On 13 August the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol Aircraft Detachment deployed in support of the EU anti-piracy operation ATALANTA passed its 4.000th operational flight hour during its 707th operational sortie in theatre.
This milestone occurred when Captain SOLOMON and his crew were crossing the equator over the Indian Ocean during an anti-piracy sea sector search and commercial shipping escort operating out of Seychelles International Airport.
The LUX MPRA detachment has been uninterruptedly deployed since October 2009 as Luxembourg’s participation to the common anti-piracy effort and actively participated in the disruption of 37 Pirate Action Groups.
One of its MERLIN aircraft recently deployed on very short notice to Tanzania where it conducted essential search and rescue coverage following the capsizing and sinking of the M/V SKAHIK ferry near ZANZIBAR.
The 15 man strong LUX MPRA detachment operates in close cooperation with the Seychelles Peoples Defense Forces Air Wing as well as assets from other EU and NATO member states.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, August 15, 2012; Image: EU NAVFOR