The frigate “Méndez Núñez” finishes its 2019 Operational Deployment

·         The Commander of the Operations Command has crossed the Panama Canal together with the crew

The frigate “Méndez Núñez” has finished its 2019 Operational Deployment in Panama, under the command of the Commander of the Operations Command (CMOPS in Spanish). On 3^rd November, the ship docked in Balboa (Panama) for a short time, to guarantee the right to vote to its crew and to conduct logistic and Defence Diplomacy actions.

Due to the termination of the mission, CMOPS, responsible of all the Spanish Armed Forces´ contingents and units in operations, has been on board the frigate to congratulate the crew for their work. He has also shared with the naval officers the passage through the Panama Canal.

After nearly seven months of deployment, the frigate “Méndez Núñez” and its crew have sailed 46.900 nautical miles, conducting naval operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Red sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian sea, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Pacific Ocean. It has collaborated with naval and air units from the United States, France, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Chile, and it has visited 15 ports from 11 different countries.

Thanks to its work, Spain has enhanced its image in remote locations, by supporting the defence diplomacy and national industry, contributing to maritime space security and commemorating the 5^th Centenary of the first round-the-world tour. After crossing the Panama Canal, and under the command of the Navy, the frigate will return back to is Naval Base in Ferrol, after making a stopover in Norfolk.