Recently the European Union Naval Force flagship “Brandenburg” held a port visit to the Seychelles. During this period the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, welcomed the Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá, for a mid-term-review discussion.
Both Flag Officers also took the opportunity to visit the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Detachment, which is based at the Mahe Island main airport.
They received a short presentation of the capabilities and technical equipment of the MPRA and a practical introduction to the aircraft during their visit at the airport.
Speaking directly to the MPRA crew personnel they were able to address maritime security issues in the area of operation.
The MPRA Detachment with its two Aircrafts “Merlin E3” are deployed to the Seychelles since October 2009. The EU Naval Force’s mandate is to deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea and it provides valuable counter-piracy protection at sea to World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering aid to the Somali people.
[mappress] Press Release, June 18, 2014; Image: EU NAVFOR