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Allied Maritime Command Chief of Staff Completes Handover

NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom – Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio (Italian Navy) formally handed over the duties and responsibilities of Allied Maritime Command Chief of Staff to Rear Admiral Eugene Diaz del Rio, (Spanish Navy) at the Allied Maritime Command Headquarters in Northwood, UK this week.

Admiral Lazio assumed the duties of Chief of Staff three years ago when the headquarters was in the process of consolidation and transformation from two maritime component commands to a single Allied Maritime Command responsible for all four Standing NATO Maritime Groups and Operations Sea Shield and Active Endeavour.

As the Chief of Staff, Admiral Lazio led the staff from the initial stages of consolidation to the achievement of full operational capability for the headquarters. His leadership helped to steer MARCOM to where it is today, a trusted maritime entity, fully engaged in operational activities throughout the region.

"It has been a busy and very challenging experience and at the same time very rewarding. It has been a pleasure to lead this staff and I wish the very best to Admiral Diaz del Rio as he goes forward,” said Admiral Lazio.  

Admiral Diaz del Rio is coming to MARCOM from a position as the Chief of the Plans & Policy Division in the Spanish Navy General Staff. He is no stranger to working within NATO, having served in a number of NATO positions, most recently as the Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) from June 2013 to July 2014.

"I’m returning to a house which gave me found memories. I look forward to working with this excellent staff and accepting the new responsibilities, new opportunities and new challenges ahead. It is a privilege for me to work with such a group of people from the best navies of the world.” said Admiral Diaz del Rio.