EU NAVFOR SOMALIA - ATALANTA Operation
The mission has been renamed to EU NAVFOR SOMALIA - ATALANTA Operation as of 30th March 2017. The operation keeps its mandate to protect vessels which contribute to the World Food Programme. The Programme ensures supplies of food and additional relief for refugees in Somalia.
The mandate of the operation is also set to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.
This operation - the European Union’s first naval operation - was established in December 2008 and was scheduled for an initial period of twelve months but it has been extended several times. During this period up to 20 EU ships and a number Maritime Patrol Aircraft operate at any time off the coast of Somalia.
The Czech Republic joined to the operation EU NAVFOR SOMALIA - ATALANTA in January 2010. It was for the first time, any Czech soldiers were deployed in a Naval operation. A three-member group of two officers and one warrant officer worked in the Operational Command (OHQ) structure in Northwood, England. In response to Brexit, the OHQ was moved to the Rota Naval Base in Spain in March 2019.
The Czech Republic ended the deployment of its military personnel in EU NAVFOR SOMALIA operations on 31 July, 2020. Over the course of ten years, twenty-one groups and sixty-three CAF soldiers took turns in this EU operation.
Visit website of the Operation:
- EU NAVFOR SOMALIA (http://eunavfor.eu/)
Visit also info article on the first Czech group participating in "Atalanta" operation:
August 18, 2020