Italian Navy Ship Zeffiro joins Op. Sophia
Since August the 31, 2017, ITS Zeffiro has been assigned to EUNAVFOR MED Task Force for Operation Sophia asset, serving under the Command of the Rear Admiral (LH) (Spanish Navy) Javier Moreno on board the Flagship ESPS Cantabria.
ITS Zeffiro is the last one of the Maestrale Class (“Zeffiro” as well as the other units of the same class, is the name of a breeze), organically framed within the Italian Second Naval Division.
Due to its design, ITS Zeffiro can perform a wide set of purely military missions, in addition to this, there are several other additional duties that can be carried out, considering its capability such as:
- support in disaster relief;
- constabulary role, performing anti-terrorist operations, surveillance and interdiction of illicit trafficking, prevention and control of illegal immigration;
- peace support operations (Peacemaking Operations).
ITS Zeffiro with her 205 crew members, including Officer, Petty Officer and troops, is now fulfilling her assignment in the Mediterranean Sea, with the aim of contrasting the business model of human smuggling and weapons trafficking networks and to prevent further losses of life at sea.
