In 3 months’ time, HNLMS Karel Doorman has supplied more than 20 naval vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with 5,000 m3 of fuel. The flagship of EU Operation Aspides thus ensured that the units involved could continue to protect merchant ships uninterruptedly. The logistics transport vessel had been carrying out this task since 11 May. The ship also provided medical capacity. The Royal Navy’s job in the area terrorized by Houthis is now done. Karel Doorman will set sail for the Netherlands from tomorrow, where it is expected later this month.
Furthermore, the Karel Doorman had a so-called Role 2 afloat capacity on board, including 2 operating rooms and 50 medical specialists. A surgical team from the Netherlands and Sweden, including support staff, was able to treat any injured people. It turned out to be for good reason. The medics had to deal with a person on board a merchant ship who was injured after an attack by the Houthis. He was successfully treated for his injuries. The Role 2 also provided medical care to the other Aspides units, including dental care and medical advice.
Furthermore, the Karel Doorman had a so-called Role 2 afloat capacity on board, including 2 operating rooms and 50 medical specialists. A surgical team from the Netherlands and Sweden, including support staff, was able to treat any injured people. It turned out to be for good reason. The medics had to deal with a person on board a merchant ship who was injured after an attack by the Houthis. He was successfully treated for his injuries. The Role 2 also provided medical care to the other Aspides units, including dental care and medical advice.
Since 15 June, the Karel Doorman has also been the flagship of EU operation Aspides, with force commander Commander George Pastoor and his international staff on board. This consisted of military personnel from Belgium, Germany, Estonia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden. Pastoor handed over command of the tactical headquarters to his Italian colleague Massimo Bonu today.
Pastoor looks back on the turbulent period with a good feeling. “It was a fantastic, but also very challenging period, in which the crews of the Aspides units continuously had to deal with a significant Houthi threat with very short warning times. With the available Aspides units we were able to protect many merchant ships and we made an important contribution to keeping the shipping route open.”
Furthermore, Karel Doorman housed a force protection team from the Marine Corps and soldiers from the Defence Helicopter Command with a Cougar transport helicopter.
The ships in the operational area will miss Karel Doorman. The tasks will not be taken over. However, there will be Dutch involvement in Aspides. A number of staff officers and a political advisor are still working at the operational headquarters in Larissa, Greece.
The Netherlands also supplies military personnel to the maritime safety center in Brest. This is the first point of contact for shipowners and shipping. The center thus makes an important contribution to protecting freedom of navigation and trade through the operational area.