The Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Task Force 150 (CTF150) Commodore Jeremy Blunden Royal Navy, visited the EU Naval Force Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) detachments from both Germany and Spain in Djibouti. Commander Stefan Becker, the Commanding Officer of the Ger
Two NATO counter-piracy task force (CTF-508) warships, ITS MIMBELLI and TCG GÖKÇEADA, recently engaged in training regional partners in counter-piracy operations to enhance their respective abilities in improving maritime security in the waters off their coasts. Last week, the Italian frigate ITS
The men and women of HMAS Darwin are currently working hard conducting operations as part of Australia’s contribution to maritime security, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations in the Middle East Area of Operations. Embarked in Darwin is an S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter with a helicopter c
On 30 April, container ship MV Jumme Trader launched a SOS message after a crew member became very ill. The SOS was picked up by the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg and the Force Commander on board immediately directed EU Naval Force French warship, FS Floréal, to provide medical assistance
The Greek Navy frigate HS Psara which has been deployed with the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta since February has provided emergency medical assistance to the crew member of a dhow. It was during a routine flight by a Japanese Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance
On Saturday 26 April the master of a dhow spoke of his relief after 6 armed pirates, who had taken his vessel and crew hostage, fled the scene after sightings of an EU Naval Force Spanish maritime patrol and reconnaissance (MPRA) aircraft. The master confirmed his ordeal to members of the Boarding
During a port visit to Djibouti, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, met with the Chinese Military Attaché to Djibouti, Ji Mingzhou, on board the EU Naval Force flagship FGS Brandenburg. During the meeting they discussed the key issues related to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa and the successfu
On Wednesday 23 April the German Secretary of Defence, Ursula von der Leyen, visited the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg during the German warship’s port visit to Djibouti. In what was her first visit to the German Navy since her inauguration, she met the troops from the European Union’s co
Whilst conducting counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa different nations from different task forces often meet. In this case the US supply ship USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53 provided two flagships with fuel. FGS Brandenburg flagship of the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation At
This past weekend, NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, ESPS CRISTOBAL COLON, engaged with the Royal Omani Navy and the European Union Naval Force’s (EUNAVFOR) counter-piracy task force commander (CTF-465) following a port visit to Salalah, Oman. COLON departed Salalah on Saturday 12 April 2014 and con
On 11 April the Force Commander of EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, visited the first ship of his task force since he took over command. The Hellenic frigate HS Psara, which has been part of EU Naval Force since February 2014, is participating i
“All those involved in the replenishment at sea are required at their station”. When this order is broadcast over loudspeakers on board the German tanker FGS Rhön, the seamanship crew reacts quickly by donning their hard hats and safety gear before making final preparations for what is a highly spec
Since Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen assumed force command of the EU Naval Force on Sunday 6 April, he has been very busy ensuring that his flagship, FGS Brandenburg, and the rest of the EU Naval Force warships and maritime patrol aircraft under his command are fully prepared for the important role
On Monday 7 April the German tanker Rhön arrived in the port of Djibouti to join the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta. The tanker under the command of Captain Egon Rhauderwiek will provide regular replenishment support to the EU Naval Force warships and other inter
