NR 21-02<br /><br />02 September 2002<br /><br />STANDING NAVAL FORCE MEDITERRANEAN CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY - 13 SEPTEMBER 2002<br /><br />The Change of Command for NATO's Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) will take place in Aksaz, Turkey on September 13, 2002. <br /><br />Commodore Angus SOMERVILLE, Royal Navy, Commander Standing Naval Force Mediterranean will hand over the Command to Commodore Philip WIRTH, Royal Netherlands Navy.<br /><br />During Commodore SOMERVILLE?s time in command, STANAVFORMED has conducted Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR, NATO?s maritime operation in the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the international campaign against terrorism. The Force also carried out intensive sea training, including participation in NATO Exercises DOGFISH, CO-OPERATIVE PARTNER and DYNAMIC MIX. In addition, STANAVFORMED has visited ports in Algeria and Romania as well as several NATO ports around the Mediterranean. <br /><br />Mr Dirk BARTH, Secretary General of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, will be the Guest of Honour at this ceremony. Vice Admiral Luigi Lillo, IT Navy, Commander Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe will also attend. <br /><br />The following ships will be in Aksaz for the Change of Command Ceremony: <br /><br />HMS CHATHAM, frigate, United Kingdom (Outgoing Flagship)<br />HNLMS WITTE DE WITH, frigate, Netherlands (Incoming Flagship)<br />FGS MOELDERS, destroyer, Germany<br />TCG GEDIZ, frigate, Turkey<br />HS AEGEAN, frigate, Greece<br />SPS ASTURIAS, frigate, Spain <br /><br />STANAVFORMED was formed on 30 April 1992, in Naples (Italy). Its mission is to provide a maritime presence throughout the NATO area, or beyond if required, to contribute to the enhancement of NATO maritime capability, to contribute to NATO?s dialogue and cooperation activities through port visits, and to be prepared to carry out any contingency operations.<br /><br />NOTE TO EDITORS: There will be a news conference on board HMS CHATHAM in AKSAZ Naval Base, Turkey following the Change of Command Ceremony at 1200, Friday 13 September 2002. <br />Journalists, photojournalists and video journalists who are interested in attending the ceremony and/or the news conference should register with the CINCTURNAV PIO in Ankara at: 0090 312 4032827 by 1600 5 September 2002.<br /><br />Points of contact for enquiries:<br /><br />RHQ AFSOUTH PIO: +39 081 721 2437 or Duty PIO +39 335 460322 CINCTURNAV PIO +90 312 4032827<br /><br />Note: More information about STANAVFORMED is available at the page www.afsouth.nato.int/factsheets/STANAVFORMEDFactSheet.htm <br />More information about Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR is available at the page www.afsouth.nato.int/operations/Endeavour/Default.HTM