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New Operation Commander for EU Naval Force Somalia appointed piracy

The Political and Security Committee today appointed a new Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia – EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA, which aims to prevent piracy andarmed robbery off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean.
Major General Martin Smith MBE, Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces, will take up the post of Operation Commander of Operation ATALANTA on 28 August. He will replace Rear Admiral Robert Tarrant, who has commanded the EU’s counter piracy mission since 16 January 2013. Operation ATALANTA was launched in December 2008 under the Common Security and Defence Policy and is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach for a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia. The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia and shipping of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Martin Smith (pictured left) joined the Royal Marines in 1984 having completed a degree in zoology at Bristol University. He served as a troop commander in Northern Ireland and Norway, a Forward Air Controller and a Mortar Troop Commander in his first four years. The early 90s saw him specialise in reconnaissance, including a deployment to Operation DESERT STORM in 1991. He attended Royal Navy Staff Course in 1995, where he completed a MA in Defence Studies.
In 1996 and 1997 he served as an Operations Officer, before moving to Headquarters Royal Marines as Staff Officer to the Chief of Staff. He was awarded the MBE in 1998 and was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1999. During 2000 and 2001 he worked in the Operations Division of the Perm anent Joint Headquarters.
After the terrorist incidents of 11 September 2001, he deployed to US CENTCOM in Tampa with the initial UK advisory team, returning to Britain In November of that year as Second in Command of 45 Commando. His tour of duty with 45 Commando in cluded Operation JACANA in Afghanistan. During Operation TELIC 1 in Iraq, he served as a Deputy Chief of Operations within the multinational headquarters, subsequently taking command of the United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group, now 30 Commando IX Group, the unit responsible for reconnaissance, intelligence and communications within 3 Commando Briga de.
From May 2005, he served in the MOD Directorate of Joint Commitments before promotion to Colonel in August 2006 and a move to FLEET Operations as head of Plans. He became Deputy Commander 3 Commando Brigade in July 2008, commanding Battle Group Centre South in Afghanistan (Op HERRICK 9) and the Landing Force for the TAURUS deployment to the Far East.
A period in the MOD Naval Staff was followed by promotion to Brigadier and a move to the Defence Reform Unit. He commanded 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines from November 2011 until June 2013 and then attended the Royal College of Defence Studies for a year. On promotion to Major General in June 2014, he became Commandant General Royal Marines (CGRM) and
Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces (COMUKAMPHIBFOR).
Martin is married to Sue and lives in Scotland. His hobbies include mountaineering, sea kayaking and sailing.
Source: Council of the European Union