Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta
Part of Piracy in Somalia
Operation area of the pirates
Date 2008 – present Location off Somalia, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean
Belligerents
European Union - 23 of 27 member states  Norway  Ukraine  Serbia  Croatia  Montenegro	Somali Pirates
Commanders and leaders
R. Adm. Duncan L. Potts[1], Operation Commander EU Naval Force R. Adm. Christian Canova[1], Deputy Operation Commander EU Naval Force R. Adm. Thomas E.P. Jugel[1], Force Commander EU Naval Force	Unknown
Strength
5–8 Surface vessels, 3 reconnaissance planes, exact number differs from time to time	Unknown

Operation Atalanta (formally European Union Naval Force Somalia) is a current military operation undertaken by the European Union (EU) and the European Union Naval Force. It is part of a larger global action by the EU in the Horn of Africa to deal with the Somali crisis; for example World Food Programme ships food aid to ports in Somalia and Operation Atalanta provides escorts. This part of the effort has been successful as since the start of operation none of the WFP food ships have been attacked.^[2]

Operation Atalanta is the European Union’s first naval operation. This military operation was launched, in accordance with the EU Council Joint Action 2008/851 and EU Council Decision 2008/918, on 8 December 2008. The operation was in support of Resolutions 1814, 1816 and 1838 which were adopted in 2008 by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). To follow were a number of other Resolutions with the most recent being Resolution 1976, adopted by the UNSC on 11 April 2011.

Its mandate is to contribute to:

• The protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia;
• The protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast, and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast;
• In addition, monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.^[2]

Operation Atalanta is linked to the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), a program by EU NAVFOR in response to the thread of shipping through the Gulf of Aden and around the horn of Africa, that monitors the international shipping.^[3]

The operation which was scheduled for an initial period of twelve months (until 13 December 2009) has now been extended by the council until December 2012.^[2] During this period up to 12 EU ships and a number of Maritime Patrol Aircraft will operate at any one time.

As of January 2011 twenty-three EU and four other countries have participated in Operation Atalanta.^[4] Around 2 000 military personnel are involved in the operation.^[4] The operation runs on a yearly budget of some eight million euros.^[2] Operational headquarters is located at Northwood Headquarters in the UK.^[2]

Prelude

The Transitional Federal Government has made some efforts to fight piracy, occasionally allowing foreign naval vessels into Somali territorial waters. Still, such vessels were usually forced to break off when they chased pirates into Somali territorial waters.^[5][6] The government of Puntland has made more progress.^[7]

The Transitional Federal Government wrote to the President of the Council asking for international help to fight piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia. In June 2008, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a declaration authorizing nations that have the agreement of the Transitional Federal Government to enter Somali territorial waters to deal with pirates.^[8] The measure, which was sponsored by France, the United States and Panama, will last six months. France initially wanted the resolution to include other regions with pirate problems, such as West Africa, but were opposed by Vietnam, Libya and most importantly by veto-holding China, who wanted the sovereignty infringement limited to Somalia.^[9]

The operation

On 2 January 2009, one of the Operation's ships captured eight Somalis who were about to board a ship.^[10]

On 18 February 2009, it was reported that Switzerland was considering joining the Operation either by direct troop contribution or other means, such as helicopters or funds.^[11]

Commodore Antonios Papaioannou from the Hellenic Navy became afloat commander of Task Force, reporting to Rear Admiral Jones in Northwood, in early 2009.

