Frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ returns home after participating in Operation ‘Atalanta’.

Frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ returns home after participating in Operation ‘Atalanta’.

Saturday, February 27th 2021

Frigate 'Reina Sofia' has returned to Rota Naval Base after participating in the European Union's Operation 'Atalanta'. Since her departure on October 2, she has spent 149 days away from base, 124 of which fully integrated into the aforementioned operation in the Indian Ocean.

This rotation has been the second time the frigate has participated in this Operation, which is part of the commitment acquired by Spain since 2008, under the flag of the European Union, in its struggle to maintain security in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and Somalia, protecting World Food Program ships, AMISOM vessels and maintaining the security of vulnerable shipping in the area.

During this period, the Spanish frigate has sailed around 25,000 nautical miles, the approximate equivalent of a round-the-world trip. She has made more than two hundred friendly approaches to fishing vessels, has flown 475 hours with her air assets and has carried out two escorts of merchant ships of the World Food Program (WFP). In addition, the ‘Reina Sofía’ was also the group's flagship as of December 2.

Commanded by Cdr. Pedro Cardona Suanzes, the frigate had a maximum of 226 people on board. Apart from her own crew, she also embarked a Special Operations team, an Air Unit (helicopter) from the 3rd Aircraft Squadron and an UAV.

Given the international alert due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew and embarked forces of the 'Reina Sofia' had to remain on board during the five- month operation to guarantee a COVID-free environment. This has meant an extra effort for the crew, who have done an exceptional job of resilience and professionalism.

About the frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ The unit is the fourth of the six ‘Santa María’-class frigates that make up the 41st Escort Squadron, stationed in Rota. This squadron is a fundamental part of the Spanish Navy's protection capability with the main mission of protecting battle or amphibious groups. Initially the ships were conceived for anti-submarine missions and for blue-water escort operations.

However, the changes experienced in the strategic environment have meant that these vessels, given their great versatility and variety of capabilities, can now be used for other tasks, such as support of a Force projecting naval power ashore, traffic protection, maritime interdiction operations, integration into the territorial air defense system, and surveillance and escort in remote theaters of operations.

Frigate ‘Reina Sofia’ celebrated her ‘thirtieth birthday’ during the course of the operation (she was delivered to the Spanish Navy on October 30, 1990) and this has also been her second Christmas away from her base in the last three years.

FOTOS: Frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ returns home.