Frigate ‘Victoria’ returns to Rota after participating in Operation ‘Atalanta’.

Frigate "Victoria" returned this morning to Rota Naval Base concluding a four and a half month deployment in what has been its fourth participation in Operation ‘Atalanta’. The participation in this operation is part of Spain's firm commitment to the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) in terms of providing a comprehensive response to the phenomenon of piracy in the Indian Ocean, ensuring the delivery of food from the World Food Program (WFP), the protection of other vulnerable shipping in the area, thus contributing to international stability and security.

The ‘Victoria’ has sailed more than 20,000 nautical miles, visited six countries and completed 171 hours of flight time with its SH-60B helicopter.

During the deployment, the frigate has patrolled the coast of the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden, and has monitored fishing activities in the Somali Basin, contributing to the improvement of maritime security in the Indian Ocean and the protection of vulnerable traffic in the area.

The vessel has also held a number of meetings with local leaders in the Somaliland, Galmudug, Hurdiyo and Marka regions of Somalia, increasing knowledge of the situation, strengthening cooperation and mutual trust between the European Union Naval Force in Somalia (EUNAVFOR) and the local population.

Medical assistance to a crew member

On February 8, as part of a joint anti-piracy patrol with the Japanese ship ‘Harusame’ of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Task Force 151, the Spanish frigate provided medical assistance to the crew member of the German-flagged container ship ‘Northern Jade’, who had fallen from a four meter height and was injured.

Flagship of the Commander Task Force 465

From December 3 to February 15, the ‘Victoria’ was flagship of Commander Task Force 465, the Portuguese Commodore José Vizinha Mirones, along with his multinational General Staff on board. This is the first time that a Spanish Navy ship has served as flagship of a foreign admiral. It was also the second time in the history of Operation ‘Atalanta’ that Commander Task Force 465 and his flagship are not of the same nationality. This fact highlights the interoperability and good relationship between the Spanish and Portuguese armed forces.

Joint training

In addition, during this time, the frigate ‘Victoria’ and her onboard helicopter have conducted training with various units of allied and friendly forces, such as elements from the French Armed Forces deployed in Djibouti, the Republic of Korea Navy ship ‘Kang Gam Chan’, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship ‘Harusame’, or the United States Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Personnel Recovery Force.

During her deployment, the Spanish ship has contributed to the so-called Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB), framed within the EU global strategy to eradicate piracy by promoting the development of maritime security capabilities in the countries of the Horn of Africa, carrying out training activities with the Djibouti Navy.

About frigate ‘Victoria’

The ‘Victoria’ is the second of the six frigates that make up the 41st Escort Squadron based in Rota (Cádiz). The ship is the seventh unit in the history of the Spanish Navy with that name in honor of the ship that, commanded by Juan Sebastian de Elcano, completed the first circumnavigation of the globe between 1519 and 1522. On her coat of arms, the ship boasts the motto ‘Primus circumdedisti me’, a motto she shares with the representative training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’.

The frigate was built in Ferrol by Navantia, and was delivered to the Navy in October 1987. She is 138 meters long and has a displacement of more than 4,000 tons. She is equipped with sensors and weapons that allow her to carry out her main tasks as an escort vessel.Commanded by Cdr. Pedro Márquez de la Calleja, the crew for this mission was made up of 216 men and women.