On Saturday February 20, 2016 Operation Atalanta ships visited the Tanzanian port city Dar es Salaam.
While in port, Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri, Op Atalanta Force Commander received the mission’s Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström aboard the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Carabiniere.
This was the Deputy Commander’s first visit to the Force Headquarters since he joined Operation Atalanta from Sweden in January so it was an ideal opportunity for him to be briefed in person by the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri, on the Force’s current operations, and to meet the crew.
The two commanders also went on board the Spanish ESPS Tornado where they were welcomed by its Commanding Officer, Commander Salvador Moreno. The Spanish offshore patrol vessel subsequently conducted a logistics review to ensure it is able to continue patrolling and gathering information to best effect when back at sea.
Before returning to the UK, Rear Admiral Wikström thanked all the officers and sailors embarked on board ITS Carabiniere for their contribution to the operation’s success in deterring and disrupting piracy in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden and strengthening maritime security.