11 September 2019—This past week in the Gulf of Aden, EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA’s ITS Antonio Marceglia met with the Korean ship ROKS Kang Gam Chan. Both ships are part of respective counter-piracy operations; The ROKS Kang Gam Chan is attached to Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 and the ITS Marceglia is currently deployed as Operation ATALANTA’s Force Headquarters (CTF 465).

With both ships in the same vicinity, Operation ATALANTA Force Commander Rear Admiral Armando Paolo Simi took the opportunity to fly to the ROKS Kang Gam Chan where he was welcomed by Rear Admiral Byeong-Ju Yu, Commander of CTF 151, and Captain Sang Geun Lee, the Commanding Officer of the ship.

“Meeting with Rear Admiral Simi enabled us to discuss future collaboration and cooperation and enhance information sharing in our fight against piracy." - Rear Admiral Byeong-Ju Yu

Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Rear Admiral Armando Paolo Simi, meets with Rear Admiral Byeong-Ju Yu, Commander of CTF 151 on board the ROKS Kang Gam Chan./September 2019.

While on board for the brief visit, the Task Force Commanders discussed their shared aims and goals in tackling the threat of piracy.

“CTF 465 and CTF 151 are both dedicated, counter-piracy task forces that have a shared aim of deterring and disrupting piracy to ensure freedom of navigation at sea,” said Rear Admiral Yu. “Meeting with Rear Admiral Simi enabled us to discuss future collaboration and cooperation and enhance information sharing in our fight against piracy.”