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Uniquely, Mayotte is the only part of the European Union located inside Operation ATALANTA’s area of operations (AOO). FS Siroco’s port visit in Mayotte was also the opportunity for the French Landing Craft Unit (LCU) to complete a handover in the naval base The naval base is located in Dzaoudzi and carries out joint maritime surveillance operations with the local maritime forces. Speaking during the visit, the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean stated ‘I am delighted to be visiting Mayotte on this very significant day. It reminds us all of how the European Union is truly committed to combating the threat of piracy and Italian frigate ITS Libeccio has completed a fruitful port visit to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Eucap Ne18 Tanzanian officers and petty officers being given briefings and practical training on the protection measures used by merchant vessels to resist a pirate attack.stor (6) As well as conducting training with the Tanzanian Navy, the ship’s company also took time to lift the spirits of local children during a visit to a local orphanage, located in one of the poorest areas of the city. For the visit to the orphanage, the Italian sailors took with them boxes of clothes, toys and food that had been collected in Italy Some of the children together with the nuns, visited ITS Libeccio and sang songs during a Holy Mass that was celebrated on the flight deck. ITS Libeccio’s commanding officer, Commander Stefano Calvetti stated “It was such an unexpectedly joyous experience. We went to the orphanage to give, but in the end we received a much greater gift: a very special Christmas.” On arrival, the crew began the task of removing the complete main rotor assembly, as the airframe would not fit in to the transport aircraft with it in place. Once ESPS Tornado berthed in Djibouti, then the operation to crane the unserviceable helicopter from the ship’s flight deck to a flatbed truck swung into operation. The helicopter was escorted from the port by the Djiboutian Coastguard to the French Airbase Aerienne 188, where a hanger and crane had been arranged. On arrival, the crew began the task of removing the complete main rotor assembly, as the airframe would not fit in to the transport aircraft with it in place. In the early hours of 28 December the replacement airframe arrived in Djibouti and there followed a very busy period to off load one airframe and immediately load the other. Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean visiting one of the trial rooms with tele-conference capabilities in Palais de Justice. EU NAVFOR Force Commander arriving to Montagne Posée Prison and being welcomed by Raymond Saint-Ange, who is in charge of prison for ministry of Interior and the prison Superintendent of Montagne Posée prison, Maxime Tirant. “This regional legal support from The Seychelles is a key tool in order to set up the conditions for a safe and secure maritime environment. The legal finish is a crucial aspect of Operation Atalanta objectives.”, Rear Admiral Tarrant stated during the vi Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean visited the Montagne Posée Prison to get an overview of the capabilities of the impressive detention facility, where around 40 convicted Somali Pirates are currently being detained. During the EU Naval Force flagship’s port visit to the Seychelles, the EU force commander Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, paid a visit to the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) team. FS Siroco was on a logistics port visit to the Seychelles and as the Luxembourg MPRA is based at the Mahe Island main airport, Admiral Bléjean took the opportunity to call on the unit. Speaking during his visit, Admiral Bléjean stated: "I am very pleased that EU Naval Force MPRA is able to maintain maritime air security around the area of operations, with support from our regional partners.” The Ukrainian frigate UPS Hetman Sagaidachny is currently participating in NATO’s counter piracy operation, Ocean Shield and will soon join the EU Naval Force. Rear Admiral Bléjean got an overview of the capabilities and operational processes of the Ukrainian warship. The visit was an opportunity for Rear Admiral Bléjean (centre) to meet Commander of the Ukrainian Contingent, Rear Admiral Andrii Tarasov (right), the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Roman Piatnitskyi (left) Rear Admiral Bléjean returned to his flagship on board Hetman Sagaidachny’s impressive Ka-27 Helix helicopter. It was the first time that FS Siroco has embarked the Ka-27 Helix helicopter. During their recent port visit to Dar Es Salaam, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel, ESPS Tornado, conducted training with a team from the Tanzanian Navy. The material used by Spanish navy crew were showed to them. Nineteen members of the Tanzanian Navy were given a briefing on boarding operations, followed by a boarding exercise. On completion of the training, one of the Tanzanian trainees stated “This has been a great opportunity to build relations with the EU Naval Force.” EU Naval Force Maintains Strong Links With Combined Maritime Forces and NATO To deter Somali Piracy Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean was flown on board FGS Hessen by the German warship’s Sea Lynx MK-88A helicopter. On Friday morning 13 December 2013, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, who is the EU Force Commander for Operation Atalanta warships conducting counter piracy patrols off the Somali coast, visited Federal German Ship (FGS) Hessen. Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean was given a tour of the ship and a briefing on the operational capabilities of the 124 class frigate. Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean presenting FGS Hessen's Commanding Officer Commander Dirk Jacobus with the EU Naval Force crest. The Commanding Officer of the FGS Hessen Commander Dirk Jacobus presented the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean with the picture of the warship as a token of appriciation. French EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, hosted a meeting with Somaliland representatives, where a joint plan of future activities and programmes proposed by EUCAP Nestor was established and endorsed by the participants. In line with the European Union’s comprehensive approach to the region, the meeting was also seen as a stepping stone for technical cooperation between EUCAP Nestor, the EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta and Somaliland. During the meeting, a joint plan of The EU NAval Force flagship hosted a meeting with Somaliland representatives as Somaliland plays an important role in countering piracy in the region by deterring pirates’ activities on land, and is therefore seen as an important partner in strengthening