On the 14 April, the French frigate Nivôse attached to Operation Atalanta captured 11 suspected pirates together with their mother ship and two skiffs in a EU NAVFOR focused operation carried out in the Indian Ocean. The French ship responded to the distress message by the 21,000 tonne Liberia flagged MV Safmarine Asia which came under small arms and RPG attack from two skiffs operating to a pirate mother ship. The warship deployed its helicopter which quickly arrived on the scene to deter the hijacking and shadow the mother vessel until the frigate arrived.^[12]

From 15 May 2009, the EU Naval Task Force was joined by two Swedish corvettes, tender HMS Trossö, which were transported from Sweden mid-April on the back of a dock ship and arrived in Djibouti 3 weeks later.^[13]

On 26 May 2009, the EU Naval Task Force vessel HMS Malmö responded to a distress call from the European cargo vessel M/V Antonis and apprehended seven suspected pirates.^[14][15]

From 5 to 7 March 2010, mission forces from France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Sweden were in action, with the French frigate Nivôse (F 732) having secured its "biggest seizure" so far in the vital shipping lane, with 35 pirates arrested and four mother ships seized in three days off Somalia.^[16]

In early May, 2010, there were a number of actions in the area. Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov freed the 106,474-ton MV Moscow University carrying crude oil from Sudan to China about 350 miles east of Socotra.^[17] Two days later, though, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had proved impossible to establish the pirates’ citizenship or to establish legal grounds for prosecuting, so the pirates were put back on their boat and set free.^[18] In another action, the Greek warship the Elli captured a high-speed skiff with seven people aboard 50 miles south of Mukalla. In a third action, Swedish aircraft attached to the EU Naval Force, the French warship Lafayette, and the Dutch warship HNLMS Johan de Witt collaborated in the spotting and capture of a pirate action group composed of a whaler and two skiffs about 400 miles northwest of the Seychelles Islands. And two South Korean vessels were attacked, one escaping and one being held about 4 miles off the Somali coast, with a South Korean warship nearby. The report on these actions, citing other news reports, concluded that Somali pirates are currently holding almost 20 vessels and about 300 crew members seized in recent months.^[17] At the 17 December 2010, the number of pirated vessels is 22 and 532 hostages are still in the hands of pirates off the coast of Somalia.

“	In 2010, 72% of pirate attacks have failed, 81% since August. Those results are due to the combination of EUNAVFOR’s action, the application of new concepts of operations, the use, by the maritime community, of systematic security measures on merchant vessels and high-quality cooperation with other naval forces and independent Navies.	”
—EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta, Force Commander Rear Admiral Philippe Coindreau[19]

In December 2010, Estonia became the 26th nation to contribute to Operation Atalanta.^[20] Estonia provided a vessel protection detachment, which initially operated onboard German Frigate FGS Hamburg.^[20] In January 2011 Lithuania provided an officer to the operational headquarters.^[4]

Vessels

The following vessels are part of EU-NAVFOR's current fleet in Operation Atalanta, as of 25 March 2011. Operation Atalanta apparently has the task force designator Task Force 465.^[21]

Country	Vessel	Type
Spain	SPS Canarias[22]	Frigate
Spain	SPS Infanta Elena[23]	Corvette
Italy	ITS Espero[24]	Frigate
Germany	FGS Niedersachsen[25]	Frigate
France	FLF Guépratte[26]	Frigate
France	FASM Montcalm[27]	Frigate
France	FASM Dupleix[28]	Frigate
France	FS Nivôse[29]	Frigate
United Kingdom	HMS Richmond[30]	Frigate

Aircraft

out of date

Country	Aircraft	Type
France	Dassault Falcon 50	Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft
France	E-3F SDCA[31]	AWACS
Spain	P-3A Orion	Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft
Luxembourg	Merlin Fairchild SW3	Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft

Vessels and aircraft in former rotation periods

ITS Maestrale frigate.

