ESPS CANARIAS, the Spanish frigate finished as an EU NAVFOR warship after 126 days proudly flying the European Flag.
She has conducted a variety of tasks in the force and with a continuous dedication has always been ready for any duties, as well as demonstrating a proactive attitude to face all challenges in order to fulfill the objectives of Operation ATALANTA .
During these days at sea she was committed in conducting surface scans, as well as patrolling and safeguarding the Southern part of the Somalia Basin. For the first three and a half months of 2011, the Multinational Force Headquarters, under the command of Rear Admiral Juan Rodriguez was embarked onboard CANARIAS.
EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia. [mappress] Source: EU NAVFOR, May 10, 2011;