EUNAVFOR MED OPERATION SOPHIA - EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s Force Commander visits the newly arrived German ship WERRA at sea - Operation Sophia

Welcomed on board by Commander EIDAM, in charge of the German Naval Group, and by the Commanding Officers of the two newly arrived German ships, FGS WERRA and FGS DATTELN .

During the meeting, FGS WERRA and FSG DATTELN’s Commanding Officers presented to the Force Commander their ships’ main capabilities, whilst members of the Force Headquarters (FHQ) Staff, coming from the mission Flagship, provided instructions and guidelines about the Operation to the crew.

Thereby, operation Sophia Force Commander took the chance to highlight Germany’s contribution so far, both as FHQ staff members and as Naval assets . He indeed added that the integration of WERRA (involved in operation Sophia for the second time) and DATTELN would very much increase the Task Force effectiveness at sea in the European fight against human smugglers and traffickers in the Central Mediterranean Sea.

At the end of the visit, the Force Commander, wished them “fair winds and good work” before getting back on board EUNAVFOR MED Flagship Italian light aircraft carrier GARIBALDI .

Having reached its full operational capability almost one year ago, last 20 June 2016 EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia was extended until 27 July 2017. On the occasion, the Council of the European Union also reinforced its mandate by adding two supporting tasks: training of the Libyan coastguards and navy and contributing to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya.