European Union Naval Force Somalia Operation ATALANTA

EU NAVFOR - Operation ATALANTA is the European Union's first ever Naval Force. The operation was established by the EU in response to increased acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia. The ATALANTA Mission is to protect UN World Food Programme shipping, other vulnerable shipping, and deter / arrest pirates - armed robbers in the Area of Operations, until Dec 2010. The maritime component operates in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, with the Operational Headquarters based in Northwood, London, UK. EU NAVFOR is the largest military force conducting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. The military component is one part of a comprehensive approach adopted by the Member States of the EU towards combating the international problem of piracy; and supporting the people of Somalia in their efforts to re-establish a functioning rule of law and governance in Somalia, where the route causes of these piracy attacks lies.