The Berlin on its way to reach Irini
(B2) The support ship Berlin (A1411) will leave its home port, Wilhemshaven this Friday: heading for the central Mediterranean. He joins the European operation to combat trafficking off the coast of Libya (EUNAVFOR Med Irini)
The two helicopters: Irini's eyes in the distance
Two type 'helicopterssea lynx' are on the trip. A first, specifies the German navy (NB: usually it is rather a single helicopter). In addition to the usual logistics tasks (shuttles of personnel and equipment between land and sea), these helicopters will be the " flying eyes from Irini, says the ship's command, Commander Stefan Klatt. They will make it possible to increase the scope of the ship's surveillance zone, such as placing inspection teams on ships to be inspected. The air detachment will include 18 personnel from the 5th Naval Aviation Squadron (Marinefliegeschwader) of Nordholz, to provide flight operations, maintenance and repair.
90% of staff vaccinated against coronavirus
In addition to operations, one of the first challenges on board will be " the health of the crew. That is to say in particular the protection against Covid-19 », Indicates the commander of the ship. This year, the situation is a little more favorable than last year. Indeed, more than 90% of the crew was vaccinated. This will avoid unnecessary alerts and emergency PCR tests (as in 2020 when the ship was in operation in the Aegean Sea). To limit any risk of contamination as much as possible, shore leave will not be authorized...
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
