Two junior officers of the Royal Navy of Oman embarked on European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) flagship, ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE as a good example for the close relation between the European Union (EU) and the Sultanate of Oman. This is one of the several joint activities taken place in the last weeks between EU NAVFOR and Oman Navy.
Last week, two junior officers of the Royal Navy of Oman embarked on ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE to take part in the different routines on board with the rest of the crew. It was an opportunity for their professional growth, and to strengthen the good relationship between the European Union through Operation Atalanta and the Sultanate of Oman. This is the first of a series of rotations of Omani officers aboard the EU NAVFOR flagship.
In the previous weeks, several joint activities were conducted with the Royal Navy of Oman during the visit of ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE to the port of Salalah in Oman from 22 to 25 July. First, the visit of EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Fabrizio Rutteri, to the Southern Command of the Omani Navy, commanded by Captain Talal.
The other two activities took place on board the DE LA PENNE starting with an exchange of crews between the Italian ship and the Omani ship, RON AL MUAZZAR. Followed by a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) exercise that was conducted by ITS DURAND DE LA PENNE’s boarding team on board RON AL MUAZZAR to demonstrate boarding capabilities to the Oman Navy teams.
Oman and the European Union share common interests and continue working together in maintaining maritime security in the area. Oman is a key player in the region to ensure freedom of navigation and security, and an important provider of logistic support to the Operation as the Omani ports of Muscat, Duqm, and Salalah are frequently used by EU NAVFOR assets.
