On Sunday, 3 November, EUNAVFOR Force Commander, Commodore Peter Lenselink and members of his staff, visited the Italian warship, ITS Libeccio.
After being welcomed by the ship’s commanding officer, Commander Stefano Calvetti, Commodore Lenselink was introduced to the crew and given a tour of the ship. The Commodore expressed to his appreciation for the positive and enthusiastic attitude the crew showed and also underlined the importance of having naval units in the sea area to counter piracy.
Capabilities Commodore Lenselink had a chance to witness the capabilities that ITS Libeccio can offer into the mission. The Force Commander explained he was “impressed by the motivation of the crew and the capabilities that ITS Libeccio brings to the Force.”
ITS Libeccio ITS Libeccio departed her home port of La Spezia, Italy, on 26th August and joined Operation Atalanta on 6th October after an intense period of operational training, first in Taranto (Italy) at the Naval and Air Training Centre, and then in Souda (Greece) at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational training Center (NMIOTC).
[mappress] Press Release, November 06, 2013; Image: EU Navfor