September 13, on the flight deck of the frigate Carlo Margottini moored in Limassol (Cyprus), the handover ceremony of the tactical command of the operation took place Safe Mediterranean.
Rear Admiral Michele Orini, commander of the third naval division, of the Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force and Italian Maritime Force, passed the baton to Rear Admiral Alberto Tarabotto, commander of the Fourth Naval Division.
The ceremony was presided over, via video link, by the commander in chief of the naval fleet, Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, in the presence of the ship's staff and crews. Margottini of the Ship Martinengo who have taken turns in the role of flagship.
Overall, the OMS rotation saw 15 naval units and aircraft deployed in the central and eastern Mediterranean, together with the operational detachment of the Air Force and the marine brigade. Saint Mark deployed on the island of Pantelleria, which have guaranteed a constant commitment, presence, surveillance, vigilance, protection and readiness for intervention, as well as support for dialogue and cooperation, which has always been inherent in the instrument of naval diplomacy.
In synergy with other ongoing operational activities, such as the operation Safe backdrops and the Fisheries Surveillance, numerous activities were conducted with units of the American, Turkish, Cypriot, Libyan and Japanese Navies; moments of interaction and fruitful exchanges between members of the world of the navy.
Bilateral interactions that fully express the peculiarity of our naval units, representing a perfect combination between the activities of naval diplomacy – through the projection of assets in areas of operation related to national interests, and the need to strengthen international cooperation and interoperability.
During the period, numerous training activities were carried out, including shooting against the coast on the Greek polygon of Karavia, boardings in cooperation with the merchant vessel MSC Desiree of AssoArmatori and, finally, accommodation was provided on board the ship of the Pen the training campaign of the 1st cl. normal marshals students who, in the name of operationality, gave birth to the course Altair.
“The operation continues to give concrete proof of the presence and reference role played by Italy in the Mediterranean, with a long-standing commitment in the defense of vital national interests that now more than ever must be preserved and safeguarded due to growing geopolitical tensions", underlined Admiral De Carolis in congratulating Admiral Orini for the effective action carried out in the 16th rotation, then wishing Admiral Tarabotto and the entire 17th rotation a period full of profitable activities and interactions with the Mediterranean countries and with the units in transit.
