Operation SOPHIA: the Force Commander pays a visit to the Spanish Detachment “Grappa” in Sigonella airbase
EUNAVFOR MED - operation SOPHIA Force Commander has paid a visit to the Spanish 4th contingent of Detachment Grappa in Sigonella airbase.
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EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA – Force Commander has paid a visit to the Spanish 4thcontingent of Detachment Grappa in Sigonella airbase.
The Force Commander had the opportunity to know the new Spanish crew and the contingent composed by 38 people, all involved to always granting the efficiency and the effectiveness of the CN-235 VIGMA D4 Aircraft. The Force Commander expressed his thankfulness for the great job that the Spanish delegation is doing, especially with the contribution in collecting all the needed images from the air, that is becoming very important to achieve the due evidences on human smuggling activities.
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA’s core mission is to disrupt the business model of human traffickers and smugglers, no less, saving life at sea is both a moral and international law obligation. Thus far, in fact, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s activities, 89-suspected smugglers and traffickers have been prosecuted by the Italian authorities and 301 boats have been prevented from being re-used by smugglers. Nonetheless, more than 38.800 lives were saved at sea thanks to the contribution of EUNAVFOR MED assets and, among them, the VIGMA D4 aircraft.