The new Force Commander in EU NAVFOR, Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist from Sweden, accompanied by former Force Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Gumiero, entering the Hand over/Take over-ceremony on board Italian ship ETNA

At 1200 GMT today, Wednesday the 14 April, the Italian Rear Admiral Giovanni Gumiero relinquished command of Task Force 465, the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta.

The Swedish Rear Admiral Jan Thörnqvist took over command and the multinational Force Headquarters will now operate from the EU NAVFOR HSwMS Carlskrona.
 
“Operation Atalanta is, and will continue to be, a very important operation, foremost from a humanitarian perspective. Our military effort will therefore contribute to generate relief for those who suffer in Somalia and security for seafarers sailing the waters off Somalia”, admiral Thörnqvist said.
 
He also stated that his intention is to continue the very good work of Admiral Gumiero and his team onboard the Italian ship Etna.
 
The new Force Commander continued, “I am very proud to be entrusted with the task of commanding Task Force 465 and confident in doing this important job together with my multinational staff afloat, including the crew onboard Carlskrona, the other EU NAVFOR units and our logistic support in Djibouti”.
 
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

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Suspected pirates tries to escape

While EU NAVFOR Warship FGS EMDEN was proceeding to the last known position of a pirate attack  reported by the Spanish fishing vessel ALBATUN 2, on the 18th of March, her helicopter found one whaler and two attack skiffs with twelve persons onboard.

When the suspected pirates noticed the presence of the helicopter, they tried to escape, and it took warning shots to stop them fleeing. They then jumped overboard and swam to their mother ship. More warning shots were required to stop the whaler that tried to escape as well. As a result of this action, two attack skiffs were destroyed and grappling hooks were seized.

Two days later the EMDEN’s helicopter discovered a new PAG, consisting of one mother ship (whaler) and two skiffs in tow about 250 nautical miles from Somali coast. Initially, the mother ship refused to stop and to follow the instructions given by the helicopter. Warning shots were necessary to stop them and finally a boarding team was sent onboard the PAG. The boarding team destroyed several weapons, grappling hooks and ladders and afterwards the two skiffs were destroyed as well.

This operation is a part of a coordinated operation planned and directed by EU NAVFOR staff embarked in EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA, to disrupt pirate activity.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing off the Somali coast.

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FGS EMDEN towing Dhow towards Yemen

On 19th February the EU NAVFOR German warship FGS Emden was tasked to investigate a dhow and a skiff acting strangely in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).

It was noticed that the dhow was “dead in the water” and had not moved for some time. An investigation team from Emden boarded the dhow and confirmed that it had been abandoned by the crew who had taken off in the fishing skiff. The engine on the dhow was unserviceable and it was decided to take it in tow and out of international waters as a safety precaution to other ships in the area.

The EU Force Headquarters onboard the Italian warship ITS ETNA, contacted the owner of the dhow and arranged to return it on the evening of the 20th February. The dhow was towed towards Yemeni territorial waters near the town of Ash Shihr and handed over to a grateful owner.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
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ITS ETNA and MV ALPHA KIRAWIRA

On the afternoon 11th February, EU NAVFOR Warship ITS ETNA successfully completed her first escort in ATALANTA Operation.

The AMISOM chartered vessel, M/V ALPHA KIRAWIRA, was escorted from Mombassa to Mogadishu for four days, guaranteeing the safe arrival of humanitarian aids to Somalia and material for AMISOM troops based in Mogadishu.

EU NAVFOR Warship ITS ETNA will wait in waters off Mogadishu for the unloading of M/V ALPHA KIRAWIRA, expected on the morning 12th February, and will provide further protection to the merchant vessel on the way back to Mombassa.

EU NAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

FCDR RAdm GUMIERO and Chief of Defense Brigadier PAYET

On 29th of January, after three weeks of patrolling in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA called in at Port VICTORIA, Republic of Seychelles for a four day visit.

EU NAVFOR Commander RAdm Giovanni GUMIERO met several Civilian and Military Authorities, including Vice President BELMONT and Minister MORGAN who expressed their gratitude to EU NAVFOR for their continuing support to the Seychelles in the anti piracy mission.

Seychelles is playing a fundamental role in fighting piracy following a written agreement between EU and the Republic of SEYCHELLES on 30th of October which allows apprehended alleged pirates and armed robbers to be transferred from EU NAVFOR Units to the Island for prosecution.

Piracy contributes to destabilisation in the Region especially for a Nation such as Seychelles. It deters national fishing fleets from operating in the Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone and a considerable number of cruise and merchant ships divert to other ports. This creates an impact on tourism and does have a limiting factor on the economic growth of the Nation. The Political and Military Authorities and RAdm GUMIERO agreed to enhance the already close cooperation between the Seychellois Coast Guard, Seychelles Defence Forces and EU NAVFOR. Maritime Patrol Aircraft from EU NAVFOR are provided with basing facilities in the Seychelles and have already conducted joint operations against piracy.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

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Pakistani fisherman arrives on board ITS ETNA

In early December a Pakistani fishing vessel was hijacked by pirates not far from the territorial waters of Oman and, during the attack, one of the fishermen was shot in the leg just below the knee.

As a consequence, the crew was kept as hostages, including the wounded Pakistani fisherman, who was left for about a month without any treatment of the wound or stabilisation of his leg. The captured fishing vessel was later used by the pirates as a mother-ship from where they launched piratical attacks in the area using smaller skiffs they had loaded on board. After one such successful attack, the pirates abandoned the fishing vessel and the crew were rescued by the EU NAVFOR Warship FS SURCOUF that was patrolling in the area.

