Operation Sophia: change at the top of the Naval Air Force

(To Marina Militare)
18/09/18

On board the amphibious ship San Marco, moored in the port of Catania, in the presence of the commander of the operation division admiral Enrico Credendino and other military and civil authorities, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Alberto Maffeis, handed over the command of the EUNAVFOR Med Task Force to Rear Admiral Stefano Turchetto.

"I am truly proud, happy and honored to have had the extraordinary opportunity and the good fortune to have exercised Command of the Sophia Task Force. At this particular moment, my personal gratitude, appreciation and respect must go to my Staff, my captains and their crews, for the dedication, commitment and exceptional support they have consistently provided to the Operation and my leadership. Trust me, I was truly impressed by your very high levels of professionalism and commitment expressed"Admiral Maffeis underlined.

The counter admiral Turchetto added: "I can assure you that I will undertake to follow the path traced by my predecessors, in compliance with the decisions of the European Union and the directives of the Command of the operation to keep the Air and Naval Force at the highest operational levels and readiness".

In conclusion of the ceremony on the flight deck of the San Marco ship, the commander of the operation, division admiral Enrico Credendino also highlighted the period of command of Rear Admiral Maffeis with the following words: "Today I want to recognize the great professionalism with which you, women and men of the Sophia operation, have worked silently every day at sea, on land and in the sky: a professionalism that gives prestige to you, to your countries and to the European Union. This has been possible in the last nine months thanks also to you Alberto; I congratulate you for your efforts and the contribution you have successfully provided during your period to the December command 2017: 273 days, a very long time. During your command".

"And now my attention goes to Rear Admiral Turchetto. Stefano, I am very happy that you are the new Force Commander of the operation. In the coming months your leadership will be fundamental in the act of command at sea."