The Victoria begins patrols as the flagship of Operation Atalanta

•  The Spanish frigate has begun her maritime surveillance and anti-piracy duties, as well as reconnaissance flights and visits to the local fishing community to provide security

The frigate Victoria (F-82) has carried out her first patrols in the Indian Ocean, specifically in the Gulf of Aden, as the flagship of Operation Atalanta, after taking over from the frigate Navarra.

Thus, the Navy ship, with a Portuguese General  on board, has begun her maritime surveillance and piracy prevention duties off the northern coast of Somalia. It has also already carried out its first surveillance and reconnaissance flights with her two organic aircraft, an SH-60B helicopter and a Scan Eagle drone. In addition, the Visit and Search Unit (TVR) has completed its first courtesy visit (Friendly Approach) to an Iranian fishing vessel, with the aim of strengthening ties and providing security to the local maritime community.

Since leaving the naval base in Rota at the end of September, in response to Operation Atalanta, and during her transit to the Suez Canal, it has focused her efforts on ensuring security against threats in the Red Sea.

During its voyage through the Mediterranean, the frigate took advantage of her logistical stopover at the Souda naval base to conduct training for her Boarding Team in boarding and search techniques and procedures. This training took place at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Centre (NMIOTC), located in this city on the island of Crete (Greece).

After completing this activity, Commander Fernández de Navarrete, in command of the frigate, stated that ‘after months of preparation, we are ready to carry out our tasks in Operation Atalanta’.

The handover with the frigate “Navarra” took place in the port of Djibouti and was presided over by Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero Martínez, commander of the Operations Command. During the military ceremony, General Agüero encouraged the crew to carry out their mission with pride and responsibility.

This handover coincided with the celebration of National Day, so a reception and mass were held on board, attended by the Spanish community in Djibouti; the operational commander of Operation Atalanta, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano; and the Spanish ambassador to Djibouti, Guillermo Antonio López Mac-Lellan. ‘There is no better way to start this mission and to convey our enthusiasm for the coming months than to be supported by our commanders, and to do so on our National Day,’ said Commander Fernández de Navarrete.