The wounded fisherman received immediate first aid medical treatment and was then transferred to EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA who has a Role 2 Medical facility and surgical team onboard. Onboard ETNA he was examined and received some extended wound-treatment including initial surgery. ETNA subsequently transferred their patient to the French Military Hospital “Bouffard” in Djibouti, where some final surgical treatment was carried out.

After nearly a month in the care of EU NAVFOR and the French Military Hospital, the man was cleared fit to fly home. Before leaving he expressed his sincere gratitude for all the assistance that he received onboard EU NAVFOR ships SURCOUF and ETNA and also at the Military Hospital. He arrived in Pakistan on 26th January.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

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ITS ETNA Refuelling Pakistan Navy Frigate PNS KHAIBAR

While patrolling in the Gulf Of Aden, EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA, with COMEUNAVFOR RAdm Giovanni Gumiero embarked, provided the Pakistan Navy Frigate PNS KHAIBAR with fuel and water, thus enhancing the spirit of cooperation among coalition Naval forces operating on anti piracy patrol in the gulf of Aden.

On the early morning of 20th of January, PNS KHAIBAR approached EU NAVFOR ITS ETNA on her port side, while proceeding on a steady course and speed, applying all standard procedures used in a Refuelling At Sea (RAS) Operation. After the preliminary warning whistles sounded by the boatswain, all the hoses and equipment were passed to the Pakistani Warship and the RAS was conducted successfully and smoothly.

Pakistan is contributing to the fight against piracy with a Frigate patrolling in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, serving under the Command of CTF 151 (US-led anti piracy coalition Task Force).

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

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RAdm Gumiero and Senior Captain Qiu Yanpeng

On the 16th of January 2010, taking advantage of the vicinity of the two Flagships in the Gulf Of Aden, CTF 465, RAdm Gumiero, and CTF 525 (Chinese People Liberation Army Navy Task Force), Senior Captain Qiu Yanpeng took the opportunity to  arrange a meeting.

The meeting was conducted in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere on board the Chinese Warship MA’ANSHAN. Senior Captain Qui YANPENG, the Chief of the Chinese Mission, received RAdm Gumiero and a delegation from FHQ on the flight deck. The meeting was aimed at continuing the coordination in the IRTC, seeking more interoperability and enhancing the already good relations between the two Task Forces. It is not the first time that the Commander of the Chinese Task Force has met COMEUNAVFOR, as well as other CTFs operating in this Region, thus demonstrating the strong links between all the forces in the area.

The Fourth Chinese Escort Task Group consists of three frigates, MA’ANSHAN, WENZHOU, CHAOHU, and one General Supply Ship, QIANDAOHU. TF 525 main tasks are to maintain the security of GOA, safeguard Chinese vessels and personnel transiting GOA and waters off Somalia, offer protection to vessels carrying humanitarian materials for international organizations like WFP and ensure safety of vessels from other countries and regions following our convoy.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

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Medical team on deck

Within a week of taking over her anti piracy duties in the Gulf of Aden as the EU NAVFOR Flag Ship, Italian warship ETNA has shown her ability to react swiftly in a crisis. A sailor from another warship in EU TF 465 was rapidly evacuated to ETNA for specialist medical treatment after an accident where a sailor broke his leg.

The patient was given first aid by the trained medical staff on board his ship while the helicopter pilot and crew prepared for action. Arriving on the flight deck of ETNA, the patient was carefully transported to the medical centre for treatment. ETNA is an extremely capable and versatile support unit, with specialist medical facilities ranging from an operating theatre and intensive care unit, through to blood analysis, x-ray and dental facilities. On board is a team of surgeons, doctors and support medical staff ready to support the force round-the-clock if and when required. 

ITS ETNA take part in the EUNAVFOR mission Operation ATALANTA. The main tasks of Operation ATALANTA are to escort merchant vessels carrying food of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), the protection of vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

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Rear Admiral Giovanni Gumiero and Commodore Pieter Bindt

With a simple ceremony off Djibouti waters, onboard the EU NAVFOR Dutch warship EVERTSEN, RADM Giovanni GUMIERO, Italian Navy, took over Command of Task Force 465 from RADM Pieter BINDT, Netherlands Navy. The Italian Navy Admiral will lead the Multinational Anti-Piracy Maritime Force in conducting the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) – Operation ATALANTA, on board the Italian Auxiliary Ship ETNA for the next four months.

The EU NAVFOR warships EVERTSEN and ETNA met in the Gulf of Aden, off the port of Djibouti. The ceremony took place onboard EVERTSEN, where the Commanders exchanged information regarding Operation ATALANTA and its challenges. Now ETNA, under the Command of Captain Italian Navy Marco NOVELLA,will commence his duties acting as the new Flagship of the Force Commander of the EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA.

Admiral GUMIERO stated: “I would like to take this opporrtunity to express my gratitude for the enthusiastic and determined support to the anti piracy mission, accomplishing the assigned tasks, showing their high level of readiness and flexibility. The Task Force has achieved remarkable results so far and I am confident that with their motivation and dedication we can further enhance our effectiveness, thus granting continuity to EU efforts in establishing freedom and security at sea in this region of the world”.

ITS Etna is a naval replenishment and logistic support ship. She is capable of fully supporting long-range missions and performing Command and Control duties. The ship has high autonomous capacity to provide electrical power, fresh water. She is also fully equipped with hospital and medical facilities on board.

For Further Information

Chain of Command and Biographies
http://www.eunavfor.eu/about-us/chain-of-command/

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