cross deck flights. These exercises underlines the close cooperation between the different forces as trusted partners against piracy and other illegal activities.
On 9th October, Atalanta welcomed the FS “Nivose”, a Floréal class frigate from the French Marine National that joined Atalanta in associated support. FS “Nivose” has participated several times in Atalanta, intervening in significant counter piracy actions and monitoring illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It was also deployed in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation “Enduring Freedom” in 2001 and was tasked delivering humanitarian aid after cyclone Idai hit Mozambique in 2019.
Besides the Force Command flagship, Spanish frigate ESPS “Numancia” and the Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft CISNE, these assets have temporarily reinforced the Operation in Direct Support or in Associated Support, when the asset remains under national command: (from left to right) FS Aconit, 3rd – 12th October in Direct Support, 12th – 24th October in Associated Support; FS Nivose, 9th October – 1st November in Associated Support. The Operation also counted on the additional support of the aircrafts FRA Breguet Atlantic (Call sign Ulysse H), 13th – 23rd October in Associated Support and FRA Falcon 50M (Xenon), 23rd – 31st October in Associated Support.
On 12th October, the ES-OHQ celebrated Spanish National Day, commemorating the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. The date marks the launch of an historic process of State construction and cultural projection beyond the boundaries of Europe. 328 Spanish men and women devote their efforts to the Operation. On its turn, the Orion Detachment in Djibouti, celebrated the date counting on the presence of the Spanish Ambassador in Ethiopia, accredited in Djibouti, H.E. Manuel Salazar Palma.
On 19th October, staff of the Orion Detachment of Atalanta delivered to CARITAS Djibouti aid materials donated by Spanish charitable organizations, such as La Estela de Ayo, Damas de Loreto of the JMOVA, Moron Air Base, and Fundación Valores del Fútbol. This kind of collaborations highlights the mutual trust between Atalanta and the local communities. On 24th October, the beneficiaries from this aid was the associations Solidarité Feminine and Baraka.