On Tuesday 21 January EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado rendezvoused at sea for a joint replenishment at sea (RAS) with the logistics American ship, USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53.

The RAS saw more than 600 men and women from the EU Naval Force gathered in the same sea area in the Somali Basin, with the excellent coordination between all four ships ensuring that the refuelling was carried out quickly and efficiently.

On completion, the crews from EU Naval Force ships saluted the crew from USNS Joshua Humphreys and each other, before heading again to their respective counter piracy patrol areas.

After the RAS, the Force Commander Hervé Bléjean expressed his deep satisfaction “The meeting today of the ships in the EU Force and seeing them interacting together with USNS Joshua Humphreys, made me feel very proud and privileged. I witnessed at first hand true professionalism and dedication. I want also to salute the crucial support of Task Force 53 asset, USNS Joshua Humphreys, which performed in 24hrs the replenishment of four EUNAVFOR naval units, including ITS Libeccio yesterday. This activity once again highlighted the excellent international cooperation in the area of operation.”