On Monday 27 July 2015, the Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force, Major General Martin Smith MBE, visited the Operation Atalanta flagship, ESPS Galicia.

Arriving by the ship’s SH3D helicopter, Major General Smith was welcomed on board by the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Alfonso Gómez Fernández de Córdoba.

Following a tour of the ship and lunch in the Wardroom, Major General Smith was briefed on the counter-piracy operations carried out since the handover of the Force HQ to ESPS Galicia in May.

EU Naval Force’s continuing protection of World Food Programme vessels carrying aid to the Somali people and the Local Maritime Capacity Building training that is helping to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean were also discussed.

Before he departed ESPS Galicia, Major General Smith said: “Operation Atalanta continues to be a very successful operation and you should all be proud of your achievements in helping to keep the seas safer for seafarers and their vessels.”