The Political and Security Committee decided in June 2011 to appoint Rear Admiral Duncan POTTS  Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force Atalanta Operation combating piracy off the  Somali coast. 

Rear Admiral POTTS took up his duties on 1 August 2011 when the Decision (2011/341/CFSP) entered  into force and the mandate of the current Operation Commander, Major-General Buster  HOWES, expired. 

EU Naval Force Atalanta Operation was launched on 8 December 2008 in support of UN  Security Council resolutions adopted in 2008. It is conducted under the Common Security and Defence Policy and is the first naval operation to have been launched by the EU.