EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

COMMAND

www.eunavfor.eu European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Operation Commander EU Naval Force Major General Buster Howes OBE

Buster Howes was educated at Christ’s Hospital, and York and London Universities. He was commissioned into the in 1982. The majority of his regimental experience has been within the United Kingdom’s Amphibious Force, within which he has commanded at every level from troop to brigade. With the exception of a tour in Northern Ireland, all his operational experience has been gained within a multi-national environment. In the First Gulf War, he served as the Regimental SO3 Operations in the 2nd Marine Division, conducting amphibious operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf. In Bosnia, he served as the SO2 Plans in the Rapid Reaction Force Operations Staff of UNPROFOR. He returned to the Gulf in 2003 as the Commanding Officer of 42 Commando, for which he was awarded the OBE. In 2007, he served as Chief Joint Coordination and Effects in HQ ISAF X in Kabul. His staff experience has been gained exclusively within the Naval and Joint Staffs. On the Naval Staffs, he worked as the SO2 N1 in CINCFLEET, the SO1 Strategy within the Naval Staff Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, subsequently returning as the 1-Star Director of the Naval Staff. In the Joint Staffs, he served as a Divisional Director at the UK Joint Command and Staff College, as Chief of Staff to the Commander UK Amphibious Force, and most recently as Head of Overseas Operations in the Ministry of Defence. He has attended the Staff Course at Greenwich, the Higher Command and Staff Course, the Royal College of Defence Studies and the Pinnacle Course. He has been appointed as Commander of the United Kingdom Amphibious Force and Commandant General Royal Marines from February 2010 and from June 2010 he assumed the appointment of Operation Commander EU NAVFOR Somalia. He has twin daughters and his interests are teaching them table manners and repairing things they break. In his spare time he enjoys mountaineering, gardening, art and ideas. European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Deputy Operation Commander EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Thomas J. Ernst

Born in 1956 and raised in the south-western state „Saarland“, RAdm was educated to A-level in the city of Saarbrücken, majoring in the classical languages Latin and Greek. He joined the Navy in 1976 and, after initial training at the Naval Academy “Marineschule Mürwik” and on board the Training Ships “Gorch Fock” and “Deutschland”, he attended the Armed Forces University in Munich. In 1980, he earned a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and was selected for Naval Aviation, starting his undergraduate pilot training in the US at Sheppard Air Force Base. After receiving his pilot wings in 1983, and successfully converting to the Tornado fighter bomber at RAF Cottesmore, he began his career as a naval aviator at Naval Air Wing 1 in 1984. During the second half of the 80’s he achieved “combat ready” status, and, being a fully qualified line pilot, he oversaw the introduction of the AGM 88 (HARM) weapon system into Naval Air Arm’s operational service. In 1989, he took over company command at the Armed Forces University in Hamburg and in 1991, by then promoted to Lieutenant-Commander, he was selected for the Admiral Staff Course at the Ecole Supérieure de Guerre Naval (ESGN) in Paris, France. Upon his return to Germany in 1993, he assumed command of No 1 Squadron at Naval Air Wing 1 in Schleswig. After having enjoyed an extremely rewarding two years as Squadron Commander, he joined the Ministry of Defence as Staff Officer Personnel (Detailer) Navy Air. In 1998, Ernst was selected to command for a second time, taking command of the Flying Group Naval Air Wing 2 in Eggebeck, Northern Germany. The group consisted of 5 squadrons with 50 Tornado aircraft. After another two years of active flying in command, a second engagement at the MOD awaited him. From 2000 to 2002, Ernst served as a Military Assistant to the German Chief of Defence (CHOD) in Berlin. He was promoted to Captain in 2002 and joined HQ SACLANT in Norfolk, Va. as Branch Head Politico-Military Affairs for a 3-year tour of duty. Having returned to Germany in 2005, he again, after a brief period of conceptual work on the future German Centre of Excellence for maritime operations in confined and shallow waters (CoE CSW), joined the MODs Personnel Directorate as Branch Head “Naval Personnel”. In 2007, Ernst became Chief of Staff to State Secretary Dr. Wichert at the Ministry of Defence in Bonn and Berlin. Hereafter, he took command of the Marineschule Mürwik 31st March 2010. Promoted to Rear Admiral he assumed position as Deputy Commander EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta on 4th June 2010. Thomas Ernst lives with his wife Patricia-Ann and his daughter Theresia near the city of Schleswig. European Union NAVAL FORCE EUNAVFOR Force Commander EU Naval Force Apr-Aug 2010 Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist

Jan Thörnqvist was born on the 9th of October 1959 in Karlskrona, Sweden. He joined the Royal Swedish Navy in 1976 and served as basic private and petty officer afloat in various types of ships in the Navy (e.g. Minesweepers, Destroyer, Torpedo and Picket Boats). In 1981 he entered the Naval Academy and in 1982 graduated to be commissioned as Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy, followed by Principal Warfare Officer training and promotion to Lieutenant in 1983. The subsequent years Thörnqvist served as 2nd Officer on MW Staff Ship and Icebreaker HSwMS Thule, various Mine Countermeasures Vessels, qualified as a Mine Clearance Diver, served as 1st Instructor at the Naval Mine Warfare School and in 1987 assumed command of the Diving Support Vessel HSwMS Skaftö. Upon completion of the National Defence College Staff Course in 1989 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and appointed Executive Officer on Landsort- Class Minehunters. In 1993 Thörnqvist took command of the Naval MCM Divers Squadron, a command he held until mid 1996, when he was appointed Commanding Officer of 411.MCM Squadron and the Minehunter HSwMS Ulvön. After this appointment, he completed the two years Advanced Command Program at the Swedish National Defence College, followed by an appointment as Chief of Staff in the Visby-class Corvette Trials Unit at the 3rd Surface Warfare Flotilla in Karlskrona. In 2001 Thörnqvist was promoted to Commander and appointed Staff Officer at the Swedish Armed Forces HQ, Joint Forces Development, Staff Department, Analysis Section. Three years later in June 2004 he attended the U.S. Naval Command College. On returning to Sweden he became Head of Forces Development, Plans and Policy Staff in the Joint Headquarters. In 2006 Jan Thörnqvist took command of the 4th Naval Warfare Flotilla and was promoted Captain. This command was in October 2009 followed by a command of the Naval Base in Karlskrona. As appointed Force Commander he is from the 1st of December 2009 working full time with the preparations for the EUNAVFOR operation ATALANTA from April to August 2010. Jan Thörnqvist is a fellow of the Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences and Chairman of the Naval Officers Society in Karlskrona. He speaks English fluently and partly German. Jan Thörnqvist is married to Christina Martinson and has three sons. He lives with his family in Karlskrona. When off-duty, Jan Thörnqvist enjoys sailing and boating, fishing and aquatic sports, downhill skiing, woodworking, outdoor and nature activities together with the family. EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

MISSION

www.eunavfor.eu 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, 1846 and 1897 which were adopted by the United Nations Security Council.

Its mandate is to contribute to:

• protect vessels of the World Food Programme, humanitarian aid and African Union Military Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) shipping EU NAVFOR ship Rheinland - Pfalz fends off Pirate attack

• help deter, prevent and repress acts of Chain of Command piracy and armed robbery The Political and Security Committee (PSC) exercises the political control and strategic • protect vulnerable shipping direction of the EU military operation, under the responsibility of the Council of the • monitor fishing activities off the coast of European Union. For its part, the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) monitors Somalia the correct execution of the operation conducted under the responsibility of the This operation - the European Union’s first Operation Commander. naval operation - is being conducted in the Major General Buster Howes OBE (UK) framework of the European Security and commands the operation from the Operation Defence Policy (ESDP). Headquarters (OHQ) at Northwood, United Kingdom. There he plans and conducts the operation in conjunction with the political and military authorities of the European Union. The Force Commander is Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist of the Swedish Navy. He and his staff are embarked on the flagship HSwMS Carlskrona to lead the units of EU NAVFOR in the Area of Operations. EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

Operational Parameters OHQ and the Force Headquarters (FHQ). The common costs for supplying the force are The operation which was scheduled for an shared by the contributing countries and initial period of twelve months has now been established according to their involvement in extended by the council until Dec 2010. During the operation, with each country continuing this period up to 12 EU ships and a number to bear the cost of the resources it Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) will operate at implements. any one time. The military personnel involved in the operation At the present time, eight EU member states are can arrest, detain and transfer persons who making a permanent operational contribution are suspected of, or who have committed, acts to the operation: Italy, Netherlands, Germany, of piracy or armed robbery in the areas where France, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg and they are present. They can seize the vessels of Greece. 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 Sweden 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 DJIBOUTI GULF OF ADEN Breeda Asayita Bandar Murcaayo Gees authorities the right to prosecute. 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 Dire Dawa GALBEED e comprising the south of the Red Sea, the Togwajaale r (Burao) Garadag Qardho Bandarbeyla Dudo Nazret Hargeysa Harer Jijiga Oodweyne Xudun Kiridh Taxeex Gulf of Aden and part of the Indian Ocean, 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 EU NAVFOR operation is in permanent liaison S INDIAN OCEAN h (Oddur) a Buulobarde b Ceeldheere Luuq e Tayeeglow e l l e with these forces (CTF-151, NATO Maritime Garbahaarrey Baydhabo KENYA (Baidoa) SHABELLE GEDO Mahadday DHEXE Buurhakaba Weym Group, Russian, Indian, Japanese and Chinese El Beru Hagia Wanlaweyn Cadale Diinsoor BAY Jawhar (Giohar) Baardheere Balcad Afgooye W vessels). e 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 Signing of the agreement between the GDP, mainly covers the running costs of the 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 started the increasing need for assistance.” * 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 76 to 18/06/2010 385992 navies, 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 1,350,000 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 building, in order to increase, in particular, the conducted by the EU in the Horn of Africa to efficiency of the Somali police force and to deal with the Somali crisis, which has political, combat any abuse and serious violation of security and humanitarian aspects. human rights. The Joint Strategy Paper for Somalia for 2008 2013 provides an allocation The EU supports the Djibouti process for peace of EUR 215,8 million under the EC’s 10th and reconciliation in Somalia, facilitated by the European Development Fund (EDF) It covers UN. In this context, the EU welcomed the three main sectors of cooperation: governance, election of President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed education and rural development. The on 30 January 2009. The EU is multiplying its issue of the security of maritime routes is efforts to support the peace process and also included in the European Commission’s has called on all parties in Somalia to ease 2009-2011 indicative programme. 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 The Force Headquarters Flagship HSwMS Carlskrona 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

FGS SCHLESWIG - HOLSTEIN

FS GUEPRATTE

ESPS VICTORIA

HSWMS CARLSKRONA

HS ELLI

HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT

Maritime Patrol Aircraft’s from Spain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany and Portugal. Sweden FHQ Support Area (SA) based in Djibouti from several contributing member states. EU NAVFOR OPERATION ATALANTA

Contact details European Union Naval Force Public Affairs Office

Spokesperson Per Klingvall Lieutenant Colonel Sweden 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 Affairs Office EU NAVFOR ATALANTA

Last Updated 18th June 2010

Carillion Graphics_Northwood HQ_06 2010_20100627