The following vessels have, among others, been committed to the Operation as of 25 March 2011.^[32]

• De Zeven Provinciën class frigate HNLMS De Ruyter (F804), Netherlands
• De Zeven Provinciën class frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805), Netherlands^[33]
• Amsterdam class fast combat support ship^[34] HNLMS Amsterdam (A836), Netherlands^[35]
• Rotterdam class amphibious transport dock HNLMS Johan De Witt (L801), Netherlands^[36]
• Karel Doorman class frigate BNS Louise-Marie (F931), Belgium^[37][38]
• Maestrale class frigate ITS Maestrale (F570), Italy
• Maestrale class frigate ITS Libeccio (F572), Italy^[39]
• Maestrale class frigate ITS Zeffiro (F577), Italy^[40][41]
• helicopter cruiser FS Jeanne d'Arc (R97), France^[42]
• Georges Leygues class frigate FASM Jean de Vienne (D643), France
• Georges Leygues class frigate FASM Georges Leygues (D640), France^[42]
• La Fayette class frigate FLF Aconit (F713), France^[43][44]
• La Fayette class frigate FLF Guépratte (F714), France^[45]
• Tourville class frigate FASM De Grasse (D612)^[46]
• Floréal class frigate FS Floréal (F730), France^[47][48]
• Floréal class frigate FS Nivôse (F732), France^[32][49]
• Cassard class frigate FAA Jean Bart (D615), France^[50]
• D'Estienne d'Orves class frigate FS Jacoubet (F794), France^[51][52]
• Santa Maria class frigate SPS Santa Maria (F81), Spain
• Santa Maria class frigate SPS Victoria (F82), Spain^[53]
• Santa Maria class frigate SPS Numancia (F83), Spain
• Santa Maria class frigate SPS Navarra (F85), Spain
• Santa Maria class frigate SPS Canarias (F86), Spain
• Álvaro de Bazán class frigate SPS Blas de Lezo (F103), Spain
• Álvaro de Bazán class frigate SPS Mendez Nuñez (F104), Spain
• Descubierta class corvette SPS Infanta Elena (P76), Spain
• Descubierta class corvette SPS Infanta Cristina (P77), Spain^[54]
• Descubierta class corvette SPS Cazadora (P78), Spain
• Descubierta class corvette SPS Vencedora (P79), Spain^[55]
• Galicia class landing platform dock SPS Galicia (L51), Spain^[56]
• Patiño class replenishment ship^[57] SPS Patiño (A14), Spain^[58][59]
• Brandenburg class frigate FGS Brandenburg (F215), Germany^[60]
• Brandenburg class frigate FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F218), Germany
• Brandenburg class frigate FGS Schleswig-Holstein (F216), Germany^[61]
• Bremen class frigate FGS Rheinland-Pfalz (F209), Germany^[60]
• Bremen class frigate FGS Köln (F211), Germany^[62]
• Sachsen class frigate FGS Hamburg (F220)^[63][64]
• Rhön class tanker FGS Rhön (A1443), Germany^[65]
• NRP Vasco da Gama^[66][67]
• Lockheed P-3 Orion P-3C Papa, Portugal^[68]
• Type 22 class frigate HMS Cumberland (F85), United Kingdom
• Type 23 class frigate HMS Northumberland (F238), United Kingdom
• Greece ^{[69] [70]}
• Greece
• Elli class frigate HS Elli (F450), Greece^[71]
• Elli class frigate HS Adrias (F459), Greece^[72][73]
• Stockholm class corvette HSwMS Stockholm (K11), Sweden
• Stockholm class corvette HSwMS Malmö (K12), Sweden^[74]
• Akademik Shuleykin class auxiliary ship HSwMS Trossö (A264), Sweden
• ocean patrol vessel HSwMS Carlskrona (M04), Sweden^[75]
• Fridtjof Nansen class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310), Norway - (Non EU member contribution)
• Pohjanmaa class minelayer FNS Pohjanmaa, Finland^[76][77]

See also

• Piracy in Somalia
• Maritime Security Patrol Area
• Combined Task Force 151
• Maersk Alabama hijacking

