OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

COMMANDwww.eunavfor.eu

European UnionNAVAL FORCE

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE0 was educated at Netherthorpe Grammar School and joined the Royal Navy in 1980 at BRNC Dartmouth. In 1982 he commenced a series of watch keeping and navigation appointments before completing warfare training in 1988 during which he specialised as a navigator. Thereafter he served as Squadron Navigator to the Captain of the Sixth Frigate Squadron, upon the warfare staff of Flag Officer Sea Training and, in 1992 as the Navigator of the aircraft carrier HMS INVINCIBLE.

In 1994 he took command of HMS COTTESMORE conducting MCM and Fishery Protection duties around the UK. Following his promotion to Commander in December 1996, he became the Commanding Officer of the Type 23 Frigate, HMS NORFOLK, which included a 7-month deployment to the Falkland Islands. On relinquishing command in 1998 he served in the Naval HQ as the Fleet Operations Officer.

In December 2000, after a short tour in the Ministry of Defence, he was promoted Captain and assigned to lead a small team that rationalised the 5 regional Fleet HQs into a single, integrated HQ located in Portsmouth; a project known as FLEET FIRST. In July 2002 he joined the 19,000 ton Amphibious Assault Ship HMS ALBION whilst she was under construction in Barrow. The ship was commissioned into the RN in early 2003 and as her first Commanding Officer he led her through a testing first of class trials programme and into full operational service in April 2004. He was appointed CBE in 2005.

Promoted to Commodore in October 2004, he had a short period leading the Fleet Personnel division before moving to Ministry of Defence as the Director of Naval Resources and Plans in September 2005. Thereafter, in early 2008, he returned to operational command duties as the Commander of the Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) during which he commanded a maritime Coalition Task Force in the Gulf for 5 months and then led the RN Taurus deployment to the Far East from his Flagship HMS BULWARK.

On promotion to Rear Admiral in June 2009, he was appointed as Commander UK Maritime Force (COMUKMARFOR), the UK’s contingent 2 Star maritime component commander and as Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force for Counter Piracy and Humanitarian operations off Somalia.

EUNAVFOROperation Commander EU Naval ForceRear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE

European UnionNAVAL FORCE

Rear Admiral Thorsten Kähler joined the German Navy in 1973 as an officer candidate and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1975. He studied Economic Sciences and earned an academic degree of Diplom-Kaufmann in 1977. In 1978 he specialized as submarine weapons officer and commenced a series of appointments as weapons and operations officer onboard German Navy submarines.

In 1982/83 he served as exchange officer and instructor onboard the French cadet training ship “Jeanne d’Arc”, followed by a Principle Warfare Officers long course at the Netherlands Navy Operations School in Den Helder, where he also specialized in Anti Submarine Warfare.

1984 to 1987 he served onboard German Frigates before being promoted to Commander (JG) and assigned to the Standing Naval Force Atlantic as staff officer Anti Submarine Warfare.

1988 he attended the Command and Staff course at the Federal Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Hamburg.

In 1990 he subsequently became Executive Officer of FGS “Bayern”, a German Navy destroyer, where he was promoted to Commander (SG). Thereafter he served as staff officer long-term planning and training at destroyer flotilla staff in Wilhelmshaven. In 1995 he became the first Commanding Officer of the newly-built 123 class frigate “Bayern”.

In 1998 he started his first tour of duties as desk officer in the Ministry of Defence in Bonn and Berlin. This included specialisations in Conventional Arms Control, Military Politics, and Planning of German Armed Forces Foreign Deployments.

In 2001 he went back to sea, when he assumed command of 6 Frigate Squadron in Wilhelmshaven. His time as a Squadron Commander included a deployment as Chief of Staff CTF 150 in the framework of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Captain in 2003.

Following his time in command of 6 Frigate Squadron he served at NATO Headquarters Brussels in the International Staff as a specialist for NATO Force Planning.

In 2005 he became a branch chief in the Policy Planning and Advisory Staff of the Minister of Defence in Berlin.

On promotion to Rear Admiral (LH) in 2006 he was appointed Deputy Director of the Policy Planning and Advisory Staff of the Minister of Defence.

In April 2009 he was nominated as Deputy Commander EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and took over responsibilities in June 2009.

EUNAVFORDeputy Operation Commander EU Naval ForceRear Admiral Thorsten Kähler

European UnionNAVAL FORCEEUNAVFORForce CommanderEU Naval ForceCommodore Pieter J. Bindt

Commodore Pieter Bindt was born in Bussum on the 4th October 1959. He entered the Naval College in 1978. On completion he joined the Submarine Service. In January 1989 he moved to Helensburgh, Scotland, for two and a half years to work in the Submarine Tactics and Weapons Group as UK/NL Staff Officer Diesel Submarines and NL liaison officer. In September 1992, after completing the British Submarine Command Course (RN SMCC), he served as Commanding Officer of HNLMS Zeeleeuw. Amongst several exercises and other operations, he patrolled the coast of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and facilitated on board the last Royal Navy diesel Submarine Command Course.

Late 1994 he joined the Naval Staff, Bureau of Operational Requirements, as Staff Officer Submarines for nearly two years. Afterwards he served as Executive Officer on board the M-class frigate HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes. In May 1998 he completed the Advanced Staff Course at the Inter Service Defence College and the Netherlands institute for international relations “Clingendael”. On completion he was “Teacher” of the NL Submarine Command Course, teaching both Dutch and foreign students. From September 2000 until late 2001 he commanded HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes. After this, he was posted as Navy Planner of the National Plans department in the Ministry of Defense. Thereafter he was Commanding Officer of LPD HNLMS Rotterdam.

In January 2007 he was appointed Commander Netherlands Maritime Force (COMNLMARFOR) and for NRF12 Commander Amphibious Task Force of the Netherlands/Norwegian NRF amphibious capability modules.

Commodore Bindt is married and has two sons.

European UnionNAVAL FORCEEUNAVFORForce Commander*EU Naval ForceRear Admiral Giovanni Gumiero

R.Adm. GUMIERO is a native of Rome, Italy. He joined the Italian Naval Academy in 1975 and was commissioned in 1979.

He served in various Submarines (ITS TOTI, ITS BAGNOLINI, ITS MARCONI, ITS ROMEI, ITS SAURO) and Surface Ships (ITS DANAIDE, ITS VITTORIO VENETO). He Commanded ITS ROMEI from 1986 to 1987, ITS SAURO from 1989 to 1991, ITS DANAIDE from 1993 to 1994 and ITS VITTORIO VENETO from 2001 to 2002.

From 1995 to 1996, he attended the Italian Naval War Institute and the Joint Services Staff College. He held an university degree in maritime and naval sciences.

Ashore, R.Adm. GUMIERO served as an Operations Staff Officer, Plans Section, in the HQ of the Commander Chief of the Italian Fleet (CINCNAV), in S. Rosa (Rome); from 1994 to 1995, as Officer in Charge of the Operation Office of the Italian Submarine Command and Operational Authority (MARICOSOM). From September 1996 to August 1999, he was assigned to the Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic (SACLANT), as Staff Officer Long Term Armaments Programs, Undersea Warfare Armaments Programs. From September 1999, he was assigned to the NATO/WEU Policy Branch in the Italian Navy General Staff and, then, as Branch Head, to the NATO/EU Force Planning Branch, in the Italian Defence General Staff. From November 2002 to April 2004, he was assigned as the Chief of the Naval Policy Branch and Deputy Chief of the 3rd Division – Plans and Policy of the Italian Navy General Staff. From April 2004 to September 2007, he was assigned as the Chief of the International Relations Branch to the Italian Defense General Staff. From September 2007 to June 2008, he was assigned as Commander of the Italian Mine Countermeasure Forces (COMFORDRAG) in LA SPEZIA, and then, from July 2008, as Commander of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) for a full year up to June 2009. He reported to the present duties in August 2009. He was promoted Rear Admiral on the 1st of January, 2008.

R.Adm. GUMIERO was involved in Operation SHARP GUARD as CO of ITS DANAIDE. As COMSNMG2 he launched and conducted the first ever NATO counter piracy operation, Operation Allied Provider (OAP), in the Gulf of Aden (GOA) and along the Somali coastline, mission which included also the escort and protection of the WFP chartered vessels carrying Humanitarian aids to Somalia. His personal decorations include Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, Distinguished Navy Service (25 years) Award, Distinguished Service at Sea (15 years) Award, Mauritiana Medal, Distinguished Command Award, Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory Pope, the Italian, NATO, WEU Mission Service Awards and the Italian Defence General Staff Honour Award.

*Middle December 2009

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

Aim and Mandate

Chain of Command

EU NAVAL OPERATION AGAINST PIRACY

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 and 1846 which were adopted in 2008 by the United Nations Security Council.

Its mandate is to contribute to:

• The protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia;

• The protection of vulnerable vessels sailing in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.

• Employ the necessary measures, including the use of force, to deter, prevent and intervene in order to bring to an end acts of piracy and armed robbery which may be committed in the areas where they are present.

