On 17 January 2014, Rear Admiral Jean Martens (German Navy) handed over the role of Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta to Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy). The handover took place at the Operation Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, London.
Rear Admiral Martens joined the Operation in July 2013. On leaving the OHQ he was applauded by the staff of EU NAVFOR for his hard work and efforts. He returns to Germany to resume his command of the German Flotilla 1.
Rear Admiral Martens addressed the staff before the formal handover and stated, “It has been an honour and a privilege being Deputy Commander of EU Naval Force. I wish Rear Admiral Bauzá the very best of luck and hope he enjoys his time as much as I have.”
Following the handover, Rear Admiral Bauzá said, “I am delighted to take over as the DCOM of the EU Naval Force from Rear Admiral Martens. I want to thank him for his great support during the handover. I am now in the position to build on his excellent contribution to the operation and look forward to taking the operation further. We will continue to work hard to keep the pressure on pirates and to ensure the safety of seafarers in the waters off the coast of Somalia.”
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