Anti-piracy mission Atalanta - Reportage on board of the Euro vessel, cap.2: "You are the most experienced and senior crew in the Task Force"

(To Lia Pasqualina Stani)
03/10/16

"Let me begin by expressing my sincere, respectful and grateful appreciation for being present aboard Nave Euro, of the Italian Navy. I felt your warm welcome.

[...] Now let me talk to you, Commander Aletta and the Euro crew. You are in Atalanta since March of this year. You are therefore the oldest and most experienced crew on the Task Force. Your deployment on this mission has been extended by almost 2 months. 
And although, as a commander of the Task Force, I feel honored to have this ship and this wonderful crew by my side, it must have been difficult news not to return to your loved ones, but to remain in the Gulf of Aden.

[...] You escorted the last merchant ship of the World Food Program (WFP) and you did not disappoint me. Thank you for this. Together, the Task Force ships have delivered well over 1,3 million tonnes of food and humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia and the whole reason.

[...] When you leave the EUNAVFOR TF 465 I encourage you to remember the following: We are all - no matter if one is an admiral, commander, soldier or sailor, or in any other position within the Task Force - we are all of equal importance for the safety and freedom of thousands of sailors at sea and also to guarantee the lives of millions of people in Somalia, who are dependent on the WFP of the United Nations. Without you and your devoted and qualified work you are running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I would have been as helpless as a coach of a non-player football team.
In the 2 months that Nave Euro has been under my command (23rd rotation) I have enjoyed every single day spent with it. The crew is very dedicated and has demonstrated a high level of professionalism.

[...] You can't do everything yourself, but together we can achieve great results. Together we are strong! Wind in the stern and calm sea. thanks a lot"

These are the words that the force commander of the Task Force 465, commodore René Luyckx, pronounced on the flight deck during his visit on board the Navy ship. He recognized the professionalism and tenacity shown by the entire crew - defined as the "most expert" of the entire device - complimenting himself above all for the work done.

In the two days before the commodore's visit, in a briefing afternoon, the commander of Nave Euro, the frigate captain Giuseppe M. Aletta, coordinated by the second in command, cc Mauro Colizzi, from PI stv Alessandro Boggio Tomasaz, by the chief adjutant lieutenant Giampiero Nigri, presented and discussed the draft program regarding the visit of the force commander on board the ship.
Despite the daily training and operational activities concerning the focused operation Aether 11 - like an ISR activity or a friendly approach - the crew worked for a whole day, without stopping, and tirelessly to make the whole unit even more efficient and welcoming.

At 10.30, despite the stifling heat in the Gulf of Aden, the AB 212 started from the Nave flight deck Euro and reached the HNLMS flight deck Tromp (F803), the Dutch flag unit on which the force commander Luyckx. And it is from this ship that the Dutch admiral "directs" and arranges the deployment of the naval units and the means made available by the member states, which participate in the current mission.

Upon arrival aboard the ship Euro, commander Aletta, waiting in the hangar, welcomed not only the Dutch Force Commander, but also his staff. Among these is a COS (Chief Of Staff), a German officer. Two ACOS N5 (ie a manager who plans the operational activities of the mission, assigned to the naval units present in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden) including an Italian officer and a Spanish officer. And finally a PAO (Public Affair Officer), a German officer.

The whole group visited the officers' quarters, the bridge, the COC (Combat Operations Center, the "operational heart" of the ship), the COP (Platform Operations Center, where the ship's engines are checked), and the infirmary. 

Meanwhile on the flight deck, waiting for the speech of the force commander, as in the general assembly, the officers and non-commissioned officers stand on the left (of the commander). While in front of the specialist departments including the GOS, the men of the marine brigade Saint Mark, the air component of the Navy (Sezelicot). The second leaders, the sergeants and the troop, on the right (always by the commander). 

Being on the Euro ship's flight deck, listening to a short and intense speech made with words full of affection and full of recognition for the work that Commander Aletta has done with his crew, I think he repays the sacrifices that each of them they have faced these long months away from their loved ones.

When the force commander he addressed a thought of condolence for the victims of the earthquake that struck our country, the eyes of many of the crew members were turned to our Italian flag. And who knows if when they lowered it and turned back towards the sea they thought of Karen Blixen: "the cure for everything is salt water or sweat, tears or the sea."

I believe the force commander has highlighted two fundamental aspects. The same perspectives - and I hope I am not mistaken - that Commander Aletta has tried to instill in his crew: “that together we are stronger” and that only “with dedicated and qualified work” can great goals be achieved. In fact, important missions are concluded, just like the operation Atalanta. And the crew of Nave Euro I believe he is committed every day, trying never to disappoint the expectations of his commander. But above all, try never to lose sight of the primary objective of the Mission Atalanta.

The commodore underlined the importance of collaboration between the different navies, all united under the same flag, that of the European Community. Naval units that with their crews "live" in an operational theater where every effort is aimed at the problem of piracy, the safety of maritime trade and the safeguarding of human life at sea.

At the end of the speech, release the lines, all ready for the final photo.

Compound, orderly and smiling "posing" for the final shot. 

It is already time for lunch. The commander goes with the commodore and their respective staff to the officers' square.

At the end of lunch, Commander Aletta spoke with the force commander Luyckx of the activities carried out at sea, of the tasks and results obtained by Nave Euro within the European device. He also had the opportunity to show the commodore, the "Fisherman's kit". 

A package containing biscuits, basic medicines, canned meat, water and other supplies. It is delivered during friendly approach carried out on fishing boats or on “dhows” (typical boats of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea), to fishermen. In fact, they also provide valid information regarding any pirate organizations that may be present along the Somali coast. A way to thank them for their cooperation. A package that is useful, because often there are women and children on these boats.

There is maximum cooperation from Somali or Indian fishermen who cross paths in the waters of the Horn of Africa. They understand how important the presence of military ships is, because they guarantee continuous monitoring but above all surveillance and safety at sea. Although the most important task is precisely to "escort" the WFP merchant ships to the Somali population.

The force commander once again congratulated the commander for the foresight and attention with which he and his crew perform the activities concerning the focused operation Aether 11.

Before the commodore left the unit, there was the delivery of the Euro ship crest and beyond.

The force commander entrusted his memory to Nave Euro to the "Log Book". 

The ritual photos captured smiles and handshakes that were aware and grateful for a hard and demanding job that was carried out by the entire crew.

The AB 212 is ready on the flight deck. 

The pilots prepare the force commander and his staff to wear the inflatable lifejacket and headphones.

While Admiral Renè Luyckx is about to greet Commander Aletta, he looks at me as I take some photos of him. My white shirt does not go unnoticed: "whoever ponders for a long time before taking a step will spend his life on one leg." Basically now I can tell, I wore it on purpose. He asks the commander who I was. I don't know if at that moment I was more excited or intimidated. I was introduced by the commander, who acted as my interpreter. As I shook hands with the commodore I really understood how important being there was and, even more, when he asked me how my experience proceeded aboard the ship. 

I answered "feebly" in imperfect English: "this is a unique experience". He smiled at me. I just thanked Commander Aletta for translating his words and then saying goodbye to them.

I continued to photograph, satisfied, the departure of the AB 212. 

This is just one of the first days, full of emotions, lived aboard ship Euro. I expect days full of activities to tell during "my" mission Atalanta.

(Continued)

Read also the CAP.1: "HOPE BETTER AND GET READY FOR THE WORSE"

(photo of the author)