FGS Erfurt has welcomed Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri, who is preparing to hand over his command of the Atalanta Force HQ to Rear Admiral Kaack from the German Navy on March 23.
Rear Admiral Kaack will command the EU Naval Force off the coast of Somalia from German frigate, FGS Bayern , which will become the mission flagship.
The Brandenburg-class frigate FGS Bayern departed Naval Base Wilhelmshaven, Germany on March 7 to take part in the EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta off the Horn of Africa.
With FGS Erfurt sailing in close proximity to ITS Carabiniere, Rear Admiral Barbieri was welcomed on board by her commanding officer, Commander Thomas Klitzsch, who took command of the German warship one month ago.
Rear Admiral Barbieri wished Commander Klitzsch and his crew ‘fair winds and following seas’ during their five month deployment.