Operation Ocean Shield is NATO's contribution to the anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, following the earlier Operation Allied Protector. It began on August 17, 2009 after being approved by the North Atlantic Council and includes warships primarily from the United States though vessels from many other nations are also involved. Operation Ocean Shield focuses on protecting the ships of Operation Allied Provider on the east coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean, which are distributing aid as part of the World Food Programme. It also helps build up the navies and coast guards of regional states to assist in countering the Somali Pirates. China and South Korea have also sent warships to participate in the activities.[1]
Anti-Piracy Operations
On March 25, 2010 pirates attacked the Panamanian flagged merchantman MV Almezaan. One pirate was killed by the Almezaan's crew during the boarding and shortly afterwards the SpanishNavyfrigateNavarra arrived and launched a helicopter. Warning shots were then fired and the pirates surrendered withouth further conflict. Six Somalis were taken prisoner for a short time before being released in the skiffs and the mother ship was sunk by gunfire.[2]
The small SeychellesCoast Guardpatrol boatTopaz engaged in another battle with pirates five days later on March 30. While patrolling just off the Somali coast, the Topaz encountered a captured dhow. After warning shots were fired, the dhow seemed to ignore the patrol boat and it's occupants eventually opened up with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. The Seychellois then engaged and after firing 10,000 rounds of machine gun fire, the dhow was burning and eventually sank. Twenty-seven members of the dhow's crew were recued and the Topaz was returning to base when she was attacked by a pirated trawler and two skiffs. Again the Seychellois responded with counter battery and the trawler exploded. One of the skiffs was sunk as well. Casualties of the Somalis are unknown and one member of the dhow's crew was wounded.[3]
USS Nicholas was attacked by a skiff on April 1, while in the waters between the Seychelles and Kenya. The Americans returned fire briefly and three pirates surrendered. Nicholas then went after a mother ship nearby and after chasing the vessel for a while, a boarding team was put on the ship and it was captured. A little later that day, USS Farragut was also operating in the area and she captured thirteen more Somalis. This was after the pirates attempted to sieze the Sierra Leone flagged tanker MV Evita. The crew of the tanker defended their ship with flares and outmaneuvered the pirates.[4]
