On Friday 26 June 2015, Operation Atalanta Force Commander, Rear Admiral Alfonso Gómez Fernández de Córdoba, visited Japanese warship JDS Ikazuchi at sea.  The EU Naval Force Commander was hosted by the Commander of the Japanese Escort Division 1, Captain Atsushi Nakasuji and the JDS Ikazuchi’s Commanding Officer, Commander Kazuharu Hokazono.

The visit included a guided tour of the warship’s operations room, bridge and officers’ wardroom, where there was an exchange of gifts, followed by a traditional Japanese lunch.

Speaking during the visit, Rear Admiral de Córdoba stated ‘I would like to thank you all for hosting me and my team on board.  I am very much looking forward to working with you, using the opportunity to share situational awareness and increase the cooperation between our Task Forces.  I strongly believe that cooperation is key to maintain the successfully counter-piracy activity in the region. I am aware that the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces have a long tradition and are the pride of Japan. I would like to thank, as well, the contribution of Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces.’

As part of the goodwill gesture, a delegation of Japanese officers was also hosted on board the EU Naval Force flagship, ESPS Galicia, by the ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas.