Handover of contingents from the Orion Tactical Air Detachment in Operation Atalanta

• With the arrival of the inter-monsoon period, the D4 aircraft returns to the area of operations to carry out maritime security operations in the Horn of Africa

 Contingents 55 and 56 of the Orion Tactical Air Detachment (DAT), participating in the European Union's Operation Atalanta, have been replaced at their deployment base in Djibouti. The handover ceremony was presided over by Colonel Rafael Martos Villarino, Head of the Information Systems and Telecommunications Area (J6) of the Operations Command, representing the Commander of the Operations Command (CMOPS). It was also attended by civilian and military representatives from different countries, as well as the Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation in Djibouti, Krystian Spodaryk.

In addition, Colonel Bayardo Abós Álvarez-Buiza, Chief Colonel of Wing 46, the Air and Space Force unit to which the incoming crew belongs, also attended. With the arrival of the inter-monsoon period, the D4 aircraft returns to the area of operations, where it will carry out maritime surveillance tasks in support of the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean.

At this military ceremony, the outgoing contingent commander, Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Pelegrina Tamayo, handed over command to Lieutenant Colonel Francisco José Moreno Chaves. This marked the end of the mission of the 55th contingent of DAT Orion, which, for three and a half months, had carried out all the support tasks associated with the mission: “It has been an honour to lead this team of 15 military personnel, whom I deeply thank for their dedication and commitment from day one. We have faced various challenges, overcome them together and achieved every goal we set ourselves. From national territory, the support of the Operations Command has been fundamental to the success of the mission, as has the support provided by the Air Combat Command (MACOM). Finally, I would like to highlight our excellent relations with other countries deployed in Djibouti," said Lieutenant Colonel Pelegrina.

With this replacement, the DAT Orion underscores Spain's commitment to international maritime security and the fight against piracy in the western Indian Ocean. In addition, its presence contributes directly to the protection of United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) vessels and other vulnerable ships transiting the area.

Since the launch of Operation Atalanta in 2008, Spain has maintained a permanent presence and is the only member state of the European Union with an uninterrupted presence, reaffirming—with each rotation of the naval and air contingent—its commitment to regional stability and the security of international maritime routes.

Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta is the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted following the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean since 2005. and, with the strong support of Spain. Atalanta became—by decision of the Council of the EU in November 2008—the first European Union naval operation to be conducted within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

At the end of 2024, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until 28 February 2027, reflecting the achievements made and the challenges for the future. During this period, the area of operations has been expanded in 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, and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.

Spain currently contributes to Operation Atalanta with naval assets, mainly a frigate or warship as well as air assets. During the inter-monsoon periods, it deploys a maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT Orion) in Djibouti, among other units. All of this demonstrates Spain's commitment to security in the region. Spain has been the only European Union country to participate continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch.