Handover between Force Commanders - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI

(To Marina Militare)
14/10/24

​October 4, 2024 on board the frigate Grecale, moored at the Mar Grande Naval Station in Taranto, the handover ceremony between the force commanders of Operation Eunavfor Med Irini took place.

The event saw the passing of the baton between Rear Admiral Armando Paolo Simi, after six months of intense activity at sea in command of the ninth Italian-led rotation, and Greek Commodore Prokopios Charitos.

The ceremony was presided over by the operational commander of Operation Irini, Admiral Valentino Rinaldi, in the presence of numerous civil and military authorities, including the deputy mayor of the city of Taranto, Dr. Gianni Azzaro, the vice prefect and chief of staff, Dr. Maria Luisa Ruocco, and the director of the Taranto Maritime Arsenal, Admiral Inspector Pasquale de Candia.

During his tactical command, Rear Admiral Simi had men and women from nine different European nations who joined the mission.

Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, Finland, Ireland, Romania, Latvia and Belgium are the nations that have contributed to maintaining security in the central Mediterranean, while ensuring the arms embargo on Libya.

Over the past six months, Irini has monitored 1.892 merchant vessels transiting the area of ​​operations through hailing and conducted 68 friendly approach visits. In addition, in line with its mandate, two boarding inspections of merchant vessels were conducted. The operation also monitored approximately 170 flights of interest to and from Libya.