The Deputy Operation Commander of EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Eric Dupont (French Navy) recently visited Djibouti when on a regional visit to the Operation Atalanta area of operations .
During the visit he met with Lieutenant Colonel Wais O. Bogoreh the Commander of the Djiboutian Coast Guard. Admiral Dupont commented during the visit: “I am very pleased to meet with Lieutenant Colonel Bogoreh and am very impressed with the important work conducted by the Djiboutian Coastguard in keeping the waters around Djibouti safe. EU Naval Force can only continue to maintain maritime security around the area of operations with support from our regional partners.”
During the visit Admiral Dupont presented medals to the German Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) as well as welcoming the Finnish team to the operation in their role protecting the World Food Programme vessel MV Caroline Scan.
He also took the opportunity to visit the German and Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) who are based in Djibouti. Admiral Dupont when visiting stated: “The MPRAs provide the EU Naval Force with essential information to assess the situation off the Horn of Africa which is absolutely vital to our operations. I am very impressed with the motivation and commitment of both the Spanish and German MPRA crews to Operation Atalanta and thank them for their hard work.”
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 28, 2013; Image: EU Navfor