<<

EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

COMMAND

www.eunavfor.eu European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Operation EU Naval Force Rear Peter Hudson CBE

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE0 was educated at Netherthorpe Grammar School and joined the Royal in 1980 at BRNC Dartmouth. In 1982 he commenced a series of watch keeping and navigation appointments before completing warfare training in 1988 during which he specialised as a navigator. Thereafter he served as Squadron Navigator to the of the Sixth Squadron, upon the warfare staff of Flag Sea Training and, in 1992 as the Navigator of the HMS INVINCIBLE. In 1994 he took command of HMS COTTESMORE conducting MCM and Fishery Protection duties around the UK. Following his promotion to Commander in December 1996, he became the Commanding Officer of the , HMS NORFOLK, which included a 7-month deployment to the Falkland Islands. On relinquishing command in 1998 he served in the Naval HQ as the Fleet Operations Officer. In December 2000, after a short tour in the Ministry of Defence, he was promoted Captain and assigned to lead a small team that rationalised the 5 regional Fleet HQs into a single, integrated HQ located in ; a project known as FLEET FIRST. In July 2002 he joined the 19,000 ton HMS ALBION whilst she was under construction in Barrow. The ship was commissioned into the RN in early 2003 and as her first Commanding Officer he led her through a testing first of class trials programme and into full operational service in April 2004. He was appointed CBE in 2005. Promoted to in October 2004, he had a short period leading the Fleet Personnel division before moving to Ministry of Defence as the Director of Naval Resources and Plans in September 2005. Thereafter, in early 2008, he returned to operational command duties as the Commander of the Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) during which he commanded a maritime Coalition Task Force in the Gulf for 5 months and then led the RN Taurus deployment to the from his Flagship HMS BULWARK. On promotion to in June 2009, he was appointed as Commander UK Maritime Force (COMUKMARFOR), the UK’s contingent 2 Star maritime component commander and as Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force for Counter Piracy and Humanitarian operations off Somalia. European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Deputy Operation Commander EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Thorsten Kähler

Rear Admiral Thorsten Kähler joined the in 1973 as an and was promoted to in 1975. He studied Economic Sciences and earned an academic degree of Diplom-Kaufmann in 1977. In 1978 he specialized as weapons officer and commenced a series of appointments as weapons and operations officer onboard German Navy . In 1982/83 he served as exchange officer and instructor onboard the French “Jeanne d’Arc”, followed by a Principle Warfare Officers long course at the Navy Operations School in Den Helder, where he also specialized in Anti Submarine Warfare. 1984 to 1987 he served onboard German before being promoted to Commander (JG) and assigned to the Standing Naval Force Atlantic as staff officer Anti Submarine Warfare. 1988 he attended the Command and Staff course at the Federal Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Hamburg. In 1990 he subsequently became Executive Officer of FGS “Bayern”, a German Navy , where he was promoted to Commander (SG). Thereafter he served as staff officer long-term planning and training at destroyer flotilla staff in . In 1995 he became the first Commanding Officer of the newly-built 123 class frigate “Bayern”. In 1998 he started his first tour of duties as desk officer in the Ministry of Defence in Bonn and Berlin. This included specialisations in Conventional Arms Control, Military Politics, and Planning of German Armed Forces Foreign Deployments. In 2001 he went back to sea, when he assumed command of 6 Frigate Squadron in Wilhelmshaven. His time as a Squadron Commander included a deployment as Chief of Staff CTF 150 in the framework of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Captain in 2003. Following his time in command of 6 Frigate Squadron he served at NATO Headquarters Brussels in the International Staff as a specialist for NATO Force Planning. In 2005 he became a branch chief in the Policy Planning and Advisory Staff of the Minister of Defence in Berlin. On promotion to Rear Admiral (LH) in 2006 he was appointed Deputy Director of the Policy Planning and Advisory Staff of the Minister of Defence. In April 2009 he was nominated as Deputy Commander EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and took over responsibilities in June 2009. European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Force Commander EU Naval Force Commodore Pieter J. Bindt

Commodore Pieter Bindt was born in Bussum on the 4th October 1959. He entered the Naval College in 1978. On completion he joined the Submarine Service. In January 1989 he moved to Helensburgh, Scotland, for two and a half years to work in the Submarine Tactics and Weapons Group as UK/NL Staff Officer Diesel Submarines and NL liaison officer. In September 1992, after completing the British Submarine Command Course (RN SMCC), he served as Commanding Officer of HNLMS Zeeleeuw. Amongst several exercises and other operations, he patrolled the coast of the Former Republic of and facilitated on board the last diesel Submarine Command Course. Late 1994 he joined the Naval Staff, Bureau of Operational Requirements, as Staff Officer Submarines for nearly two years. Afterwards he served as Executive Officer on board the M-class frigate HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes. In May 1998 he completed the Advanced Staff Course at the Inter Service Defence College and the Netherlands institute for international relations “Clingendael”. On completion he was “Teacher” of the NL Submarine Command Course, teaching both Dutch and foreign students. From September 2000 until late 2001 he commanded HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes. After this, he was posted as Navy Planner of the National Plans department in the Ministry of Defense. Thereafter he was Commanding Officer of LPD HNLMS Rotterdam. In January 2007 he was appointed Commander Netherlands Maritime Force (COMNLMARFOR) and for NRF12 Commander Amphibious Task Force of the Netherlands/Norwegian NRF amphibious capability modules.

Commodore Bindt is married and has two sons. European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Force Commander* EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Giovanni Gumiero *Middle December 2009

R.Adm. GUMIERO is a native of Rome, . He joined the in 1975 and was commissioned in 1979. He served in various Submarines (ITS TOTI, ITS BAGNOLINI, ITS MARCONI, ITS ROMEI, ITS SAURO) and Surface Ships (ITS DANAIDE, ITS VITTORIO VENETO). He Commanded ITS ROMEI from 1986 to 1987, ITS SAURO from 1989 to 1991, ITS DANAIDE from 1993 to 1994 and ITS VITTORIO VENETO from 2001 to 2002. From 1995 to 1996, he attended the Italian Naval War Institute and the Joint Services Staff College. He held an university degree in maritime and naval sciences. Ashore, R.Adm. GUMIERO served as an Operations Staff Officer, Plans Section, in the HQ of the Commander Chief of the Italian Fleet (CINCNAV), in S. Rosa (Rome); from 1994 to 1995, as Officer in Charge of the Operation Office of the Italian Submarine Command and Operational Authority (MARICOSOM). From September 1996 to August 1999, he was assigned to the Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic (SACLANT), as Staff Officer Long Term Armaments Programs, Undersea Warfare Armaments Programs. From September 1999, he was assigned to the NATO/WEU Policy Branch in the Staff and, then, as Branch Head, to the NATO/EU Force Planning Branch, in the Italian Defence . From November 2002 to April 2004, he was assigned as the Chief of the Naval Policy Branch and Deputy Chief of the 3rd Division – Plans and Policy of the Italian Navy General Staff. From April 2004 to September 2007, he was assigned as the Chief of the International Relations Branch to the Italian Defense General Staff. From September 2007 to June 2008, he was assigned as Commander of the Italian Mine Countermeasure Forces (COMFORDRAG) in LA SPEZIA, and then, from July 2008, as Commander of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) for a full year up to June 2009. He reported to the present duties in August 2009. He was promoted Rear Admiral on the 1st of January, 2008. R.Adm. GUMIERO was involved in as CO of ITS DANAIDE. As COMSNMG2 he launched and conducted the first ever NATO counter piracy operation, Operation Allied Provider (OAP), in the Gulf of Aden (GOA) and along the Somali coastline, mission which included also the escort and protection of the WFP chartered vessels carrying Humanitarian aids to Somalia. His personal decorations include Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, Distinguished Navy Service (25 years) Award, Distinguished Service at Sea (15 years) Award, Mauritiana Medal, Distinguished Command Award, Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory Pope, the Italian, NATO, WEU Mission Service Awards and the Italian Defence General Staff Honour Award. EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

EU NAVAL OPERATION AGAINST PIRACY

Aim and Mandate The European Union is conducting a military operation to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.

This military operation, named European Union Naval Force Somalia - Operation ATALANTA, was launched in support of Resolutions 1814, 1816, 1838 and 1846 which were adopted in 2008 by the United Nations Security Council.

Its mandate is to contribute to:

• The protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia; EU NAVFOR ship Rheinland - Pfalz fends off Pirate attack • The protection of vulnerable vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast. Chain of Command The Political and Security Committee (PSC) • Employ the necessary measures, including exercises the political control and strategic the use of force, to deter, prevent and direction of the EU military operation, under intervene in order to bring to an end acts of the responsibility of the Council of the piracy and armed robbery which may be European Union. For its part, the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) monitors committed in the areas where they are the correct execution of the operation present. conducted under the responsibility of the Operation Commander. This operation - the European Union’s first Rear Admiral Peter Hudson (UK) commands naval operation - is being conducted in the the operation from the Operational framework of the European Security and Headquarters (OHQ) at Northwood, United Defence Policy (ESDP). Kingdom. There he plans and conducts the operation in conjunction with the political and military authorities of the European Union. The Force Commander currently is Commodore Pieter J. Bindt of the . He and his staff are embarked on the flagship HNLMS Evertsen to lead the units of EU NAVFOR in the Area of Operations. EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

