Goodbye: "U 35" deployment in the Mediterranean

Submarine "U 35" left its home port of Eckernförde today and will take part in the EU operation "Irini".

Frigate Captain Strauch bid farewell to the crew in the presence of their families

The boat and its crew were bid farewell by the squadron commander, frigate captain Frédéric Strauch (44), on their four-month deployment. Around 50 members of the crew were also present. Under the command of Corvette Captain Oliver Brux (34), the 29-strong crew of the boat will be travelling to warmer waters for just over four months. The maximum capacity of 36 people will be fully utilised by embarking some additional students from the squadron, who will use this opportunity for intensive training on board.

"After the long and arduous preparations for the mission, the crew is very much looking forward to the upcoming mission. It is both a reward and a burden. Both the crew and their families at home will be equally challenged. Only together is it possible to tackle such a long absence of over four months with the necessary composure," says the commander, looking ahead to the long, long journey to the deployment.

Tradition: Departure to the sounds of the Naval Music Corpss

The boat will be travelling to the area of operation for around three weeks, including a supply stop in Rota, Spain. The area of operation extends from the central and southern Mediterranean south of the island of Sicily to the territorial waters of Libya and Tunisia. The mission of the European Union's Operation Irini is to monitor and enforce the arms embargo against Libya, but also to disrupt smuggling activities on the refugee routes in the Mediterranean. U 35" will be based in several harbours in Italy and the island of Malta. In addition, a longer harbour stay with the possibility of family reunification on the Greek island of Crete is planned around the middle of the mission. The boat and crew are expected to return to their home port of Eckernförde in mid-October. The long journey home will once again be interrupted by a supply stop, this time in the Portuguese capital Lisbon.

Members of the "GOLF" crew on the pier

U 35 leaving the home port of Eckernförde

TEXT: PIZ Press Office Kiel, PHOTOS: Marcel Kröhncke