NATO, EU Force Commanders Talk Cooperation on Counter-Piracy

Yesterday Commander Task Force 465, Commodore Peter Lenselink, visited Commander Task Force 508, Commodore Henning Amundsen, on board HNoMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN to discuss ongoing counter-piracy operations.

Combined Task Force 465 is the European Union Naval Force, which executes counter piracy Operation ATALANTA, while NATO’s Combined Task Force 508 carries out counter piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD.

The meeting, which also involved a delegation of both Task Forces’ staffs, was possible because the EU flagship HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT and NATO flagship NANSEN were operating in neighboring areas.

The Task Force Commanders took the opportunity to deepen cooperation amongst their forces, share information and ensure the optimal deployment of counter-piracy assets.

Both commanders agreed that close coordination between the Task Forces is critical to efforts to maintain order off the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden.

[mappress]
Press Release, August 16, 2013; Image: NATO ACO