On Sunday 7 December Djiboutian Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed graciously awarded Commander Bernard Baron (French Navy) the rank and dignity of Officer of the National Order of 27th of June.

Commander Baron was presented with the award for his ‘outstanding service and assistance given to the Djiboutian Authorities during his time as the European Union Naval Force Liaison Officer for Operation Atalanta and Officer in Charge of Support Element Atalanta (SEA) based in Djibouti.’

Operation Atalanta is the EU’s counter piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and Djibouti is a key partner and logistic hub for EU Naval Force warships in the region.

Raising him to the rank of Officer of the National Order of the 27^th of June, the Prime Minister congratulated Commander Baron for the quality of service he gave to the Djiboutian government in general and to the Coast Guard Corps in particular.