At the end of July on the 29 in the UK HQ Office of the European Naval Force OP. Atalanta, Rear Admiral Cristobal Gonzalez-Aller from Spanish Navy assumed the leadership of Deputy Operation Commander from Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrom of Swedish Navy.
Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrom has been the Deputy Operation Commander European Union Naval Force Somalia since January 2016. His outstanding leadership during his term covered the entire aspects of the OP Atalanta and the enhancement of the Maritime Security off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean.
Rear Admiral Jonas Wikstrom of Swedish Navy (left) and Rear Admiral Cristobal Gonzalez-Aller of Spanish Navy (right) July 29, 2016 © EU NAVFOR
“It has been a privilege to serve with Operation Atalanta and to meet the Sailors, Marines and Airmen who are working tirelessly on a daily basis to ensure that the humanitarian aid destined for the Somali people, as well as Vessels carrying goods to and from Europe, arrive at their destination safely. I wish Rear Admiral Gonzalez-Aller and the rest of the Operation Atalanta team the very best of luck – stay steady!” Expressed Rear Admiral Wikstrom. July 29, 2016 © EU NAVFOR
By Catherine Stella Schmidt
On August 6, in the Naval ceremony Royal Netherlands Navy assumed the Force Command of the Operation Atalanta from German Navy.
Commodore Luyckx of Royal Netherlands Navy (right) Rear Admiral González-Aller Lacalle of Spanish Navy (centre) and Rear Admiral Kaack of German Navy (left) during the handover Command ceremony. August 6, 2016 © EU NAVFOR
The Royal Dutch Air Defence and Command Frigate HNLMS Tromp equipped with NH90 Chopper, will be for the next approximately four months the Flagship of Operation Atalanta, the HQ of Force Commander Commodore René Luyckx, and his crew added with 10 other European State’s personnel and several EU partners in the Counter-Piracy Operation.
“The EU Naval Force, in co-operation with counter-piracy partners, has been highly effective in reducing pirate attacks. At the height of Somali piracy in January 2011, 736 hostages and 32 Ships were being held by Pirates. As of May 2015, no Merchant Vessels are being held in captivity.” Elaborated the new Force Commander Commodore René Luyckx of Royal Netherlands Navy. Djibouti, August 6 2016 © EU NAVFOR
This is the second time that Commodore René Luyckx leads the Operation. In May 2015 he was the Commanding Officer of HNLMS Johan de Witt in Operation Atalanta.
His current Flagship HNLMS Tromp of Royal Netherlands Navy, does also conjure up….. a well-known tale of a Ship, and the electrifying hostage Rescuing Operation…….. by the Dutch Marines …. in the chapters of the European Union’s Naval Operation Atalanta.
It was in the early hours of April 5 2010, in the abruptly hijacking situation the MV Taipan (German owned container Ship) and its crew were taken hostage by a group of Armed Pirates. The unclassified correspondence of European Naval Force indicates that as the negotiation attempts with the Pirates did not bring a positive result, the HNLMS Tromp launched an offensive course, by authorizing its Dutch Marines to a swift Disrupt….., Boarding, …. and Rescue Operation….. which ended in …..seizing the Vessel ……and rescuing the hostages unharmed. The Armed-Pirates were rounded up and captured…….later transported to the Netherlands for the trial.
News from EU NAVAL Force in Operation Atalanta
News from Royal Netherlands Navy
The second image Dutch Marine Boarding Team during its previous six months Mission in the OP. Atalanta. June 2015 courtesy of EU NAVFOR. Source: EU NAVFOR
Addition: Royal Netherlands Navy in Operation Atalanta-1
By Editor in Chief (Copy-Righted Material)
The German Navy under Command of Rear Admiral Jan Kaack, with its Flagship FGS Bayern has completed its Mission in the Counter-Piracy ‘Operation Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. From this week the Operation will be under the Command of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Rear Admiral Kaack and Commodore Luyckx (Royal Netherlands Navy) on board of FGS Bayern. August 6, 2016 © EU NAVFOR
During this Operational period of five months at Sea, among many other striking success of Force Commander Rear Admiral Jan Kaack, it can yet further be highlighted the Rear Admiral’s achievements:
• To form a closer cooperation between the EU NAVFOR and the national local authority in Somalia and the Region
• To expand the Collective Partnership of European Naval Forces in the Operation and strengthen their Interoperability and Joint Efforts.
