Squadron Commanding Officer Visits German EU NAVFOR MPRA

The German EU Naval Force Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance (MPRA) Detachment in Djibouti received a welcome visit from their Squadron Commanding Officer, Captain Hans-Jörg Detlefsen, who is based in Germany.

Since 2009 men and women from the German Squadron Graf Zeppelin in Nordholz, Northern Germany, have been supporting the EU Naval Forces off the Coast of Somalia.

On average the deployed MPRAs fly air patrols from Djibouti every two days to support the EU’s Counter Piracy Mission Operation Atalanta.

The German MPRA is equipped with several advanced surveillance systems which significantly enhance the EU Naval Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability in the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden. Due to their high level of endurance and transit speed these aircraft are a key asset in an area of operation, which is approximately one and a half times the size of mainland Europe.

“With the specialised sensors on board, the aircraft are an important part of this mission. I am proud of the men and women working here in more than 40° celsius. They have been doing an outstanding job for years now, which is appreciated beyond borders,” said Captain Detlefsen.

The Detachment is part of EU Naval Force in Operation Atalanta. It supports the warships of the operation by delivering aerial pictures and comprehensive reconnaissance in the fight against piracy.