On 13 January 2023, Italian Deputy Commander (DCOM) Rear Admiral Paolo Spagnoletta handed over EU NAVFOR ATALANTA Deputy Command to French Rear Admiral Hilaire Ducellier.
Rear Admiral Spagnoletta served as Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander for six months, supporting and exercising command in absence of the Operation Commander (OPCDR) of EUNAVFOR, Vice Admiral (VADM) José María Nuñez Torrente.
During his time serving as Deputy Commander, DCOM Spagnoletta highlighted that: “I have had an extremely stimulating time during my assignment to the Atalanta Operation Headquarters (OHQ). I experienced the important phase in which the operation has been adapting to new regional scenarios and which culminated with the new mandate of 12 December last year. Without losing the distinctive character of anti-piracy operation, Atalanta has taken the first steps to become a comprehensive maritime security provider in the North-Western Indian Ocean, a role that will certainly perform with the same effectiveness shown in the last 14 years. I leave the post with the most heartfelt sentiment of gratitude towards all men and women, military and civilian, who daily contribute with their commitment to the success of the operation both at sea and ashore.”
At the same time, the Operation Commander thanked outgoing DCOM: “Ammiraglio, dear Paolo, it has been a privilege to have had you as DCOM during these months in the OHQ. I wish you the best professional and personal success in your new destination, but the OHQ is also your home from now on.”
Finally, the OPCDR also drew special attention to R. Adm. Hilaire Ducellier, new EUNAVFOR ATALANTA DCOM: “I warmly welcome Rear Admiral Hilaire Ducellier as the new DCOM. His great experience and extraordinary competences are an added value to the Operation. Welcome on board!”
R. Adm. Hilaire Ducellier’s extensive military career includes his service on the Frigates “Georges Leygues” and “La Motte-Picquet”, as well as the Destroyer “Tourville”. During this appointment, the ship was deployed in the Indian Ocean as flagship of the Euromarfor for the operations Resolute Behaviour and Enduring Freedom. In June 2009, he took command of the Maritime Operation Center in Brest, responsible for operations at sea for CECLANT/CTF 451 and PREMAR ATLANT. Promoted Rear Admiral, he was appointed from 2019 to 2022 as Deputy Chief Of Staff Plans of NATO JFC Norfolk in Virginia (USA). Since today, new Operation ATALANTA DCOM.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains fully committed to support regional governments in the combined effort for enhancement of peace and stability in the region and the development and improvement of maritime security.