• To increase the cooperation between the EU NAVFOR and other International Partners
• To enlighten further and increase the awareness of the EU Diplomatic Missions in the Region about the entire aspects of Operation Atalanta, its past success and the importance of its continuation
Special: Interview with the Force Commander in Operation ATALANTA
Additional: Operation Atalanta Sailors Remember the Fallen of WW1 During Port Visit to Dar Es Salaam
News from EU NAVAL Force in Operation Atalanta
News from German NAVY News from Royal Netherlands Navy
News from UK Royal NAVY
In November 2015, the United Kingdom reaffirmed its leading role in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) with the participation of 10,000 Troops from: Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Norway.
The Joint Expeditionary Force is combined of a highly trained Military personnel to be Deployed at a short notice, for countering a wide range of International crisis, with Combat Power, Conventional Deterrence and Humanitarian Assistance. Described by the UK MoD.
“We are Stronger together and have agreed to attach Forces to the JEF when the time is right. The Force will allow the UK and our Allies to share knowledge, skills and resources, and will mean we can deliver a rapidly deployable, flexible and integrated joint Force.” explained Defence Secretary Michael Fallon November 30, 2015 © UK M0D
On July 29 of this year, the UK-led High-Readiness Force commenced its inaugural high level training with the ‘Exercise Joint Venture’ in the Cornwall/UK. The Exercise aimed to enhance the Joint Expeditionary Force with a new Training and sharing of Land, Air and Sea skills and capabilities with the Armed-Forces from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.
“Exercise Joint Venture has been a significant milestone in the delivery of the Joint Expeditionary Force. The Standing Joint Force Headquarters is proving new ground, in the way the UK and Coalition Partners are able to deliver real and concerted Military effect in a complex and ever-changing World. I look forward to the Standing Joint Force Headquarters playing its part in bringing the Joint Expeditionary Force to full operating capability by the end of 2018.” Stated Major General Stuart Skeates. July 29, 2016 © UK M0D
UK Flag courtesy of U.S European Command
On July 14, Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen visited Danish Troops stationed in Afghanistan in the NATO Mission. Minister Jensen highlighted the occasion of his visit had been, first of all to say thank you to all Danish Troops serving in the NATO Resolute Support. And also to assess the situation in Afghanistan directly.
Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen with the Danish Troops in NATO Resolute Support in Afghanistan. July 14, 2016 © MFA of Denmark
Denmark is one of the main Troops and Financial contributors to Afghanistan from ISAF Mission to NATO’s Resolute Support. In Mai 2016 Danish Parliament ratified the Government’s plan on strengthening Danish Contingent in NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and the increase of the Financial aids continuing throughout 2020.
Additional: Denmark will bolster its Military Support to Afghanistan
By Catherine Stella Schmidt (Copyrighted material)
August 3, 2016 © US Mission NATO
Norway increases support for stabilising NATO’s Neighbouring areas, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.‘Stability in Europe’s Neighbouring areas is important for our Security. We are therefore providing NOK 10 million over three years for NATO’s efforts to Promote Stability in vulnerable countries to the south and east of the Alliance.’
‘NATO has long experience in helping countries in its Neighbouring areas to develop their Security and Defence sectors. This has made an important contribution to stability in Europe after the Cold War. Now the Alliance can use this experience in other areas, such as North Africa and the Middle East,’ stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. July 9,2016 © MFA Norway
With this new measure Norway is the lead Country of a new Trust Fund and personnel to support Capacity Building in Georgia by financing the Joint Training and Evaluation Centre until 2020.
In addition, at NATO’s Summit in Warsaw, Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced to increase the contribution of Norway to NATO’s Trust Fund for Capacity Building in the Defence sector, along with a contribution of about NOK 1 million a year to NATO’s Trust Fund to increase women’s participation in the Jordanian Armed Forces.
Belgium–the Leadership to reckon……and the Land that will represent European Ideals
Indicated by the UN 2015 Annual Statistic Report on UN Procurement.
News from MFA of Belgium News from Belgian Armed-Forces
News from Belgium Mission to the UN
The Sea Breeze 2016 has been launched in the Black Sea, with the main objectives of enhancing:
There are 13 participant Nations from: Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States in this Training Exercise to maximize their joint capabilities. The United States also provides most required Military assets to execute this Training.
Additional Reference: Sea Breeze 2016 Opening Ceremony July 25
US-Europe World Affairs 