On 1 May, Finnish warship FNS POHJANMAA said farewell to Operation ATALANTA. The flagship of the Finnish Navy patrolled the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden for three months after integrating into the European Union Task Force.
POHJANMAA complied effectively and efficiently with all tasks she was given. She spent most of her time at sea protecting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden and escorting vessels of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). In early April she disrupted a suspected Pirate Action Group.
Finland has been a strong supporter of Op ATALANTA and POHJANMAA’s participation in Operation ATALANTA was historical for Finland and its navy. This was the first time that Finland has participated in an international naval operation with a warship.
The new Force Commander, Portuguese Commodore Alberto Correia, visited FNS POHJANMAA during her last days in the operation and thanked POHJANMAA for her service.
EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia
( eunavfor ) [mappress] Source: eunavfor, May 3, 2011;