More than 16 thousand miles traveled and over 1400 engine hours: these are the numbers that characterized the participation of the Italian frigate in the mission European Naval Force in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFORMED) IRINI.
After more than three months spent in the waters of the Central Mediterranean, the frigate Grecale of the Navy has ended its commitment in the aforementioned European operation, which was taken over by the patrol vessel Commander Borsini.
Last September 29th, under the command of frigate captain Corrado Maddaluno, the unit set sail from the port of La Spezia, with a crew of around 160 sailors between men and women, becoming part of the task force and in particular of the multinational naval device, thus contributing significantly to the safety and freedom of maritime traffic in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Among the results to be included during the almost one hundred days of activity: the monitoring of 187 merchant ships, the rescue of a vessel in difficulty with 25 people on board, cooperation and training activities with other units of the European navies, including Nave Libeccio and the Greek unit HS Aegean.
The operational activity was also accompanied by the diplomatic and representational activity of visits to national and foreign sources including Valletta (MT), Catania, Athens and Naples.
For the crew of Ship Grecale an intense mission has ended. After leaving the area of operations, on January 5th the Italian frigate and its crew returned to the base in La Spezia where they were welcomed by numerous relatives and friends as well as by a representative of the first naval division: mission accomplished!
