Awarding of decorations to the personnel of the 49th contingent of the Tactical Air Detachment 'Orion'

• They have been awarded the Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal.

A ceremony was held to award medals and certificates to the personnel of the 49th Contingent of the Tactical Air Detachment 'Orion' following accreditation of fulfilment of all requirements as a participating force in EUNAVFOR 'Operation Atalanta'..

The ceremony was presided over by Commander Juan Carlos Peñas Carvajal, Head of the 'Orion', accompanied by the Head of the European Union Support Element 'Atalanta', Commander Ebert Licata.

The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal were awarded to Air and Space Force personnel who had participated in the operation for the first time. Diplomas were also awarded to personnel previously deployed as part of ‘Operation Atlanta’, all of whom have completed the required time of service in the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean.    

After the awards were presented, the force commander of the 'Orion' pronounced a speech in which he highlighted the effort, dedication and outstanding fulfilment of the mission entrusted to the Spanish contingent during the monsoon period.

Subsequently, the soldiers of the 49th contingent sang the Air and Space Force anthem as a gesture of pride for all the airmen deployed to Djibouti.       Yibuti.