It’s not every day that passengers on board a civilian cruise liner would get so close to a warship on operations that they could wave to each other, but this is just what happened last week when the German cruise liner, AIDAdiva, with over 2,000 passengers on board, met German frigate FGS Hessen at
Ahead of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the European Union in Brussels, a significant naval exercise has taken place in the Gulf of Aden to demonstrate the growing cooperation between the EU and China on issues of international security and defence. EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco and FGS Hess
On Wednesday 26 March 2014, European Union Ambassadors met with the President of Puntland, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and his Cabinet on board the French EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, to discuss key issues related to political, security and development cooperation, and to participate in a speci
On Tuesday 18 March, three EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Relampago gathered in the Gulf of Aden for a joint replenishment at sea (RAS) with the American logistics ship, USNS Pecos from Task Force 53. Ships from Task Force 53 provide regular replenishment support to the Euro
One of the key elements of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy operation in the waters of the Horn of Africa is the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). These long-range, capable aircraft conduct aerial patrols over the sea areas where pirates are known to operate and can provide earl
HMAS Darwin has seized and destroyed more than three tonnes of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of $137 million dollars. The drugs were found hidden aboard a skiff in the Gulf of Aden on 16 March 2014. HMAS Darwin is currently deployed on patrol under the control of the Combined Marit
During the last week, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta warships FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado have carried out several ‘Friendly Approaches’ in the Gulf of Aden. In addition to patrols in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocea
Russia Sinks Ship to Block Ukrainian Navy Ships The Russian Navy Ochakov Kara-class cruiser was sunk last night to block the Ukrainian Navy ships deployed in Novoozerne, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said in a press release today. The information was confirmed by the Ukrainian military of the So
A recent Operation Atalanta medal parade held in Djibouti marked the end of the Serbian Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments (AVPD) tenure with the EU Naval Force. The Operation Atalanta medal parade was conducted by the Officer in Charge of the Djibouti Support Element Atalanta (SEA) Commande
Ukrainian Frigate Hetman Sahaidachny Heads Home Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny has successfully completed an operational tour with the EU Naval Force and is now sailing towards her home port of Sevastopol in the Ukraine. USS Taylor’s Commander Relieved of Duties Capt. Jim Aiken, commander, Tas
On Wednesday 26 February 2014, German Navy frigate, FGS Hessen which is operating as part of the EU Naval Force, and South Korean destroyer, Kang Gam Chan, met up in the Gulf of Aden to carry out a joint exercise. Both warships are currently conducting counter-piracy operations. The counter-piracy
During their recent 3-day port visit to Mombasa, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean, paid a visit to Kenyan military and civilian authorities. The following day he visited the Mombasa Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Information Sharing Centr
On Tuesday 18 February, after the EU Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, arrived in Mombasa for a port visit, the French warship’s commanding officer, Captain Jean-Marc Le Quilliec officially delivered diplomas to members of the Mauritians Coast Guard who had completed their training course at sea. T
On Monday 17 February, during a ‘friendly approach’ with local seafarers, the medical team from German Navy frigate FGS Hessen, was able to provide eight local Somalia fishermen with medical examinations and some dental treatment. The offer of medical help to the local fishing community was initia
