The Italian ship Garibaldi joins EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia
Yesterday, November the 25th, the Italian light aircraft carrier ITS GARIBALDI 
[828 KB] has joined EUNAVFOR MED operation SophiaTask Force in the Central Mediterranean taking over the role of mission Flagship from ITS CAVOUR .
Having left her home base port of Taranto (Italy) last June the 26th, only 4 days after the mission launch, the Italian aircraft carrier CAVOUR, which has been the first ship in EUNAVFOR MED operation, will be undertaking a planned routine period of maintenance.
In 5 months the Italian ship has hosted EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia Force Commander, Rear Admiral (LH) Andrea Gueglio , and his International Staff composed by more than 50 officers and petty officers coming from different EU contributing Member States. Additionally the 2 EH 101 helicopters embarked on the ship undertook 154 patrol and surveillance missions, flying more the 240 hours, in order to collect pieces of information about suspicious activities at sea, which represent the key to success in the fight against human smugglers and traffickers in the Central Mediterranean sea.
Launched last June the 22nd, Sophia, being 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, moved to its second phase in high seas last October the 7th.