"To succeed in a difficult task a formidable motivation and an extraordinary tenacity are needed. Because it is necessary to keep the attention firmly on the goal for months or years, without weaknesses, without rest, constantly attentive, vigilant. People who look at things from the outside have the impression that everything was easy but nothing is easy”(Francesco Alberoni).
And it won't have been easy for the ship crew Euro in these months, sailing nonstop, 7 days on 7 in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. Men and women who work with sacrifice, tenacity and determination, succeeding in never losing sight of the main objective of the European Antipiracy Mission Atalanta.
On a daily basis, they engage in all operational activities concerning the Focused Operation Aether 11, to guarantee the maintenance of safety and the freedom of navigation of merchant shipping in the operational area, especially those of the World Food Program (WFP), which pass through this area.
89 are i friendly approach carried out on local boats that were crossed in the operational area by the frigate Euro. Also revealing valid opportunities to obtain information on the "probable" illegal activities organized along the Somali coast.
An excellent result achieved by Nave Euro, far exceeding the average of the other Italian units that have operated in the Arabian Sea in recent months.
The "friendly approach"is the" friendly "approach to a boat - usually a dhow (typical Indian or Somali wooden boat) or small fishing boats - by the unit (F575) - after being authorized by the force commander of the Task Force 465. For this type of "approach" the consent of the master of the boat is also required.
The assembly of services on the flight terminal has just ended, the second commander has communicated to the crew the day's activities.
We await the GOS team (Comsubin Underwater Operating Group): I will assist, from the stern of the ship, in an EOD exercise (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) which consists in the neutralization of "any" explosive devices.
The second class chief Giuseppe Gravina begins to give me explanations regarding the reclamation and specifies that, despite being an exercise, in addition to respecting the safety procedures, it will be carried out as if you were really in front of a bomb and then proceed to the "Blasting". We go down to "poppetta", where there is part of the equipment necessary for the activity.
The operators show how the blaster is prepared. With the help of the second-class sub-chief Marco Chines and the team leader, the sub-chief Nicola Deci, just Gravina begins the "dressing" with the insulating suit for explosives. Despite the weight it seems to move easily. He smiles telling me that he trains every day to "bear" that weight.
We are forced to interrupt the briefing cognitive: the commander in the second warns that we are about to prepare for a friendly approach. Quickly replacing equipment and insulation. L'Euro has crossed a dhow flying Indian flag.
I get on the bridge. Commander Aletta asks the interpreter, a Djiboutian officer, to make a first call on the 16 channel, to the crew of the dhow. There is no answer. The determined commander tries to contact by radio the boat again.
A few seconds of waiting and, finally, an answer arrives. We proceed with a sort of questionnaire: the commander's name, crew composition, any passengers, material loaded, origin, destination and arrival forecast, weapons or dangerous material on board.
Once the necessary information has been collected, via ROC the preparation for the role is announced VISIT. The Euro assumes a structure of Force Protection which provides for the deployment of armaments for the ship's self-defense.
While I also wear a GAP (bulletproof vest) and a green helmet, the team di Force Protection takes a stand. Various positions are armed: Browning (heavy machine guns) and TSA or Sniper (selected shooters from the San Marco Marine Brigade) forward, MG on the plank fins.
I think of all the times I've seen a machine gun go off in the movies. I am now two steps away from an MG!
To coordinate the team di Force Protection is the FPO (Force Protection Officer) or the officer who coordinates the armed positions. He places the men on the side of the dhow.
The level of intervention and readiness of the Force Protection, is evaluated based on the type of "danger" that could occur during the activity. The "4" level, the one taken during normal navigation, is the lowest. THEthe "1" level, which involves the use of all weapons, is the highest.
In order to remain in the bridge wing I have to bear the weight of the GAP. Sweat comes down from my forehead. But the FPO official, the Francesca Greco TV, was clear: GAP and helmet mandatory for me too!
There is no day since I boarded the ship Euro, in which there is not a friendly approach. Sometimes more than one on the same day.
On the flight deck is always ready security team, composed of 4 operators of the San Marco marine brigade, to reach the boats to be inspected.
During the launching of the dinghy, the dhow Indian: it is required that the crew move forward. The commander and the helmsman must arrange to fix the ladder for the ascent of the security team and, subsequently, remain aft.
The navy riflemen descend from the biscay boat, climb aboard the raft and head towards the target. The lineup of dhow, due to the rough sea, initially it creates some difficulties. Come up, proceed to the securing. They communicate to the team leader (on the bridge of theEuro to coordinate the activity with the captain) to proceed with sending the inspection team.
I ask to the commander - without much hope of being heard - to be able to participate, sooner or later, for a friendly approach. He turns to me, looks at me a moment, then asks if I'm ready to join the inspection team. I do not give him the time to finish the sentence that I have already left the bridge and reached the hangar !!! I replace GAP and helmet with life jacket and helmet. With the help of the fusiliers I quickly get off the biscuit.
We are sitting on the edge of the boat and we head towards the dhow!
I can't resist, I lean to "touch" the sea water with one hand. Despite the slow speed with which we proceed, we arrive almost completely wet. With my reflex, I start photographing everything. Ship Euro it is behind us and in front of it is the big wooden boat.
When we arrive alongside, from the top of the bulwark, eyes curious they observe me. I greet them from the rubber boat.
Il inspection team is always composed of 4 operators: a boarding officer (team leader), the GE operator (Electronic Warfare operator, ship intelligence), the interpreter and an officer.
This dhow Indian does not seem like a threat: it is overflowing with sheep. In fact, as we approached, we had no doubts about the type of load ...
The team verifies that the information received via radio is correct.
It is important to inform these crews about the constant presence and role that the ships of our Navy play in the Gulf of Aden. In the same way they are useful the information that the crews themselves they report on any groups of pirates present along the Somali coasts.
At the end of the inspection, the Winning Package (or "Kit del Pescatore") as a thank you for the collaboration.
The package contains food and basic necessities.
Il security team and inspection team they greet the dhow crew and get on the dinghy. We are ready to go back on board.
(Continued)
(author's photo / Marina Militare)
