Recognition of the 41st Navy squadron for its participation in 'Operation Atalanta'

• This is the second EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta roundel to be awarded to a Spanish unit

The Commander of the EUNAVFOR Operation - 'Operation Atalanta', Vice Admiral José María Núñez Torrente, has presented an EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta roundel to the Commander of the 41st Escort Squadron of the Navy, Captain Isidro Carrara Navas, on the occasion of the successful participation in this European Union operation. The presentation ceremony took place on the flight deck of the frigate 'Canarias', at the Rota Naval Base where the 41st Squadron is based.

During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Núñez Torrente thanked the men and women of the different crews of the frigates that make up the 41st Squadron for their extraordinary work in support of the Operation during the more than 14 years of its existence. 'The ships of the 41st Escort Squadron and their crews have become a permanent fixture in the Indian Ocean, not to protect the interests of a particular country, but as a banner and spearhead of a greater endeavour, which transcends time and borders', said the Commander of the Operation in his speech.

Since 2009, the 41st Navy Escort Squadron has been the squadron with the most participations: 24 in the area of operations, more than 3,000 mission days, of which 2,450 have been at sea, more than 600,000 nautical miles sailed, being the flagship of the Operation on 12 occasions.

This is the second EUNAVFOR roundel that the Commander of Operation Atalanta has awarded to Spanish units that have taken place in the operation for their extraordinary participation. On 13 January last, the first roundel was presented to the 22nd Air and Space Army Group, at the Morón Air Base, for the fundamental contribution of the P-3 ORION Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, on the occasion of its decommissioning.