European Union Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta » NUMANCIA

Former EU NAVFOR flagship Spanish warship NUMANCIA returns to port in Spain

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:53:18 +0000

After nearly five months of deployment EU NAVFOR Spanish warship SNS NUMANCIA and SNS MARQUES DE LA ENSENADA returned to Rota Spain under the command of Captain (N) Juan Garat Caramé who recently handed over the Force Command to Commodore Pieter Bindt of the Netherlands.

Captain (N) Garat and the crews were greeted by a large number of relatives assembled at the jetty in Rota Naval Base. They were officially welcomed by the Chief of the Spanish Navy, Admiral Juan C Muñoz-Delgado.

Among those assembled to welcome Captain (N) Garat and the two ships was also EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Thorsten Kaehler who stated at the occasion,

“We welcome NAMANCIA and her crew back to Spain. On behalf of EU NAVFOR I would like to take the opportunity to thank Captain (N) Juan Garat Caramé and his crew for a well done job.”

NUMANCIA arrived in Rota – Chief of Sanish Navy, Admiral Juan Carlos Munoz-Diaz del Rio, muster the crew – Deputy Force Commander Rear Admiral Thorsten Kaehler thanks Captain (N) Juan Garat Carame.

Dutch Frigate becomes the flagship of EU NAVFOR Atalanta

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:28:06 +0000

At a ceremony in the Red Sea onboard the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship NUMANCIA Force Commander Captain (N) Juan Garat Caramé, handed over Command of the FHQ to Commodore Pieter Bindt of the Netherlands. Commodore Bindt will lead the multinational FHQ from the EU NAVFOR Netherlands warship HNLMS EVERTSEN for the next four months.

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SPAIN hands over the anti-piracy baton to the Netherlands – EU Naval Force Headquarters (FHQ) Command Changes hands

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:28:33 +0000

Commodore Bindt (right) thanked Captain Caramé - NUMANCIA and EVERTSEN (front)

The EU NAVFOR warships NUMANCIA and EVERTSEN met north of the narrow straight Bab al Mandeb, in the southern Red Sea. The hand over took place onboard NUMANCIA and the Commanders exchanged information relating to Operation Atalanta and the challenges ahead. EVERTSEN now heads for the Gulf of Aden as the new flagship of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, the first naval European Security Defence Policy (ESDP) mission for the European Union. NUMANCIA will now proceed to Spain after nearly five months at sea.

Captain Careme stated ”I would like to take the opportunity to thank the crew of NUMANCIA and all other ships under my command including France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden and all multinational staff from other participating nations. It has been a privilege to serve with them. I wish Commodore Bindt and the Netherlands all the best during their mission”.

The new EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Commodore Bindt thanked Captain Caramé and stated. ”EVERTSEN will continue to build on the successful work of Captain Caramé and the units under his Command, in support of the objectives of EU NAVFOR operation Atalanta”.

The primary objectives handed over to the new Commander of the FHQ are: the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia, protecting vulnerable vessels sailing through the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast and deterring, preventing and repressing acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.

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Dutch Navy leads anti piracy task

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:16:50 +0000

Deployment of HNLMS EVERTSEN

On Sunday 2 Aug 09, the EU NAVFOR Dutch ship HNLMS EVERTSEN under the Command of Commander Cees Vooijs sailed from Den Helder to join the EU Naval Force operating off the Somali coast in its Anti Piracy mission. Onboard the ship is Commodore Peter Bindt who will take over the role of Force Commander from the EU NAVFOR Spanish ship NUMANCIA in the middle of August in the Gulf of Aden.

Admiral Peter Hudson, the Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR based in the Headquarters in Northwood was in Den Helder to say farewell to the latest member of his force to join the Anti Piracy mission. Admiral Hudson discussed the forthcoming mission with both Commodore Bindt and Commander Voojis and said how important it was for European Member States to contribute fully to this hugely important international task which the EU is acknowledged as leading.

Admiral Hudson, in talking to the members of the Press stated that “Piracy was continuing and would continue until a political solution was found in Somalia”. He was pleased that the EU force is leading the way in this international task and that the actions of EU NAVFOR ships was having a direct effect on the reducing success rates of pirates’ attacks. “before the EU NAVFOR ships were engaged, the pirates were successful in hijacking a vessel in about one in three attacks”.

Since EU NAVFOR has been involved we have reduced that success rate to about one in eight or nine”. Admiral Hudson also met the Director of Operations for the Dutch Chief Defence Staff General Oosterndorp who was pleased that the Dutch were about to play such a prominent role in an extremely important operation.

HNLMS EVERTSEN will proceed to the Gulf of Aden and relieve the present Force Commander Captain Garat Carame onboard the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship NUMANCIA who has been controlling operations in the area for the last four months. The ships will meet in the Gulf of Aden in the middle of August and formally hand over command of the EU NAVFOR.

EU NAVFOR Spanish warship NUMANCIA meets fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:16:34 +0000

EU NAVFOR Spanish warship NUMANCIA, flagship of EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta, has been patrolling the eastern waters of Somalia and Kenya where French and Spanish tuna fishing fleets operate.

NUMANCIA’s helicopter located a fleet of EU fishing vessels and established visual and radio communications. The frigate joined the vessels reassuring them against pirates with her presence and offered support. Afterwards, Captain EU NAVFOR’s Force Commander Juan Garat visited the Spanish tuna fishing vessel CAMPOLIBRE ALAI and met the crew. This was a good opportunity for the fishing vessels to learn more about Operation Atalanta, and the task that EU has undertaken in the fight against piracy in these waters.

