Danish pilots conduct operation Ocean Shield’s final patrol

November 24, 2016

A detachment of 20 Royal Danish Air Force officers and enlisted service members took flight in their aircraft from the Seychelles one last time on November 19 marking the end of their deployment.

The Royal Danish Air Force Challenger CL-604 was deployed to NATO standing Operation Ocean Shield.

The Danish detachment was the last of NATO forces assigned to the counter piracy mission in the Indian Ocean. The detachment completed 17 sorties, or missions, and logged nearly 90 flight hours during their month-long tour.

“The work done to deter attacks and to provide surveillance by the Danish detachments all these years is admirable and has helped to increase the safety of the seafarers in this region. Without our presence in this area, the situation would be far worse,” said Maj. Anders Peter Kyed, detachment commander.

The Danes primary task was to produce an intelligence picture composed of the pattern of life along the Somali coastline; within tiny camps and large cities. The detachment covered 1.800 km of coastline in which intelligence specialists reviewed and disseminated photographs and video files to produce the intelligence picture.

In the vast area of operation, NATO coordinates with the European Union (EU) Naval Force and Coalition Maritime Force for the best use of surface vessels and aircraft. All three actors have their own part to play but all information is shared.

Multiple Royal Danish Air Force detachments have rotated through the post since 2011. Their participation supported NATO’s ongoing efforts since 2009, to deter and disrupt pirate attacks, while at the same time protecting vessels and helping increase the stability and security in the region.

The detachment shut down the outpost operations as Operation Ocean Shield prepares to conclude at the end of this year. Overall, the Danish Challenger aircraft detachments completed more than 200 flights totalling more than 1,100 hours of patrolling along the Somali coastline and in the Indian Ocean since 2011.