New Deputy Operation Commander for EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia
On 26 February 2016, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean 
(French Navy) handed over the role of Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) – operation Sophia to Rear Admiral Gilles Humeau [453 KB] 
(French Navy).The handover was conducted at the EUNAVFOR MED Operation Headquarters (OHQ) in Rome.
Rear Admiral Bléjean joined Operation EUNAVFOR MED OHQ on 29 June 2015 at the very beginning and he will now return to France as Foreign Affairs Coordinator for the French Navy, in Paris.
Speaking about his time at the OHQ Rear Admiral Bléjean said: “being part of the very first team to set up Operation EUNAVFOR MED has been a tremendous experience. We started from scratch and were able to create a full capable maritime force patrolling at sea within a few months. This has been a great achievement for the CSDP and Europe. That being said, we must remember that the strategic situation in Libya is changing quickly and we must adapt to potential game changers.
To my successor and all those engaged in this operation I wish continued success, the best of luck and fair winds and following seas.”
Rear Admiral Humeau joined the French Navy in 1982 and after achieving his commission he began flight training and became a fighter pilot on board the French carriers Foch and Clémenceau. He went on to command the supply ship ‘Somme’ and the newly commissioned amphibious ship ‘Mistral’.
Speaking about his new appointment, Rear Admiral Humeau said:
“I am humble and honoured to be appointed as DCOM to the EUNAVFOR MED OHQ. I bring with me extensive operations experience and I am ready for the challenges that lie ahead and I am keen to build on our success.”