During their joint counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, the commanding officer of Republic of Korea warship, Choi Young, Kim Kyung Ryul, took the opportunity to invite Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Rafael Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas and his Force HQ staff on board.

After being warmly welcomed on the flight deck, Rear Admiral Fernández-Pintado was given an operational briefing about the Republic of Korea Navy and its commitment to strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

Following the briefing both commanders went on a tour of the ship, where Rear Admiral Fernández-Pintado was introduced to members of the ship’s crew.

During their meeting ESPS Galicia and ROKS Choi Young’s navigators carried out ship manoeuvres as a sign of the close partnership between Operation Atalanta and the Republic of Korea Navy.