Operation Atalanta: Italian helicopter deployed on the French ship Mistral

(To Greater Defense)
08/06/20

Participation in the campaign continues Jeanne D'Arc of the French Marine Nationale of 14 military personnel and of an MH 90A helicopter from the Fourth Helicopter Group of Grottaglie of the Navy, which, since last February, have been embarked on the amphibious assault helicopter carrier Mistral.

The naval group, consisting of the helicopter carrier Mistral and from the frigate Guepratte, originally bound for Oceania with 138 students of the French Naval Academy on board, from 26 March it was hijacked to support the population of the Mayotte and La Réunion islands in the fight against Covid-19. The operation Resilience it has engaged the men and means of the French naval group in the archipelago until 13 May.

Since the departure from Mayotte, the group Jeanne D'Arc contributes to maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, as part of the European anti-piracy operation Atalanta. On board the Mistral, continues the training of our personnel, useful both for interoperability between soldiers of different nationalities, and for the acquisition of individual qualifications. In particular, as part of the operation, one of the Italian pilots on board completed the training for the achievement of the characteristic "Eliassalto", which will allow him to operate in the Amphibious and Special operations.

From the 1994 Eliassalto Department (already Amphibious Fight Core) of the Navy Air Force took part in major national and international operations, including operations in Somalia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

The deployment of Italian personnel and helicopters on board the French ship will presumably end towards the end of June.