The NATO counter piracy flagship, ITS San Marco has held a successful training exercise with the Tanzanian navy. Last week, ITS San Marco was in Dar Es Salaam for a port visit and while there, took the opportunity to train with the Tanzanian navy. More than 150 military personnel, rhibs, landing crafts, three helicopters, ITS San Marco and one Tanzanian Navy Ship were involved.
The exercise scenario involved two rhibs with a joint Italian and Tanzanian boarding team sailing towards a target at high speed to release other colleagues held on a ‘suspect merchant vessel’.
The exercise was carried out in the presence of Admiral Abdallah Mwemnjudi Chief of Operations and Training of Tanzanian People Defence Forces Navy and Rear Admiral Antonio Natale, Commander of NATO‚Äôs counter piracy task force.”The results achieved today are a big step towards the future, towards a gradual responsibility of regional states and where the collaboration between all the stakeholders involved will be the key to success in defeating piracy off the Horn of Africa‚Äù said Admiral Natale at the end of the exercise.
Background Information:
1. The entire activity was broadcasted live on CNN by an embedded team and can be viewed on 
www.cnn.com¬†by searching for “nato‚Äù
2. NATO has contributed to the international counter piracy effort off the Horn of Africa since December 2008. The mission has expanded from escorting UN and World Food Programme Shipping under Operation Allied Provider and protecting merchant traffic in the Gulf of Aden under Operation Allied Protector. In addition to these activities and as part of the latest mission, Operation Ocean Shield, NATO is working with other international bodies to help develop capacity of countries in the region to tackle piracy on their own.
3. NATO Forces currently in Operation Ocean Shield:
 ITS SAN MARCO – Flag Ship (ITALY)
 HDMS IVER HUITFELDT (DENMARK)
 TCG GOKOVA (TURKEY)
 USS NICHOLAS (U.S.A.)
Via: http://www.aco.nato.int/
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