On the afternoon of 10th February EU NAVFOR hosted a visit by the Luxembourg Defence Minister Jean-Marie Halsdorf, members of Parliament Marc Angel, Felix Braz, Felix Eischen and a number of other Luxembourg representatives.
The Defence Minister was greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA and was given a tour of the new Operational Headquarters building, specifically designed for Operations and into which EU NAVFOR moved only two days ago. During their visit the delegation was given a briefing on the operation and EU NAVFOR’s fight against piracy visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which also houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA). The Minister had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states, including the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who work within MSCHOA).
The Defence Minister was impressed with Operation Atalanta and emphasised the positive contributions and cooperation between all players in this multinational operation. Admiral Hudson stated that “I am delighted to welcome Defence Minister Jean-Marie Halsdorf to the OHQ, the first VIP to visit our new headquarters and thank him for the extremely valuable contribution of Luxemburg Maritime Patrol aircraft to anti piracy operations”. Minister Halsdorf indicated, in this context, that Luxembourg was actively considering extending its contribution for another six months.
EU NAVFOR Somalia - Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.
The Defence Minister was greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA and was given a tour of the new Operational Headquarters building, specifically designed for Operations and into which EU NAVFOR moved only two days ago. During their visit the delegation was given a briefing on the operation and EU NAVFOR’s fight against piracy visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which also houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA). The Minister had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states, including the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who work within MSCHOA).
The Defence Minister was impressed with Operation Atalanta and emphasised the positive contributions and cooperation between all players in this multinational operation. Admiral Hudson stated that “I am delighted to welcome Defence Minister Jean-Marie Halsdorf to the OHQ, the first VIP to visit our new headquarters and thank him for the extremely valuable contribution of Luxemburg Maritime Patrol aircraft to anti piracy operations”. Minister Halsdorf indicated, in this context, that Luxembourg was actively considering extending its contribution for another six months.
EU NAVFOR Somalia - Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.