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Czech Republic's support to EUNAVFOR Anti-Piracy Operation

This "Atalanta" operation has a mandate to protect vessels, which contribute to the World Food Programme. The Programme ensures supplies of food and additional relief for refugees in Somalia.

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The mandate of the Atalanta operation is also set to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.

This operation - the European Union’s first naval operation - was established in December 2008 and was scheduled for an initial period of twelve months has been extended several times. During this period up to 12 EU ships and a number Maritime Patrol Aircraft operate at any time over off the coast of Somalia.

At the present time, eight EU member states are making a permanent operational contribution to the operation: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.K. Contributions from third countries such as Norway are participating as well. Also, a number of Cypriot, Finnish, Irish, Maltese and Sweden military personnel supplement the team at the Northwood Operation Headquarters, the U.K.

The first group of three Czech military officers joined the Operation Headquarters in Northwood in April 2010 and at the end of July 2010 it was replaced by the second group. The third group served in Northwood from February to August 2011, and the fourth is the following one:

  • Major Vaclav Ridkosil is the Czech contingent commander and the Czech national representative on the operation and he serves as a planner in the Intelligence Division.
  • Major Petr Taborsky works as an accounting officer in the Finance Division and manages every payment made in relation to the EU budget for Operation Atalanta.
  • Warrant Officer 1st Class Sona Vaclavikova is the Assistant Watchkeeper in the Joint Operations Centre, monitoring all ships registered with the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) as they navigate the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

 

Visit also info on the first Czech group on Atalanta:

Updated: February 8, 2012