The Portuguese Navy, tracing back to the 12^th century, is the oldest continuously serving navy in the world. The first known battle of the Portuguese Navy was in 1180, during the reign of Portugal's first king, Afonso I of Portugal, but the date chosen for the anniversary was 20^th of May to remember the greatest achievement of exploration voyages that were attained by Portuguese explorers, namely Vasco da Gama, who in 20^th of May of 1498 arrived to India, becoming the European discoverer of the sea route to India.

On 18 May 2016, the first of two 2016 EUROMARFOR technical Sub Working Group meeting was hosted by Italian Navy and chaired by Spanish Navy, as secretariat Nation.

On 15 May 2016, the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR) celebrates the 21 years of existence.

The Flagship of the Commander of EMF group for Operation Atalanta, Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri, returned to La Spezia. The Commander of the First Italian Naval Group, Rear Admiral Francesco Sollitto, welcomed the Ship after 6 months of anti-piracy activities in the Indian Ocean.

Wednesday, 23rd of March, the Rear Admiral (Italian Navy) Stefano Barbieri handed over the EU Naval Force Somalia command to the Rear Admiral (German Navy) Jan Christian Kaack, in Djibouti. At the same moment Rear Admiral Barbieri completed his mission as EUROMARFOR Task Group Commander.

At the end of 2015, Operation Atalanta protected a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) vessel, MV Kestrel, from potential pirate attack as it deployed twenty five Fishing Aggregation Devices (FADs) off the coast of Somalia.

On the 15^th of March 2016 took place in Rome a Planning Conference between EUROMARFOR Permanent Cell and a Tunisian Navy delegation in order to prepare the specifications of the multicooperative exercise with the Tunisian Navy.

Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander and Commander of EUROMARFOR Task Group, Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri, has paid a visit to German warship, FGS Erfurt, as he prepares to hand over his command of the Atalanta Force HQ to Rear Admiral Kaack from the German Navy on Wednesday 23 March.

On Monday 7^th March 2016, ITS Carabiniere, EUROMARFOR flagship for Operation Atalanta, hosted the Italian Ambassador to Oman, during a port visit to Muscat.

ITS Carabiniere received the certificate of recognition for the support to the UN FAO

Whilst the EMF flagship for Operation Atalanta , ITS Carabiniere, was moored alongside in Dar es Salaam during the recent port visit, her crew took the opportunity to provide much-needed help in local communities.

Experts in firefighting of EMF flagship trained with Tanzanian Navy 

On 27 February, Operation Atalanta and Chinese warships conducted joint training in the Indian Ocean. The training included air operations with the ships’ embarked helicopters.

From 20 to 25 February, Operation Atalanta staff, including the Force Commander, took the opportunity to met personnel from the Tanzanian Navy.

Whilst Operation Atalanta warship ESPS Tornado was alongside on a port visit in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, she played host to two important visitors.

Italian Ambassador in Tanzania, Luigi Scotto, visited EMF Flagship for operation ATALANTA, ITS Carabiniere, during its port call in Dar Es Salaam

On Saturday 20 February 2016 Operation Atalanta’s Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström, was welcomed aboard the EU Naval Force flagship, ITS Carabiniere, during her port visit to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

On Friday 12 February the EU NAVFOR Somalia Force Commander, Rear Admiral Barbieri, awarded the Operation Atalanta Medal to the multinational staff members embarked onboard the flagship, ITS Carabiniere.

On 10 February 2016, Operation Atalanta flagship, ITS Carabiniere, and South Korean warship, ROKS Choi Young, met in the Indian Ocean.

On Wednesday 10 February 2016, the Force Commander of Operation Atalanta and Commander of EUROMARFOR Task Group, Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri, welcomed to ITS Carabiniere Captain Khyber Zaman, the Commanding Officer of PNS Saif.

On 3rd of February 2015, The EUROMARFOR Permanent Cell Representative Officer of Portugal was promoted to Capitão-de-mar-e-guerra (Navy Captain).