Frigate Navarra participates in the second phase of the Vandal II exercise of Operation Atalanta

• The SH60-B helicopter and the Special Naval Warfare Force have landed on the coast of Mogadishu to reconnoitre points of interest to the European Union

The frigate Navarra, flagship of Operation Atalanta, has participated in the second phase of Exercise Vandal II, in which the ship's SH60-B helicopter, together with the Estol IV unit of the Special Naval Warfare Force, have reconnoitred various points of interest in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

This activity is particularly significant, as these locations may become future scenarios for joint operations, such as medical evacuations to the frigate's Role 2F, or infiltration and extraction of civilian and military personnel from the various missions deployed by the European Union in the city.

The crew of the SH60-B has verified various landing points in areas and facilities located on the Somali coast, while the Naval Special Warfare Force's Estol IV has conducted reconnaissance of several landing points (RECCE).

These reconnaissance missions of beaches and landing areas are an inherent capability of the Naval Special Warfare Force (FGNE). These are operational actions that can be carried out from helicopters or aircraft, as well as from the sea, as this special operations unit has highly qualified combat divers.

The Vandal II exercise is part of the joint activities between the European Union's Operation Atalanta and the European institutions present in Somalia.

Frigate Navarra in Atalanta

Frigate Navarra, commanded by Commander Valentín Calvar Cerecedo, joined Operation Atalanta on 11 June, after relieving the frigate Reina Sofía in Djibouti.

As part of the Spanish Navy's 41st Escort Squadron, the Navarra is based in Rota, Cádiz. Last year, she celebrated 30 years of service in the Navy, and this is the sixth time she has been deployed as part of the European anti-piracy operation.

More than 220 people are on board, including a Shipborne Air Unit (with an SH-60B helicopter and a SCAN EAGLE unmanned vehicle); a Marine Corps Security Operations Team; and members of the operation's General Staff, under the command of Rear Admiral Vázquez.

As a sign of our commitment to security in the region, Spain has been the only European Union country to participate continuously in Operation Atalanta since it was launched 16 years ago.