Operational Parameters the FHQ. The common costs for supplying the force are shared by the contributing countries The operation which was scheduled for an and established according to their involvement initial period of twelve months has now been in the operation, with each country continuing extended by the council until Dec 2010. During to bear the cost of the resources it this period up to 12 EU ships and a number implements. MPA will operate at any one time. The military personnel involved in the operation At the present time, eight EU member can arrest, detain and transfer persons who states are making a permanent operational are suspected of, or who have committed, acts contribution to the operation: Netherlands, of piracy or armed robbery in the areas where , , Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg they are present. They can seize the vessels of and . Contributions from third countries the pirates or the vessels captured following such as Norway are participating as well. Also, an act of piracy or an armed robbery and a number of Cypriot, Irish, Finnish, Maltese which are in the hands of the pirates, as well and military personnel supplement as the goods on board. The suspects can be the team at the Northwood Operation prosecuted, as appropriate, by an EU member Headquarters. state or by Kenya under the agreement signed with the EU on 6 March 2009 giving the Kenyan

Caluula GULF OF ADEN Breeda DJIBOUTI Gees authorities the right to prosecute. Asayita Bandar Murcaayo Djibouti Boosaaso Gwardafuy Saylac Raas (Bender Cassim) Butyaalo Dikhil Surud Bargaal Raas Maskan Qandala Jac Raas ee Raas Binna ilil Khansiir Maydh Laasqoray S Karin Xiis Da Dahot r Hurdiyo ro Raas AWDAL Bullaxaar Berbera Ceerigaabo (Erigavo) BARI Xaafuun The European naval force operates in a zone Baki Xaafuun SANAAG Iskushuban K WOQOOYI arkaar Mountains Boorama D Burco comprising the south of the Red Sea, the Dire Dawa GALBEED e Togwajaale r (Burao) Garadag Qardho Bandarbeyla Dudo Nazret Hargeysa Harer Jijiga Oodweyne Xudun Kiridh Taxeex Gulf of Aden and part of the , TOGDHEER SOOL E yl Garoowe Buuhoodle Laascaanood which now includes the Seychelles, which Degeh Bur NUGAAL Raas Gori Rit Gabbac Eyl represents an area comparable to that of the

Berdaale Xamure ETHIOPIA Werder Beyra Seemade Mediterranean. A considerable international (Galcaio) Garacad Megalo K'ebri Dahar Gaalkacyo Imi MUDUG War Galoh Naval presence is now in this zone and provide Gode Shilabo Baxdo Mirsaale Hilalaya Mereer-Gur Dhuusamarreeb permanent or temporary backup to the action Hargele (Dusa Marreb) GALGUDUUD Hobyo Ferfer Ceel Huur conducted by the European naval force. The Ceel Buur W Beledweyne Xarardheere e BAKOOL b i

Derri

Dolo Bay Xuddur HIRAAN S INDIAN OCEAN EU NAVFOR operation is in permanent liaison h (Oddur) a Buulobarde b Ceeldheere Luuq e Tayeeglow e l l e Garbahaarrey Baydhabo with these forces (CTF-151, NATO Maritime KENYA (Baidoa) SHABELLE GEDO Mahadday DHEXE Buurhakaba Weym El Beru Hagia Wanlaweyn Cadale Group, Russian, Indian, Japanese and Chinese Diinsoor BAY Jawhar (Giohar) Baardheere Balcad Afgooye W e vessels). b Muqdisho (Mogadishu) i Qoryooley J SOMALIA Wajir u BANADIR b JUBA b SHABELLE a Marka (Merca) DHEXE HOOSE National capital Haaway Regional capital Baraawe Town, village Bu'aale Afmadow Airport Jilib International boundary Bilis Qooqaani Regional boundary Jamaame JUBA Indeterminate boundary SOMALIA Main road HOOSE Kismaayo (Chisimayu) Track

Isole Railroad Giuba 0 50 100 150 200 km Buur Gaabo

Raas 0 50 100 mi Kaambooni The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

Garsen Lamu

Map No. 3690 Rev. 7 UNITED NATIONS Department of Peacekeeping Operations January 2007 Cartographic Section The joint funding of the operation amounts to EUR 8,3 millions for the first year. This budget, which is shared between the EU member states and is established on the basis of their GDP, Signing of the agreement between the mainly covers the running costs of the OHQ and European Union and Kenya on 6 March 2009 EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

