France takes command of maritime task force based in Djibouti

DJIBOUTI (AFP) Sep 29, 2003
The French navy on Monday took control from Germany of a six-nation task force tasked with surveillance in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean as part of the anti-terrorist operation "Enduring Freedom".

At a ceremony on board German frigate the Brandenburg, German Rear Admiral Manfred Nielson handed control of the allied naval fleet, "Task Force 150", to his French counterpart Jacques Mazars.

French ambassador to Djibouti Patrick Roussel, Djibouti army chief General Fathi Ahmed, and vice-admiral Alain Dumontet were among those who witnessed the handover ceremony.

Also present were the commanding officer of French forces stationed in Djibouti, General Gerard Pons, and US General Martin Robeson, who is commanding officer of allied land forces based in the Horn of Africa engaged in the international coalition against terrorism.

"Task Force 150" is made up of around 1,000 soldiers stationed on nine warships flying the flags of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United States.

WAR.WIRE