Unprecented Coordination against piracy at sea

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:23:31 +0000

July, 19th., three separate Task Forces with different mandates have proven that the international community stands shoulder to shoulder in combating the scourge of Piracy. On 19 July COMEUNAVFOR, Captain Juan Garat (ESPN), had a meeting on board his flagship, EU NAVFOR SPS NUMANCIA in the Gulf of Aden with his counterparts, Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group SNMG2, Commodore S J Chick (RN), and Commander of Combined Task Force 151, RAdm. Caner Bener (TUN).

The Commanders of the three Tasks Forces operating in the Horn of Africa and off the coast of Somalia reaffirmed their views that they were working closely together to fight Piracy and allow international merchant shipping safe passage to transport their cargos all over the world without hindrance or danger from seaborne criminals.

During the meeting, the Force Commanders and their staffs provided briefings on areas of operation to improve the coordination and deconfliction when separate units operate in the same area. The meeting demonstrates that these Forces have an excellent working relationship where unprecedented coordination greatly improves their ability to deter or catch Pirates and bring them to justice. Captain Garat stated that “the close cooperation between all units in the Gulf of Aden has been the key to fighting piracy in the region”.

The Council of The EUROPEAN UNION decides to extend EU NAVFOR – Atalanta Operation for one year

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:35:17 +0000

The Council of the European Union agreed on Monday 15 June 2009 that EU NAVFOR – Operation Atalanta should be extended for one year from its current end date of 13 December 2009.

The Council noted that EU NAVFOR – Operation Atalanta had demonstrated its ability to act effectively against piracy, that piracy off the coast of Somalia was likely to remain a serious threat beyond the date of 13 December 2009, and that early agreement on extending the operation would facilitate the necessary force generation.

EU NAVFOR – Operation ATALANTA was launched on 8 December 2008 in support of UN Security Council resolutions 1814, 1816, 1838 and 1846 adopted in 2008. It is conducted under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). It is the first naval operation launched by the EU.

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson (UK), has commanded the Operation from the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) at Northwood, United Kingdom, since 3 June 2009. He plans and conducts the operation as directed by the authorities of the European Union.

Commander Juan Garat Caramé (ES) commands the European naval force from the Force Headquarters (FHQ) on board the NUMANCIA, a Spanish frigate present in the theatre.

Thirteen warships and three maritime patrol air surveillance aircraft are currently taking part in the Operation.

More information on www.consilium.europa.eu/eunavfor-somalia

Reinforcement for European Union Naval Force

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Sun, 03 May 2009 13:54:08 +0000

The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Atalanta, countering piracy around the Horn of Africa, on 2^nd of May has been reinforced by an incoming Greek ship, the frigate HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS.

After HS PSARA, the first flag ship of the operation, had left early April, Greece now is contributing with another unit. The HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS (F 466), named after a Greek hero from the 10^th century, is one of 10 originally Dutch KORTENAER-class frigates in service in the Greek Navy. The frigate has a displacement of 3500 tons, is equipped with several missile systems for anti-surface and anti-air warfare, torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare, several medium and light guns and also one organic helicopter, and has a crew of approximately 200. She will stay with the Task Force for several months.

The current composition of EU NAVFOR Atalanta is showing 11 ships plus 4 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). Force Commander is Captain Juan Garat Caramé.

- ESPS NUMANCIA ( Spanish frigate, flagship)

- HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS (Greek frigate)

- FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ (German frigate)

- FGS EMDEN (German frigate)

- FGS MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN (German frigate)

- ITS MAESTRALE (Italian frigate)

- FS COMMANDANT DUCUING (French frigate)

- FS NIVOSE (French frigate)

- FS ALBATROS (French Patrol boat)

- ESPS MARQUES DE LA ENSENADA (Spanish tanker)

- FGS BERLIN (German supply ship)

- P3 ORION (Spanish MPRA)

- P3 ORION (German MPRA)

- BREGUET ATLANTIC (French MPRA)

- FALCON 50 (French small MPRA)

Next reinforcement will be 2 Swedish corvettes plus 1 supply unit in the middle of May.

EU NAVFOR apprehends suspected Pirates

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:54:43 +0000

Nine suspected pirates were apprehended by the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship NUMANCIA 200 miles north of the Seychelles in the India Ocean shortly after the attack on the cruise liner MSC MELODY last Sunday. However, as there was not sufficient conclusive evidence to prosecute the suspects, who were in poor health, they were released from custody off the Seychelles coast and picked up by their coastguard yesterday evening. The capture operation was conducted in co-operation with an EU NAVFOR French Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a warship from the Indian Navy which also discovered an abandoned skiff not far from the scene.

Atalanta begins Maritime Aircraft Patrols in the Indian Ocean

EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:30:39 +0000

Spainish Maritime Partol Aircraft flying over the Frigate NUMANCIA

This week has seen significant activity both by the hijackers operating off the Somalia coast in the Indian Ocean and by Op Atalanta in combating their actions.

As a result of the good weather conditions and the deterrent effect of warships from EU NAVFOR, NATO and CTF 151 and other independent nations in the Gulf of Aden the hijackers have moved the attention into the Somali Basin. This has resulted in a number of hijackings both of merchant vessels and other smaller craft.

In an effort to locate these pirates in the vast area of the Indian Ocean EU NAVFOR has now begun regular surveillance sorties using Spanish and French Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

However, the pirates have not had it all their own way. As a result of FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ’s action last week in the Gulf of Aden, when a number of misguided Somalis attempted to attack a German Military tanker, 7 suspects were handed over to the Kenyan police in Mombasa earlier this week for prosecution.

Also the Greek Atalanta Flagship which handed over command to the Spanish Frigate ESPS NUMANCIA last weekend in Djibouti also apprehended 5 suspects early last week after a Norwegian owner chemical tanker was attacked in the Gulf of Aden.