The Operational Headquarters (OHQ) for EU NAVFOR is in the final stages of its move from Northwood, UK to Rota, Spain and to Brest, France. The handover will take place on the 29th March 2019.

To commemorate the imminent move of the OHQ in Northwood and the Transfer of Authority to OHQ Rota the Operation Commander, Major General Charlie Stickland welcomed guests from the EU, the UK Ministry of Defence, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and from the Maritime Industry.

Both the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Claudio Graziano and the UK Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Carter delivered speeches to the gathered EU NAVFOR personnel. The speeches recognized the sterling performance of the UK in its’ Framework Nation role during the last 10 years of Op Atalanta in accordance with  EU Common Security and Defence Policy operations.