EUNAVFOR MED OPERATION SOPHIA - HMS Richmond and SNS Triglav join EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia completing the Task Force for the second phase in high seas - Operation Sophia

Yesterday, October the 23^rd, the British HMS RICHMOND and the Slovenian SNS TRIGLAV completed their first integration training in EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia.

On board the Italian Aircraft Carrier Cavour, mission flagship, the Force Commander international staff key-function officers illustrated mission main tactical issues, with particular emphasis to the 2^nd phase of the Operation, started last October 7^th, during which suspected smugglers vessels can be boarded, searched, seized and diverted on the high seas in accordance with the international law.

HMS Richmond  is a 133 meters-long  Duke-class frigate, carrying 181 crew  persons, while the SNS Triglav , is a Multi-purpose patrol boat 49,5 meters-long with 28 crew members primarily  used for national coastal and port water surveillance.

At the end of the integration day of last two ships foreseen for Operation Sophia second phase, the Force Commander, Italian Navy Rear Admiral (LH) Andrea Gueglio, met the two delegations to wish them “fairy winds and good work” before getting back into “operational waters”.