On Monday 22 September, the full operational capability (FOC - Full Operational Capability) was reached as part of the operation to combat piracy along the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden, called "Atalanta".
The Predator MQ-1 has been used since the first days of its establishment in synergy with the other forces deployed. During this period the weapon system carried out a series of missions in support of the EUNAVFOR operation, all successfully completed.
"I congratulate the Italian Air Force team that has achieved the Full Operational Capability of their Predator aircraft set-up. I know that hard work has been required of the team, including coordination with the Gibutian Authorities and other partners in Djibouti" - said Brigadier General Dick Swijgman, deputy operation commander of the EU Naval Force, - "in the following months, the remotely controlled aircraft will be used to monitor the seas off Somalia where the pirates are known to have operated and it will be its task to alert for time the Authorities in charge in case of possible attacks. As in the case of military surface units and MPRAs (Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft), the remotely controlled aircraft can also be used to safeguard the transit of merchant ships belonging to the World Food Program ".
Source: Task Force Air Djibouti - ten. Giovanni Tortorelli
