The United States Navy in Operation Atalanta-1

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Besides conducting a variety of missions like training, maneuvers, and joint exercises with its global partners, the U.S. Navy also actively supports the European Naval Force’s Operation Atalanta.

This partnership is a demonstration of the United States’ broad commitment to international maritime security and cooperation.  

It simultaneously ensures:

·         The protection of global commerce;

·         Enforcement of international law;

·         The security and stability of the international waters;

·         And the enhancement of maritime capabilities of its global partners.

 

ITS-Carabiniere-approaching-the-USNS-Laramie-for-RAS December 2015 EU NAVFOR

One of the U.S main vessels in supporting the Operation Atalanta is the USNS Laramie. Equipped with chopper deck, the gigantic U.S Naval ‘Laramie’ is a Military Sealift Command Replenishment Oiler of HENRY J. KAISER Class, launched in 1995.

Since then, the ship has been on long-haul missions across the globe. From the Pacific to the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Aden, it has provided vital support to U.S. and European naval forces, including aircraft carriers, frigates, and patrol ships.

As a part of this ongoing Operational Support and the Replenishment at Sea, the USNS Laramie met in a close contact with the Operation Atalanta’s new Flagship, HNLMS Tromp  of the Royal Netherlands Navy on August 8th  2016, in the Atalanta’s Operational field, the Gulf of Aden.

The EU NAVFOR Operational Force Commander, Commodore Luyckx was welcomed for a visit by the Commanding Officer of U.S Naval Replenishment Vessel, Captain William Wiggins.

 

Follow us on the next episode:

The United States Navy in Operation Atalanta-2

 

Official references of the recent time:

  1. United States Navy Supply Ship Supports Operation Atalanta With A Combined Replenishment At Sea
  2. US Supply Ship USNS Laramie Supports Operation Atalanta off the Coast of Somalia
  3. US Navy Ship Supports EU Naval Force  Ships Off The Coast Of Somalia
  4. EU Naval Force Warship ESPS Infanta Cristina Carries out Replenishment at Sea with Supply Ship USNS Laramie
  5. EU Naval Force Warship ESPS Navarra has carried out Replenishment at sea (RAS) with re-supply tankers, including the US logistical ship USNS Laramie

 

Acknowledgments. Sources: U.S Navy, EUNAVFOR. Image-1 U.S Naval Replenishment Ship ‘USNS Laramie’ (center) off the Coast of Somalia,  supporting Operation Atalanta. December 17, 2015 © EU NAVFOR. Article by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt (Copyrighted material)