June 3 – The medical staff of the San Marco assists the Somali population. Three weeks before returning home, the San Marco, NATO Flaghsip for the Ocean Shield anti-piracy operation, under the command of rear-admiral Natale, offered medical assistance and support to the north-eastern Somali communities (in the Xabo area). The unit and its crew made an important contribution to the confidence-building activities promoted by NATO and the Italian Navy to help people in need. The operation emphasized the functional flexibility of this amphibious unit, able to satisfy purely operational goals (as in the case of Operation Leonte in 2006) but also core business operations (such as humanitarian assistance in case of natural disasters and logistics platform for many different uses). A large number of men and women (66, including 24 minors) underwent a medical visit and were offered fresh drinks and food. The commander of the San Marco, captain Massimo Esposito, reiterated that “as long as the work of my men and women brings a smile to the eyes of the local population, it will mean that our work is useful and valuable and it is therefore essential to continue.”
The Italian Marina to the rescue of the Somali population
