ESPS Victoria, ARC 7 de Agosto Train off Somalia

Spanish Navy’s frigate ESPS Victoria and Colombian ARC 7 de Agosto recently rendezvoused off Somalia for training.

The vessels met at sea on October 9 and conducted a series of exercises including testing their helicopters and performing various maneuvers as well as replenishment at sea. The Sailors also held knowledge exchanges to learn about how their counterparts operate.

ESPS Victoria departed her home port of Rota, Spain, on September 10 to join Operation Atalanta, the European Union’s counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia. The vessel is expected to stay in the area until February to protect merchant vessels from piracy, monitor fishing areas and support other European missions.

ARC 7 de Agosto is currently engaged in NATO’s operation Ocean Shield, a mission aimed at preventing piracy in the Horn of Africa.

Naval Today Staff, Image: Ministry of Defense of Spain