On 28 September, EU Naval Force Flagship ITS Andrea Doria arrived in Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman for a busy 4 day port visit.
The port visit coincided with a port visit of the flagship of NATO Operation Ocean Shield, HDMS Esbern Snare and a visit of the Force Commander of Combined Maritime Force’s (CMF) Counter Piracy Operation (CTF-151). The Force Commander of EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, hosted his counterpart from NATO, Commodore Aage Buur Jensen (Royal Danish Navy) and CMF CTF-151, Commodore Tony Millar (Royal New Zealand Navy), onboard the Italian Destroyer Andrea Doria.
The three Force Commanders were able to discuss cooperation in counter-piracy operations and attend the Handover ceremony of the Commanding Officer of ITS Andrea Doria which also took place when Captain Gianfranco Annunziata was replaced by Captain Angelo Virdis.
Also during the port visit Rear Admiral Rando visited the Chief of the Royal Navy of Oman, Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi, and the Commanding Officer of the Omani Coast Guard Headquarters, Brigadier Bader Khalfan Al Zadgali. During the meetings Rear Admiral Rando was able to discuss counter-piracy operations and developments within the Omani forces and discuss the possible, future Omani Maritime Security Centre based in Muscat.
Also members of the Royal Navy of Oman were able to visit the ITS Andrea Doria for a ships tour and briefing.
The port visit also allowed members of the Force Headquarters and crew of ITS Andrea Doria to visit the historic port of Oman.
[mappress] Press Release, October 03, 2014; Image: EU NAVFOR