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Chain of Command". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 13 January 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/chain-of-command-2/. Retrieved 15 January 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Mission". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. http://www.eunavfor.eu/about-us/mission/. Retrieved 16 January 2011. 
3. ^ MSCHOA home page
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Lithuania will take part in the EU counterpiracy Operation ATALANTA". Ministry of National Defense Republic of Lithuania. 4 January 2011. http://www.kam.lt/en/news_1098/current_issues/lithuania_will_take_part_in_the_eu_counterpiracy_operation_atalanta.html. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
5. ^ Starr, Barbara (29 October 2007). "U.S. destroyer pursuing hijacked ship in Somali waters, military says". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/10/29/somalia.pirates/index.html. Retrieved 2 May 2010. 
6. ^ Rankin, Nick (11 March 2008). "No vessel is safe from modern pirates". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7280042.stm. Retrieved 3 January 2010. 
7. ^ Hassan, Abdiqani (2008-04-23). "Crew say lucky to be alive after Somali hijack". Reuters Africa. http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL2361753.html. Retrieved 2008-04-25. 
8. ^ United Nations Security Council Verbatim Report meeting 5902 on 2 June 2008 (retrieved 2008-06-03)
9. ^ " Navies to tackle Somali pirates", BBC News, 2 June 2008
10. ^ "France captures 'Somali pirates'", BBC News, 2 January 2009
11. ^ " EU expects Swiss troops for anti-pirate force", Swiss Info, 18 February
12. ^ Maritime Security Centre (EU)
13. ^ Maritime Security Centre (EU)
14. ^ Dagens Nyheter Video
15. ^ The Local: Swedish navy arrests pirates off Somali coast
16. ^ "European naval forces capture more pirates". Independent Online (South Africa). 09 Mar 2010. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=87&art_id=nw20100309020612247C690576. Retrieved 09 Mar 2010. "Six pirate action groups have been intercepted, mother ships and skiffs have been destroyed and over 40 pirates have been taken into custody" 
17. ^ ^{a b} "Russian Destroyer Frees Hijacked Oil Tanker" by Alan Cowell with reporting by Mark McDonald from Hong Kong, The New York Times, May 6, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-06. An EU-NAVFOR press release on the Russian action was cited in the article.
18. ^ "Russia Frees Somali Pirates It Had Seized in Shootout" by Ellen Barry, The New York Times, May 7, 2010 (May 8, 2010 on p. A4 of the NY ed.). Retrieved 2010-05-10.
19. ^ "EUNAVFOR Force Headquarters handover ceremony". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 15 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-force-headquarters-handover-ceremony/. Retrieved 16 January 2011. 
20. ^ ^{a b} "Estonia becomes the 26th nation to contribute to EUNAVFOR – Operation ATALANTA". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 6 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/estonia-becomes-the-26th-nation-to-contribute-to-eunavfor-%E2%80%93-operation-atalanta/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
21. ^ United Nations, S/2010/91, p.71
22. ^ "EUNAVFOR welcomes the Spanish frigate CANARIAS to the mission". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 30 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-welcomes-the-spanish-frigate-canarias-to-the-mission/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
23. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the Spanish Patrol Vessel INFANTA ELENA". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 28 February 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/02/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-spanish-patrol-vessel-infanta-elena/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
24. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the Italian Frigate ESPERO". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 28 February 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/02/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-italian-frigate-espero/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
25. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the German Frigate FGS NIEDERSACHSEN". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 14 March 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/03/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-german-frigate-fgs-niedersachsen/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
26. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the French Frigate GUEPRATTE". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 7 February 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/02/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-french-frigate-guepratte/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
27. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the French destroyer MONTCALM to the mission". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 29 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-french-destroyer-montcalm-to-the-mission/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
28. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes French frigate FASM DUPLEIX". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 6 August 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/03/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-french-frigate-nivose/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
29. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the French Frigate NIVOSE". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 4 March 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/03/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-german-frigate-fgs-niedersachsen/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
30. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the Royal Navy Frigate HMS RICHMOND". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 31 January 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/01/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-royal-navy-frigate-hms-richmond/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
31. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes a French E-3F SDCA into the Force". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 19 November 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/11/eu-navfor-welcomes-a-french-e-3f-sdca-into-the-force/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
32. ^ ^{a b} "L'opération Atalanta". LePoint.fr. http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/2008-12-05/l-operation-atalanta/1648/0/297431. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
33. ^ "EU NAVFOR meets Omani Authorities". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 23 November 2009. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2009/11/eunavfor-meets-omani-authorities/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
34. ^ "USS Doyle, HMNLS Amsterdam Conduct Passing Exercise". US Navy. 3 September 2009. http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48101. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
35. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks HLMNS AMSTERDAM after more than 2 months of operations". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 19 November 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/11/eu-navfor-thanks-hlmns-amsterdam-after-more-than-2-months-of-operations/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
36. ^ "Dutch LPD-ship JOHAN DE WITT was a true Force multiplier for EU NAVFOR". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 1 July 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/07/dutch-lpd-ship-johan-de-witt-was-a-true-force-multiplier-for-eu-navfor/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
37. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the Belgium frigate BNS LOUISE-MARIE". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 20 October 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/10/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-belgium-frigate-bns-louise-marie/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
38. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks BNS LOUISE-MARIE after three months of operation". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 24 January 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/01/eu-navfor-thanks-bns-louise-marie-after-three-months-of-operation/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
39. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks ITS LIBECCIO after 125 days in Operation ATALANTA". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 1 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eu-navfor-thanks-its-libeccio-after-125-days-in-operation-atalanta/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
40. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the Italian warship ITS ZEFFIRO". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 3 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-italian-warship-its-zeffiro/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
41. ^ "Italian frigate ZEFFIRO leaves EU NAVFOR after two months of valuable contribution". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 28 February 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/02/italian-frigate-zeffiro-leaves-eu-navfor-after-two-months-of-valuable-contribution/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
42. ^ ^{a b} (French) Journaux de bord - Marine nationale
43. ^ "EUNAVFOR welcomes the French frigate ACONIT". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 6 January 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/01/eunavfor-welcomes-the-french-frigate-aconit/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
44. ^ "French frigate ACONIT leaves EU NAVFOR after one month of outstanding performance". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 7 February 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/02/french-frigate-aconit-leaves-eu-navfor-after-one-month-of-outstanding-performance/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
45. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks FS GUÉPRATTE after two months: “Always proactive” says Force Commander". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 26 July 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/07/eu-navfor-thanks-fs-guepratte-after-two-months-%E2%80%9Calways-proactive%E2%80%9D-says-force-commander/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
46. ^ "EUNAVFOR thanks French warship FS DE GRASSE after 4 months of operations". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 14 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-thanks-french-warship-fs-de-grasse-after-4-months-of-operations/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
47. ^ "Warship Floréal captures suspected pirates". European Comission. http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/services/showShotlist.do?out=PDF&lg=En&filmRef=61645. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
48. ^ "EUNAVFOR thanks FS FLOREAL after three and a half months of operation". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 21 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-thanks-fs-floreal-after-three-and-a-half-months-of-operation-2/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
49. ^ "French Frigate NIVÔSE departs EU NAVFOR Task Force after a four month deployment". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 7 June 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/06/french-frigate-nivose-departs-eu-navfor-task-force-after-a-four-month-deployment/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
50. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks French frigate Jean Bart: “Successfully accomplished mission”". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 1 August 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/08/eu-navfor-thanks-french-frigate-jean-bart/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
51. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the French warship FS JACOUBET". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 13 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-french-warship-fs-jacoubet/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
52. ^ "EUNAVFOR thanks FS JACOUBET after one month of operation". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 24 January 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/01/eunavfor-thanks-fs-jacoubet-after-one-month-of-operation/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
