Ship and plane relay in the Mediterranean for Operation Sophia

(B2) The Germans and Poles carried out the relay of their means in the European operation in charge of fighting against trafficking in the Mediterranean (operation EUNAVFOR Med Sophia). French and Portuguese returned home.

The German frigate FGS augsburg (F-213) joined the European naval force in the Mediterranean at the end of September. She takes over from the auxiliary supply ship Mosel (A-513), returned home. During his 148 days of mission, the Mosel made four friendly approaches ('friendly approach') and checked the identity of 85 ships on the way, specifies the HQ of the operation in Rome. It can be noted that with this departure, the operation no longer has its own means of supply (see box). A " recurring gap according to an officer of the operation, who is filled either on the Italian navy, or on other ships cruising offshore, in particular from NATO (as part of the operation Sea Guardian).

Aircraft relay for Poles Another relay, for the Polish airmen. The M28B 1R Bryza n°1008 returned to the Sigonella base, after returning to Poland for overhaul and modernization. He replaces his compatriot n°1017, nicknamed the White Lady and who is a successor to his intrepid ancestors in the Battle of the Atlantic. A return to the Sicilian field for the 1008 which was there at the start of the Polish engagement from March to June.

Returns to the country for Cdt Bouan and the Portuguese P3 The French high seas patrol boat Commander Bouan (F-797) left the operation, after 26 days of presence, to take part in the Frontex operation in the Mediterranean. He was mainly involved in the arms embargo monitoring task (CIAT). He thus carried out 5 verifications of merchant ships and carried out a 'friendly approach'. Ditto for the P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft which returned to Portugal, accumulating 74 flight hours. (Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

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Fewer resources Operation Sophia currently has fewer resources:

four ships : the Italian landing ship Saint Mark (L-9893) who has been in command since last August (read: Relay at the head of Operation Sophia), the German frigate augsburg, the Spanish frigate Numancia (F-83), the Irish high seas patrol vessel THE'. James Joyce (P-62) arrived in July (read: Irish relief for Operation Sophia);

three/four patrol aircraft : a Polish M28 Bryza (Poland engages in Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean), two Luxembourg SW3 Merlin III aircraft (which take turns) and a Spanish Casa CN-235 Vigma D4 aircraft;

and two on-board helicopters : an AB-212 (on the Spanish Spanish frigate) and an AB 212 ASW (on the German frigate).

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