World Food Programme Since escorts began in late 2007, not a single “WFP remains extremely grateful to the EU for ship carrying WFP food to ports in Somalia has committing itself to escorting ships carrying WFP been attacked by pirates. food for 2009, giving us the long-term protection that our shipments need, especially in view of Under the EU Atalanta operation, which start- the increasing need for assistance.” * ed in December 2008, WFP has delivered more than 386,420 metric tons of food into Somalia Each merchant vessel wishing to transit through through Mogadishu, Merka, Bossaso, Berbera the Gulf of Aden or off the coast of Somalia is ports. requested to register in advance on the website of the Maritime Security Center-Horn of Africa VESSELS ESCORTED BY EU NAVFOR (www.mschoa.eu), which was set up at the FOR THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME beginning of the operation to facilitate the coordination of maritime traffic. Number of Tonnes of escorts food delivered This initiative, which was welcomed by the from 8/12/2008 more than whole community of shipowners and merchant 51 to 21/8/2009 290,526.01 , makes it possible for vessels that observe EU NAVFOR recommendations to know what Number of Somalis fed: arrangements are in place and in some cases, on average, more than 1,600,000 each day close military protection will be provided thus *Source: UN World Food Programme - Public Affairs Office East Africa. reducing the risk of attacks or capture. History A Comprehensive European Approach Operation EU NAVFOR is part of the global action efficiency of the Somali police force and to conducted by the EU in the Horn of Africa to combat any abuse and serious violation of deal with the Somali crisis, which has political, human rights. The Joint Strategy Paper for security and humanitarian aspects. Somalia for 2008 2013 provides an allocation of EUR 215,8 million under the EC’s 10th The EU supports the Djibouti process for peace and European Development Fund (EDF) It covers reconciliation in Somalia, facilitated by the UN. three main sectors of cooperation: governance, In this context, the EU welcomed the election of education and rural development. The President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed on 30 January issue of the security of maritime routes is 2009. The EU is multiplying its efforts to support also included in the European Commission’s the peace process and has called on all parties in 2009-2011 indicative programme. Somalia to ease the suffering of the population and to seize this opportunity to work towards the restoration of security, stability and development in Somalia. The government also has the task of delivering a new constitution, to be adopted by referendum, and of setting up democratically elected institutions by the end of the transition period in August 2011.

The EU and its member states support the African Union’s military mission to Somalia (AMISOM) financially, in terms of planning and capacity STOCKHOLM alongside TROSSOE building, in order to increase, in particular, the showing EU-insignia EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

With up to 95% of EU member state’s trade (by volume) transported by sea and 20% of Global Trade passing through the Gulf of Aden, EUNAVFOR provide considerable focus to safeguard trade through this strategic area.

The Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) is an initiative established by EU NAVFOR with close co-operation from industry. The MSC-HOA centre provides 24 hour manned monitoring of vessels transiting through the Gulf of Aden whilst the provision of an interactive website enables the Centre to communicate the latest anti-piracy guidance to industry and for Shipping Companies and operators to register their movements through the region.

MSC-HOA Website - www.mschoa.eu - over 5 350 registered User at Present

A further initiative is the introduction of Group Transits where vessels are co-ordinated to transit through high risk areas overnight when attacks are reduced. This enables military forces to ‘sanitise’ the area ahead of the merchant ships. MSCHOA will also identify particularly vulnerable shipping and coordinate appropriate protection arrangements, either from within EU NAVFOR, or other forces in the region.

Finally in between routine or baseline operations, EU NAVFOR conducts focused operations aimed at achieving specific effects within a given area or time window. By concentrating forces to achieve specific effects EU NAVFOR can provide influence, deterrence or insight into legitimate and illicit activities in order to better co-ordinate future activities to deter piracy and armed robbery and thus reassure legitimate merchant mariners. EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

FORCE

www.eunavfor.eu EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

EU NAVFOR FORCE COMPOSITION

Current units Nation Unit

HNLMS EVERTSEN

ITS ETNA

HS ADRIAS

FGS BREMEN

ESPS CANARIAS

FS FLOREAL

HNOMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN

BNS LOUISE MARIE

Maritime Patrol Aircraft hailed from France, Germany, Luxemburg and Spain FHQ SA (based in Djibouti) hailed from several member states.

*Middle December 2009 EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

MISSION

www.eunavfor.eu EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

Imprint European Union Naval Force Public Information Office

Spokesperson John Harbour Commander Royal Navy Tel: +44 (0) 1923 9 58693 Mob: +44 (0) 7540 417378 E-Mail: [email protected]

Address European Union Naval Force European Union Operation HQ Northwood Headquarters Sandy Lane - Northwood Middlesex - HA6 3HP

Media Centre Tel: +44 (0) 1923 9 58611 Mobile: +44 (0) 7762 784746 E-Mail: [email protected]

More information on www.eunavfor.eu www.mschoa.eu www.consilium.europa.eu/esdp www.consilium.europa.eu/eunavfor-somalia

Source of Pictures Press Office European Union Council Secretariat Public Information Office EU NAVFOR ATALANTA

Carillion Graphics_Northwood_09 2009_09358