Purpose of the mission

For the third time in her history, the amphibious ship ‘Castilla’ (L-52) has started a new deployment in the European Union counter-piracy operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean.

As a novelty, this is the first time the ‘Castilla’ conducts this mission with drones (UAVs) from the 11th Aircraft Squadron as part of the Embarked Air Unit in addition to the standard helicopter (AB-212) from the 3rd Aircraft Squadron. The L-52 will also have an Operational Security Team from the Marine Corps stationed in San Fernando (Cadiz), a Special Naval Warfare Unit from Cartagena (Murcia) and two LCM-1E boats from the Naval Beach Group, as well as a medical team that will provide additional surgical capabilities in the ship's hospital.

The ‘Castilla’ will remain deployed for a period of five months, between February and June 2021, with about 270 people on board; she will relieve frigate ‘Reina Sofia’ (F-84) currently sailing in the area of operations.