This operation - the European Union’s first naval operation - is being conducted in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

The Political and Security Committee (PSC)exercises the political control and strategicdirection of the EU military operation, underthe responsibility of the Council of theEuropean Union. For its part, the EuropeanUnion Military Committee (EUMC) monitorsthe correct execution of the operation conducted under the responsibility of theOperation Commander.

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson (UK) commands the operation from the Operational 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 currently is Commodore Pieter J. Bindt of the Royal Netherlands Navy. He and his staff are embarked on the flagship HNLMS Evertsen to lead the units of EU NAVFOR in the Area of Operations.

EU NAVFOR ship Rheinland - Pfalz fends off Pirate attack

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

The operation which was scheduled for an initial period of twelve months has now been extended by the council until Dec 2010. During this period up to 12 EU ships and a number MPA will operate at any one time.

At the present time, eight EU member states are making a permanent operational contribution to the operation: Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg and Greece. Contributions from third countries such as Norway are participating as well. Also, a number of Cypriot, Irish, Finnish, Maltese and Sweden military personnel supplement the team at the Northwood Operation Headquarters.

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 GDP, mainly covers the running costs of the OHQ and

the FHQ. The common costs for supplying the force are shared by the contributing countries and established according to their involvement in the operation, with each country continuingto bear the cost of the resources it implements.

The military personnel involved in the operation can arrest, detain and transfer persons who are suspected of, or who have committed, acts of piracy or armed robbery in the areas where they are present. They can seize the vessels of the pirates or the vessels captured following an act of piracy or an armed robbery and which are in the hands of the pirates, as well as the goods on board. The suspects can be prosecuted, as appropriate, by an EU member state or by Kenya under the agreement signed with the EU on 6 March 2009 giving the Kenyan authorities the right to prosecute.

The European naval force operates in a zone comprising the south of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and part of the Indian Ocean, which now includes the Seychelles, which represents an area comparable to that of the Mediterranean. A considerable international Naval presence is now in this zone and provide permanent or temporary backup to the action conducted by the European naval force. The EU NAVFOR operation is in permanent liaison with these forces (CTF-151, NATO Maritime Group, Russian, Indian, Japanese and Chinese vessels).

Signing of the agreement between theEuropean Union and Kenya on 6 March 2009

Operational Parameters

Dolo Bay

Wajir

CadaleMahadday

Weym

Saylac

BooramaTogwajaale

Bullaxaar Berbera

Karin Xiis Maydh LaasqorayQandala

Butyaalo

Bandar Murcaayo

CaluulaBreeda

Bargaal

Hurdiyo

Xaafuun

BandarbeylaDudo

Qardho

Taxeex

Iskushuban

Xudun

Gori Rit

Buuhoodle

Kiridh

Garadag

Oodweyne

Eyl

Garacad

XamureSeemadeBeyra

Berdaale

War Galoh

HilalayaMirsaale

Hobyo

BaxdoMereer-Gur

Ceel BuurXarardheere

DerriBuulobarde CeeldheereTayeeglow

Ceel Huur

BalcadAfgooye

WanlaweynBuurhakaba

Diinsoor

Qoryooley

Baraawe

Haaway

Jilib

Jamaame

Afmadow

Bilis Qooqaani

Luuq

El Beru Hagia

Buur Gaabo

Baardheere

Werder

Shilabo

K'ebri Dahar

Degeh Bur

Gode

Hargele

ImiMegalo

Asayita

Nazret

Dire Dawa

Jijiga

Dikhil

Garsen Lamu

Harer

Ferfer

Bu'aale

Hargeysa

Burco (Burao)

BakiCeerigaabo (Erigavo)

Boosaaso (Bender Cassim)

Garoowe

Gaalkacyo (Galcaio)

Dhuusamarreeb(Dusa Marreb)

Beledweyne

Xuddur(Oddur)

Garbahaarrey Baydhabo (Baidoa)

Marka (Merca)

Jawhar (Giohar)

Kismaayo (Chisimayu)

Laascaanood

Muqdisho (Mogadishu)

