Head of ‘Operation Atalanta’ visits ‘Orion’ detachment

•  El Force Commander visitó las instalaciones de la base y recibió una explicación sobre la organización del destacamento y el trabajo del centro de apoyo. Además, realizó una misión de vuelo en el Delta 4

The Spanish military of the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT in Spanish) ‘Orion’, deployed at the Djibouti base, have received a visit from Rear Admiral Armando Pereira da Costa Valente Tinoco, of the Portuguese Navy, Force Commander of Operation Atalanta.

Lieutenant Colonel Pérez Cabrera, head of DAT ‘Orión’, accompanied Rear Admiral Pereira da Costa, who greeted the heads of the different sections. Later, he visited the base facilities and received a detailed explanation of the organisation of the detachment and the work of the support centre. He also carried out a flight mission aboard Delta 4.

This visit, during which Rear Admiral Pereira da Costa was also accompanied by personnel from his General Staff, allowed him to learn first-hand about the operational capabilities of the DAT ‘Orion’, as well as the different systems used to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions within the framework of ‘Operation Atalanta’.

In this regard, the Force Commander highlighted the contribution of the Spanish aerial assets to the fight against piracy and illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean, as well as its flexibility in mission planning.

Furthermore, Rear Admiral Pereira da Costa acknowledged the work of the detachment which, for the past 16 years, has permanently contributed to ‘Operation Atalanta’, demonstrating Spain's commitment to maritime security in the region.

The ‘Operation Atalanta’ Operational Headquarters (OHQ), currently under Portuguese command, is embarked on the Spanish frigate ‘Santa Maria’.

‘Operation Atalanta’

Operation Atalanta was the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted after the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005 onwards, and, with Spain's strong support, it became the first EU naval operation to be carried out under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

At the end of 2022, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until December 2024, reflecting both the achievements made and the challenges for the future. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been expanded under successive mandates and currently covers the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Since 29 March 2019, after taking over from the United Kingdom, Spain has been leading the operation from Operational Headquarters (OHQ), located at the Rota Naval Base (Cádiz). Since 23 November 2023, after his appointment by the EU Council, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano has been the commander of Operation Atalanta.

Currently, under the operational control of the Operations Command, Spain is contributing to Operation Atalanta with approximately 350 military personnel, as well as the following assets and units:

·         The Operation Headquarters, OHQ, at the Rota naval base.

·         One frigate/ warship.

·         An embarked helicopter.

·         An embarked special operations team.

·         One maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT ‘Orion’) in Djibouti.

·         Liaison offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).

·         Operation Logistics Support Unit deployed in Djibouti (Djibouti).

As a demonstration of our commitment to the security of the region, Spain has been the only European Union country to have participated continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago. In this context, the ‘Orion’ detachment contributes to the goal of this European military operation: to provide surveillance and deterrence against piracy and illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean, as well as to collaborate in the protection of World Food Programme ships.