Latest News From EU NAVFOR
EU Naval Force Warships Ensure Humanitarian Aid Gets to the People of Somalia
During the last week EU Naval Force (NAVFOR) Spanish and French frigates have ensured that much needed humanitarian aid has been delivered safely to the people of Somalia. From 5 to 11 April, Spanish frigate ESPS Infanta Elena and French warship FS Aconit took it in turns to escort World Food Programme (WFP) ship MW Golden Bridge from Mogadishu to Berbera.
Departing from Mogadishu on 5 April, MV Golden Bridge was escorted by the Spanish frigate Infanta Elena up to the Horn of Africa, then on 8 April, just hours after disrupting 8 suspected pirates on board a whaler, French frigate Aconit took over the escort, heading towards Berbera on the northern coast of Somalia.
To have more flexibility and freedom of manoeuvre and to be able to respond immediately to an attack from pirates, Aconit’s commanding officer deployed his vessel protection detachment on board M/V Golden Bridge. This also offered the opportunity to brief Golden Bridge’s crew on Best Management Practices that will help them defend themselves against pirates.
M/V Golden Bridge arrived safely in Berbera on 11 April and ESPS Infanta Elena and FS Aconit are once again conducting counter-piracy patrols off the Somali coast.
Escorting WFP ships is one of EU NAVFOR Atalanta’s main missions and since 2008, no WFP ship has been hijacked. Almost 150 ships have delivered more than 800,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia.
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New EU Naval Force Flagship FS Marne Gets Busy Replenishing Counter-Piracy Task Force
Having taken over as the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) flagship on 7 April 2012, French warship FS Marne has already been very busy out at sea ensuring that the Task Force remains fully prepared for counter-piracy operations off Somalia. In her first 3 days the ship has carried out a number of replenishments at sea (RAS), transferring fuel, food and spare parts to 4 of the other EU warships.
As well as replenishing the ships, the new EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Dupuis (French Navy) and his staff took the opportunity to meet the commanding officers and crew of the EU ships – the Admiral met the commanding officers of Portuguese frigate Corte Real and French Navy warships FS Georges Leygues, Aconit and Dixmude. A replenishment at sea was also carried out with spanish frigate Reina Sofia.
Such meetings are seen as important because they make it possible for the Force Commander to meet his Task Force commanding officers face-to-face and it also allows him to get an update on the ships’ capabilities and any operational issues.
As well as rendezvousing with other EU warships, over the coming months FS Marne will also meet up with other counter-piracy Task Forces such as NATO and the Combined Maritime Force, together with the independent deployers in the Indian Ocean to ensure good coordination and cooperation is maintained in the fight against piracy.
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ITS SCIROCCO Joins The EU Naval Force
On Saturday the 14th of April the Italian Frigate ITS SCIROCCO has joined the European Naval Force to combat piracy off Somalia.
ITS SCIROCCO, while being specifically equipped for anti-submarine warfare, is an effective multi-purpose frigate with an extensive experience in counter-piracy operations acquired during previous deployment in the context of Operation “Ocean Shield”.
ITS SCIROCCO has a length of 123mt, a crew of 230 and is equipped with different air, surface and sub-surface sensors and weapon systems, including two AB212 helicopters.
All Sources: EU NAVFOR Somalia - http://www.eunavfor.eu/