On the 7th February 2015, the Italian Task Force Air (TFA) in Djibouti completed its deployment with the EU Naval Force. The detachment, which boasts a Predator Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV), arrived in Djibouti last August and performed its first flight on the 4th September 2014. Since then, the
On Saturday 31 January the Chairman of the EU Military Committee, General Patrick de Rousiers, visited the Spanish Maritime Patrol Aircraft ‘Orion’ Detachment based in Djibouti. The General was welcomed to Djibouti by EU Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Joseph Silva and the Commanding Officer of the Or
On Thursday 29 January the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, welcomed the Commander of the Korean Escort Task Group 17 and Commanding Officer of ROKS Dae Jo Yeong, Captain Sun-Woo Hwang, on board the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Andrea Doria. Both Forces are conducting counter-piracy ope
On Friday 30 January the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, visited the Commander of the Chinese Escort Task Group 547, Rear Admiral Jiang Gouping, on board the Chinese flagship, CNS Linyi. Rear Admiral Rando was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS An
UK’s New RFA Tankers to Get Military Capabilities The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £15 million contract to A&P Group to install high-end military capabilities in four new tankers so that they are ready for operations by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Philippine Navy to Receive Two Vessels from A
On Monday, 26 January, the EU Naval Force Flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, and the Japanese warship JS Harusame met at sea in the Gulf of Aden. On board the Flagship, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, hosted the Commander of Escort Division 2, Captain Masatoshi Kashihar
EU Naval Force German frigate, FGS Lubeck, has safely escorted a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel from Mombasa to the port of Kismayo in southern Somalia. The escort of WFP vessels along the Somali coast is a key role of EU Naval Force warships to protect them from pirates. After rendezvousing outs
The Type 23 Frigate HMS Kent has started 2015 by stepping up the fight against international terrorism. Having spent the end of 2014 working with the carrier task group of the USS Carl Vinson, in the Middle East, the Portsmouth-based warship’s focus for 2015 has shifted to the Indian Ocean and keepi
On 21 of January, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, hosted on board his flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, the Commander of the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151), Rear Admiral Wanich Pakorn. Rear Admiral Pakorn was accompanied by his Public Affairs Officer, Commander Komo
On Sunday 11 January during one of her counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Rayo, sighted several fishing vessels. In order to develop a greater understanding of the pattern of life of local seafarers and any concerns they may have about piracy, the Spanish Navy w
EU Naval Force Warship ESPS Rayo provided much-needed medical assistance during a ‘friendly approach’ to local Yemeni seafarers during counter-piracy operations in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). This was the sixth friendly approach that ESPS Rayo has achieved since joining
A new EU anti-piracy mission will soon commence in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast. The Swedish Navy will contribute by assisting in escorting World Food Programme vessels to Somalia, as well as other vessels in need of protection. This will be the fourth initiative since 2009. The mission
During their recent port visit to Djibouti, EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Rayo, welcomed the Spanish Chief of Defence Staff, General Admiral Fernando García Sánchez, on board. General Admiral García Sánchez was accompanied by several military officials, including the Fleet Admiral and Joint Operation
During their recent port visit to Djibouti, the Operations Officer and three pilots from the EU Naval Force Spanish warship, ESPS Rayo, met with personnel from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERSQ), who are stationed at US base, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. During the visit the Spanish Navy c
