Commander JFC Brunssum Visits French Maritime Forces and Exercise Brilliant Mariner

Toulon, France – General Salvatore Farina, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, met with Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas, Commander of the French Maritime Forces (FRA MARFOR) on 28 September. FRA MARFOR were making final preparations for their main exercise (BRILLIANT MARINER (BRMR)) of 2017, which started the day after the visit and is intended to certify the Command for its role as part of the NATO Response Force 2018 (NRF 18).

During an insightful visit General Farina was given a tour of the Horizon-class frigate Chevalier Paul (CHP) and of the FS Mistral, the flagship for BRMR17, where he met with subordinate maritime commanders. Rear Admiral Lebas invited the leadership of the NRF 18 maritime package to conduct a Commanders’ Conceptual Training in order to set the scene for the upcoming NRF 18 stand-by phase for the maritime domain. General Farina, being responsible for the readiness and potential employment of all NRF 18 forces, was very grateful for the opportunity to directly address his maritime commanders. He emphasized the necessity to act as a cohesive team and urged ‘total commitment to BRMR17 in order to be best prepared for the upcoming NRF 18 period and potential follow-on tasks.’ The visit included a meeting with the French Commander-in-Chief for the Mediterranean, Vice Admiral Charles-Henri du Ché, and his Deputy (Operations), Rear Admiral Jean-Frédéric Plobner, where current challenges in the maritime domain throughout Southern Europe were discussed.

The visit was very helpful to strengthen relationships within the maritime element NRF 18 force package. Importantly, General Farina witnessed for himself that FRA MARFOR are on the right track for their NRF commitment next year.

Story by JFC Brunssum Public Affairs Office