The crew of the frigate 'Méndez Núñez' pays tribute to the fallen

• During the celebration of Armed Forces Day, all those who lost their lives at sea in the line of duty aboard Navy vessels were remembered

Since recently departing the port of Salalah (Oman), the frigate Méndez Núñez (F-104) has been sailing in the Indian Ocean as part of the British-led Highmast deployment as part of the British naval air group (CSG) of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. In this context, the Spanish frigate held a tribute to the fallen on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.

In a solemn ceremony on the deck of the Méndez Núñez, its crew remembered all those who, in the line of duty, gave their lives at sea while serving Spain on board Navy ships. With the crew lined up on the quarterdeck, a moving tribute was paid to the fallen with a floral offering, followed by a prayer service and a rifle salute from the honor squadron. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Navy anthem.

The frigate `Mendez Nuñez´ in the British Battle Group

At the end of April, the Spanish frigate joined the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales Battle Group—known as Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 25. Since leaving the Ferrol Arsenal, a series of activities have begun to achieve full interoperability within this international group. During the first days of sailing, all ships secured the communications and command and control networks necessary for coordinated work, allowing naval units from the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, and Spain to operate together.

The group is currently sailing in the waters of the Indian Ocean and is immersed in the next phase of its deployment, where units from friendly nations will be incorporated as it sails eastward. During this deployment, the Méndez Núñez continues to contribute its capabilities to the defense of the naval air group, demonstrating daily the professionalism of its crew and its constant availability.

During its seven-week voyage, the frigate Méndez Núñez has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, aboard the Highmast with the rest of the allied ships, until reaching the Indo-Pacific area of ​​operations, where it will sail until approximately the end of August. It will then begin its return to Spain as scheduled.

Nevertheless, participation in this Battle Group has posed a logistical and operational challenge for the frigate Méndez Núñez and its crew, but above all, it is an opportunity to demonstrate Spain's technological capability and independence, the ability of our Armed Forces to deploy to different geographical areas, and to reaffirm our commitment to maritime security and global stability.