Operation SOPHIA Force Commander pays visits to the German Frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the British Destroyer Diamond
Busy days for EUNAVFOR MED Force Commander, visiting all the new ships that have recently joined the force.
Busy days for
Force Commander, visiting all the new ships that have recently joined the force.
On Tuesday, 20th of September the Force Commander of European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation SOPHIA visited the German frigate
The crew of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern began their duties in operation SOPHIA the 15 of September. The Force Commander received a capability briefing on the type 123 frigate –Brandenburg class and then had a tour of the ship.
The Force Commander visited British Warship HMS
on the 22 of September. The Type 45 destroyer sailed from Portsmouth in August to support the Operation to Counter Illegal Arms Trafficking. Diamond’s main role is to locate, intercept and board vessels suspected of smuggling illegal arms into the country.
The ship’s
transported the Admiral from his flagship, the Italian light Aircraft Carrier ITS Garibaldi to Diamond. Once on board he was given a full tour of the ship, meeting sailors, and receiving briefs on the capabilities of the ship including the Royal Marine and Royal Navy Boarding Team.
He was hosted by Diamond’s Commanding Officer: “Diamond has been on operations for almost a month now, and what has been clear from the outset is the commitment of all of the Nations involved to trying to improve the dire situation in Libya” he continued “It’s a pleasure to host the Commander of the Force and show him what Diamond is capable of contributing to the mission”.
Last 6 September the EU Political and Security Committee decided to formally commence the contribution to the UN arms embargo off the coast of Libya in the high seas.