EUNAVFOR MED Operation Commander on board the Flagship to meet with all subordinates units
Since the beginning of EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia, Rear Admiral (UH) Enrico Credendino, the Operation Commander, has underlined in different occasion his appreciation for the results reached by all Task Force assets thanks to the commitment of the EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia’s crew.
With this aim, today, on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, he took the chance to visit the mission flagship, Italian Light Aircraft Carrier GARIBALDI, and meet with the Force Commander, Rear Admiral (LH) Andrea Gueglio, and his staff.
Furthermore, a videoconference connection provided the opportunity to reach all TF units operating at sea and ashore, “a unique mix of professionalism, experience and motivation”. Almost 1400 people coming from 22 different Countries who are part of the International Staff working in the Operational Headquarters in Rome, the Force Commander’s staff embarked on board the Flagship and all naval and air assets’ crews: “the real heart and mind of the operation”.
A heartfelt “thanks” was finally expressed to all families of the involved personnel who are supporting the mission with their daily sacrifice from all Europe.
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, launched on the 22nd of June 2015, is part of a wider EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, tackling both current symptoms and root causes such as conflict, poverty, climate change and persecution. Until now the operation has contributed to saving almost 7500 people, while 43 people have been reported to the Italian authorities as possible smugglers, and 56 boats have been removed from illegal organizations’ availability.