EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On Monday 26 October, 2015, ESPS Victoria received a stores air-drop from the Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), CASA CN-235, based in Djibouti.

The patrol aircraft flew out to ESPS Victoria’s location at sea off the coast of Somalia to deliver a vital piece of equipment for the Seahawk helicopter on board.

When the Spanish aircrew were flying 100 feet above sea level, they dropped the equipment into the water close to the warship. ESPS Victoria’s boarding team then retrieved the cargo via the ship’s boat.

Receiving equipment and supplies by air or by rendezvousing with supply ships at sea enables Operation Atalanta’s warships to keep vital capabilities, such as the Seahawk helicopter, fully operational and importantly allows the ships to stay at sea to conduct counter-piracy patrols and to protect vulnerable shipping transiting the area.