- Spain’s participation in “Operation Atalanta”
- Tasks of the naval and air forces in the Indian Ocean
- A double kidnapping in the waters near Somalia
- Spanish response with the frigate ‘Victoria’ (F-82)
- The operation to free the tanker “Helas Aphrodite”
- Special operations team on the attack
- “Fast rope” technique and disembarkation
- Intervention against a dhow-type mother ship
- Liberation of the Iranian ship “Essam Mohammadi”
Spain’s participation in “Operation Atalanta”
Spain It is one of the main countries in European Union Participants in “Operation Atalanta”Its headquarters are located at Rota Naval Base.
Tasks of the naval and air forces in the Indian Ocean
Naval ships and Marine patrol aircraft From the air force stationed in Djibouti, patrolling the waters Indian Ocean Near Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Its mission is to fight piracyThis is a phenomenon that has led, for years, to the hijacking of many commercial ships and fishing vessels (Many Spaniards) and entertainment to demand a million dollar ransom.
In recent years, a large number of Spanish soldiers stationed in the Indian Ocean have accumulated Rescue and liberation operations of hijacked shipsTo assist ships attacked or threatened by pirates.
At the beginning of November widespread means to “Operation Atalanta” They rallied in Waters near Somalia For a double kidnapping.
A double kidnapping in the waters near Somalia
some Pirates They first kidnapped A “sailboat”A fishing boat raising the Iranian flag. They used it as Mother ship To attack a larger target: an oil tanker “Helas Aphrodite”.
Spanish response with the frigate ‘Victoria’ (F-82)
the Chain of command Of the process “European Naval Force Atalanta” The flagship was sent for European deployment, and Spanish frigate ‘Victoria’ (F-82).
The operation to free the tanker “Helas Aphrodite”
” since ‘victory’the Hostage release process ship “Helas Aphrodite”He was kidnapped by pirates in the waters Indian Ocean“, said the Defense Staff.
Behind him Drone reconnaissance “merchant” Marine Corps Special Operations He added: “They secured the ship and released the crew after ensuring that there were no pirates on board.”
Weeks later, the Defense General Staff issued a video Which reveals how Assault ship.
Special operations team on the attack
The soldiers who attacked the oil tanker are “ Marine Special Operations Team on board (Somtofor its abbreviation in English).
This shows that they belong to Naval Special Warfare Force (FGNE)the Navy’s special operations unit, which carries out missions like this Ship assault and Release of hostagesThis highlights the army in “Operation Atalanta” In the Indian Ocean.
“Fast rope” technique and disembarkation
the Special military operations They took a helicopter Sh-60F. The plane took off, headed towards the oil tanker, and settled on its roof.
then Spanish Special Operations Team He got onto the ship with this technique “fast rope”Descent by rope without the need to land the helicopter.
From there they spread out along the length of the tanker. The Defense Staff previously said that they “secured the ship and released the crew after ensuring that there were no pirates on board.” Therefore, Military Naval Special Warfare Force They did not have to confront, limit or defeat pirates.
Intervention against a dhow-type mother ship
the The process is not over yet.
Once the merchant ship is released, from “Operation Atalanta” “Efforts were focused on Intercept the mother ship From which pirates operate. It was a fishing boat. The Dao With Iranian flag name “Issam Mohammadi” Kidnapped too.”
the Frigate “Victoria” located in International waters To the sailboat “Issam Mohammadi”.
Liberation of the Iranian ship “Essam Mohammadi”
Again he was able to certify that Pirates They left the boat and that The Iranian ship was already sailing freely“.