Djibouti

GEDO

BAY

BAKOOLHIRAAN

GALGUDUUD

M U D U G

NUGAAL

S O O L

AWDAL B A R IS A N A A G

TOGDHEER

WOQOOYIGALBEED

SHABELLEDHEXE

BANADIRSHABELLE

HOOSE

JUBAHOOSE

JUBADHEXE

ETHIOP IA

DJIBOUTI

KENYA

Raas MaskanRaas

Khansiir

RaasSurud

GeesGwardafuy

RaasBinna

RaasXaafuun

RaasGabbac

RaasKaambooni

IsoleGiuba

Karkaar Mountains

G U L F O F A D E N

I N D I A N O C E A N

SililD

er

Dahot Darro

Jacee

Eyl

Webi Shabeelle

Webi Jubba

SOMALIA

Department of Peacekeeping OperationsCartographic Section

Map No. 3690 Rev. 7 UNITED NATIONSJanuary 2007

The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

SOMALIA

0

0

100 200 km

50

50 150

100 mi

National capitalRegional capitalTown, villageAirportInternational boundaryRegional boundaryIndeterminate boundaryMain roadTrackRailroad

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

“WFP remains extremely grateful to the EU for committing itself to escorting ships carrying WFP food for 2009, giving us the long-term protection that our shipments need, especially in view of the increasing need for assistance.” *

Each merchant vessel wishing to transit through the Gulf of Aden or off the coast of Somalia is requested to register in advance on the website of the Maritime Security Center-Horn of Africa (www.mschoa.eu), which was set up at the beginning of the operation to facilitate the coordination of maritime traffic.

This initiative, which was welcomed by the whole community of shipowners and merchant navies, makes it possible for vessels that observe EU NAVFOR recommendations to know what arrangements are in place and in some cases, close military protection will be provided thus reducing the risk of attacks or capture.

HistoryA Comprehensive European Approach

Operation EU NAVFOR is part of the global actionconducted by the EU in the Horn of Africa todeal with the Somali crisis, which has political,security and humanitarian aspects.

The EU supports the Djibouti process for peace and reconciliation in Somalia, facilitated by the UN. In this context, the EU welcomed the election ofPresident Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed on 30 January 2009. The EU is multiplying its efforts to support the peace process and has called on all parties in Somalia to ease the suffering of the population and to seize this opportunity to work towards therestoration of security, stability and development in Somalia. The government also has the task ofdelivering a new constitution, to be adopted byreferendum, and of setting up democraticallyelected institutions by the end of the transitionperiod in August 2011.

The EU and its member states support the AfricanUnion’s military mission to Somalia (AMISOM)financially, in terms of planning and capacitybuilding, in order to increase, in particular, the

efficiency of the Somali police force and to combat any abuse and serious violation ofhuman rights. The Joint Strategy Paper forSomalia for 2008 2013 provides an allocationof EUR 215,8 million under the EC’s 10thEuropean Development Fund (EDF) It coversthree main sectors of cooperation: governance,education and rural development. Theissue of the security of maritime routes isalso included in the European Commission’s2009-2011 indicative programme.

*Source: UN World Food Programme - Public Affairs Office East Africa.

Since escorts began in late 2007, not a single ship carrying WFP food to ports in Somalia has been attacked by pirates.

Under the EU Atalanta operation, which start-ed in December 2008, WFP has delivered more than 386,420 metric tons of food into Somalia through Mogadishu, Merka, Bossaso, Berbera ports.

VESSELS ESCORTED BY EU NAVFORFOR THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Number of Somalis fed:on average, more than 1,600,000 each day

Number ofescorts

51

Tonnes offood delivered

more than290,526.01

from 8/12/2008to 21/8/2009

STOCKHOLM alongside TROSSOEshowing EU-insignia

World Food Programme

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

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.

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.

MSC-HOA Website - www.mschoa.eu - over 5 350 registered User at Present

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.

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

FORCEwww.eunavfor.eu

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

Current unitsNation Unit

EU NAVFOR FORCE COMPOSITION

Maritime Patrol Aircraft hailed from France, Germany, Luxemburg and Spain FHQ SA (based in Djibouti) hailed from several member states.

BNS LOUISE MARIE

HS ADRIAS

ITS ETNA

HNLMS EVERTSEN

FGS BREMEN

ESPS CANARIAS

FS FLOREAL

HNOMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN

*Middle December 2009

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

MISSIONwww.eunavfor.eu

OPERATION ATALANTAEU NAVFOR

Imprint

John HarbourCommander Royal NavyTel: +44 (0) 1923 9 58693Mob: +44 (0) 7540 417378E-Mail: spokesperson@eunavfor.eu

European Union Naval ForceEuropean Union Operation HQNorthwood HeadquartersSandy Lane - NorthwoodMiddlesex - HA6 3HP

Tel: +44 (0) 1923 9 58611Mobile: +44 (0) 7762 784746E-Mail: media@eunavfor.eu

www.eunavfor.euwww.mschoa.euwww.consilium.europa.eu/esdpwww.consilium.europa.eu/eunavfor-somalia

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