In three months, the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Joint logistic Support Ship (JSS) HNLMS Karel Doorman supplied over twenty naval vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with 5000 m3 of fuel. The flagship of EU Operation Aspides thus ensured that the units involved could continue uninterrupted protecting merchant ships.
The ship had been performing this task since 11 May. The ship also provided medical capacity. The Royal Netherlands Navy’s job in the Houthi-terrorised area is now over. HNLMS Karel Doorman set sail for the Netherlands on 9 August, where it is expected later this month.
Aspides was launched in February. Since then, some 200 merchant vessels have been protected from drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The Karel Doorman joined the alliance in May to supply the ships with fuel, food and other goods. Helicopters could also rely on fuel from the naval vessel.
Also read: HNLMS Karel Doorman resumes voyage to Red Sea after repairs
Medical capacity
Furthermore, the Karel Doorman had a so-called Role 2 afloat capacity on board, including two operating theatres and fifty medical specialists. A surgical team from the Netherlands and Sweden including support staff was available. As it turned out, it was not for nothing. The medics successfully treated a merchant ship crew member who was injured after an attack by the Houthis. The Role 2 also provided medical care to the other Aspides units including dental care as well as medical advice.
Also read: HNLMS Karel Doorman to Red Sea for supplies and medical care
Command transferred to Italy
Since 15 June, the Karel Doorman was also the flagship of EU Operation Aspides, with Commander George Pastoor and his international staff on board. This staff consisted of military personnel from Belgium, Germany, Estonia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden. Pastoor handed over command of the tactical headquarters on 8 August to his Italian counterpart Massimo Bonu.
Pastoor looks back on the turbulent period with a good feeling. ‘It has been a fantastic, but also very challenging period, with the crews of Aspides units continuously facing a significant Houthi threat with very short warning times. With the units available from Aspides, we have been able to protect many merchant vessels and have made a significant contribution to keeping the shipping lane open.’
Also read: VIDEO: Naval vessel thwarts drone attack in Gulf of Aden
Units on board
Furthermore, HNLMS Karel Doorman housed a force protection team from the Marine Corps and military personnel from the Defence Helicopter Command with a Cougar transport helicopter.
The ships in the area of operations will miss the Karel Doorman as its tasks will not be taken over. Nevertheless, Dutch involvement in Aspides remains. A number of staff officers and a political advisor still work at the operational headquarters in Larissa, Greece.
The Netherlands also provides military personnel to the maritime security centre in Brest. This serves as the first point of contact for shipowners and shipping. The centre thus makes an important contribution to protecting freedom of navigation and trade through the area of operations.
Picture: HNLMS Karel Doorman (by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: Netherlands sends frigate to join Red Sea mission