53. ^ "Spanish frigate VICTORIA leaves EU NAVFOR after four months of excellent service". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 9 August 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/08/spanish-frigate-victoria-leaves-eu-navfor-after-four-months-of-excellent-service/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
54. ^ "EUNAVFOR thanks SPS INFANTA CRISTINA". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 9 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-thanks-sps-infanta-cristina/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
55. ^ "Spanish OPV Vencedora contributed outstandingly to EU NAVFOR with 85 percent of time on main task". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 29 May 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/05/spanish-opv-vencedora-contributed-outstandingly-to-eu-navfor-with-85-percent-of-time-on-main-task/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
56. ^ "The Spanish warship SPS GALICIA leaves EU NAVFOR mission after 82 days on operations". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 21 November 2010. 
57. ^ "Patino Class Auxiliary Oiler and Replenishment Ship". Naval-technology.com. 9 December 2010. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/patino/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
58. ^ "EUNAVFOR welcomes the Spanish Combat Replenishment Ship SPS PATINO". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 9 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-welcomes-the-spanish-combat-replenishment-ship-sps-patino/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
59. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks SPS PATIÑO after one and a half months of operation". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 24 January 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/01/eu-navfor-thanks-sps-patino-after-one-and-a-half-months-of-operation/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
60. ^ ^{a b} "EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG leads HANSA STAVANGER safely into Mombasa". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 18 August 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2009/08/eu-navfor-ship-brandenburg-leads-hansa-stavanger-safely-into-mombasa/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
61. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks the German frigate FGS SCHLESWIG HOLSTEIN". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 20 September 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/09/eu-navfor-thanks-the-german-frigate-fgs-schleswig-holstein/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
62. ^ "The German warship FGS KOELN leaves EU NAVFOR after more than 2 months on operation". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 25 November 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/11/the-german-warship-fgs-koeln-leaves-eu-navfor-after-more-than-2-months-on-operation/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
63. ^ "EU NAVFOR welcomes the German frigate FGS HAMBURG to the Mission". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 22 November 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/11/eu-navfor-welcomes-the-german-frigate-fgs-hamburg-to-the-mission/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
64. ^ "German frigate FGS HAMBURG leaves EU NAVFOR after four months of valuable contribution". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 21 March 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/03/german-frigate-fgs-hamburg-leaves-eu-navfor-after-four-months-of-valuable-contribution/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
65. ^ "EU NAVFOR German warship FGS RHOEN leaves EU NAVFOR after 102 days of operation". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 1 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eu-navfor-german-warship-fgs-rhoen-leaves-eu-navfor-after-102-days-of-operation/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
66. ^ http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/04/portuguese-take-command-of-eu-navfor-counter-piracy-taskforce/
67. ^ http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/05/eu-navfor-flagship-npr-vasco-da-gama-assists-the-seychelles-coast-guard/
68. ^ "EU NAVFOR thanks Portuguese Maritime Patrol Aircraft Detachment". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 23 August 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/08/eu-navfor-thanks-portuguese-maritime-patrol-aircraft-detachment/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
69. ^ "Pirates release Greek Crude Oil Tanker M/V Maran Centaurus". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 18 January 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/01/pirates-release-greek-crude-oil-tanker-mv-maran-centaurus/. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
70. ^ "Bulk Carrier Filitsa released by pirates". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 1 February 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/02/bulk-carrier-filitsa-released-by-pirates/. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
71. ^ "EU NAVFOR warship HS ELLI conducts her final tasks". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 9 August 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/08/eu-navfor-warship-hs-elli-conducts-her-final-tasks/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
72. ^ "EUNAVFOR thanks HS ADRIAS". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 15 December 2010. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2010/12/eunavfor-thanks-hs-adrias/. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
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76. ^ "Finnish Navy Ship POHJANMAA joins operation Atalanta". EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office. 31 January 2011. http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/01/finnish-navy-ship-pohjanmaa-joins-operation-atalanta/. Retrieved 25 March 2011. 
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External links

• European Union Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta
• Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa