Brigadier General Francesco Agresti

• Joined the ITAF in 1984. 
• 1989-2002: FBA and recce pilot in Treviso, Villafranca and Istrana (G-91, AMX);
• 2002-2003: at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham (UK), attending the Advanced Command and Staff Course-6;
• 2003-2007: at the Inspectorate of Flight Safety, Rome, as chief of the Prevention branch; 
• 2007-2009: at the 32nd Wing, Amendola, as wing commander (AMX, MQ-1);
• 2009-2013: at the ITAF Ops Command, Rome, as chief of Training and, later, chief of A5-Plans;
• 2013-2014: at the Italian Joint Air Task Force, FSB Herat, Afghanistan, as commander (AMX, MQ-1/9, C-130J, EC-27J);
• 2014-2017: at the 1St SOF Aviation Brigade, Cervia, as commander;
• 2017-2020: at the European Air Transport Command (EATC), Eindhoven (NL), ad deputy commander;
• 2020-today: at the Inspectorate of Aviation for the Navy, Rome, as Inspector (P-72A).

Capitaine de Frégate Alexandre Arkwright

 Lieutenant-commander « Alex » Arkwright entered the French Naval Academy in september 2003. After completing his officer training on the helicopter carrier Jeanne d’Arc, he joined the anti-aircraft frigate Jean Bart in 2007 as officer of the watch. In 2009, he became naval flying officer and joined the french navy 4th squadron on Grumman E-2C Hawkeye as airborne fighter controller. From 2009 to 2017, he was deployed with the french carrier strike group as fighter controller aboard the lone carrier-based Early warning Hawkeye. He took part in many operational cruises and operations at sea and in the air : over Afghanistan in 2010, over Libya in 2011, in the arabian gulf in 2012, in Iraq and syria to fight DAECH between 2014 and 2023 and more rescently to defend east-flank nato airspace. He became commanding officer of the 4th squadron until summer 2023. Then, he was appointed deputy chief of strategic office of the French Space Command in Paris. LTCDR Alexandre Arkwright is married and father of three. He is Knight of the Legion of Honor. He flighted 2300 hours and 130 combat missions on Hawkeye.

Capitaine de Frégate Johann Eidesheim

Commander Johann Eidesheim joins the Navy in 1993. Following his Flight Navigator and Radar Operator course, he is assigned to the Maritime Patrol Squadron 21F in Nîmes-Garons and participates in many operational missions. From 1998, he holds the position of tactical coordinator on ATL2 and stands out positively during several operational deployments.

In 2001, appointed Deputy Liaison Officer on board of two American aircraft carriers as part of "Enduring Freedom" operation, he is the aeronautic adviser of the coalition Commander. Coming back to a Maritime Patrol Squadron, he participates in numerous operational missions: Djibouti, "Licorne" operation (Ivory Coast), "Epervier/Dorca'' operation (Chad).

In 2009, he joins the training department at the Naval Air Station of Lann-Bihoué. Appointed course director, he is in charge of the tactical training for the maritime patrol crews. In November 2010, he is nominated as ATL2 adviser within the "Sahel" crisis cell for the planning and control operation centre of the military headquarters.

In 2011, he is appointed to the Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Patrol Center of Expertise (CENTEX PATSIMAR). Qualified Forward Air Controller Airborne (FAC-A), he participates in “Harmattan” operation (Libya) then Serval (Mali).

In 2014, he is appointed to MARCOM in Northwood (UK) as operational planner. In September 2019, graduated of War College, he is appointed within the Navy Operational Headquarters in charge of Navy Air operational employment and doctrine.

The Commander Johann Eidesheim is currently commanding the Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Patrol Center of Expertise (CENTEX PATSIMAR).

Totalling more than 5000 flying hours, 22 deployments on operational theatres, he is awarded the Legion of Honour, the National Order of Merit as well as three unit awards for combat missions.

Captain Bryan Hager

CAPT Hager earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University in 2000, graduating magna cum laude. He earned his Naval Aviator Wings in December 2001 flying with the VT-28 Rangers and VT-35 Stingrays.
CAPT Hager’s initial fleet tour was with Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN from 2002-2005. He completed two deployments, one to 6th Fleet and one to 5th Fleet/6th Fleet in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. From 2005-2008, CAPT Hager was in instructor pilot at Patrol Squadron THIRTY, the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet (MPRF) Replacement Squadron. Concurrently, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and completed Joint Professional Military Education one.
From 2008-2010, CAPT Hager served as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer onboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). In 2009 and 2010, he deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. CAPT Hager then spent one year with Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group staff as the Assistant Exercise Officer.
He was assigned as a Department Head to Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN from 2011-2013. As the Maintenance Officer, he led the War Eagles through the first P-3C to P-8A transition, inaugural Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC), and preparations for the initial P-8A operational deployment.
In 2013, he reported to Naval Operations (OPNAV) staff to serve as the Assistant P-3C and P-8A Requirements Officer for the Director Air Warfare (N98) for two years. He led the requirement prioritization process for future P-8A Increments, coordinating with NAVAIR and the Fleet to facilitate the transition from the P-3C to the P-8A.
CAPT Hager became the Executive Officer of Patrol Squadron FOUR while on deployment in the 6th Fleet and 4th Fleet in 2016. Following this split deployment, he led the squadron on its Permanent Duty Station Change from Kaneohe Bay, HI to Whidbey Island, WA. On arrival, the squadron began its transition from the P-3C to the P-8A, the first on the West Coast. He then took over as Commanding Officer in 2017 and ushered the squadron through its initial P-8A IDRC and subsequent deployment to 7th Fleet.
From 2018-2020, CAPT Hager was assigned to the Naval Personnel Command serving first as the MPRF Commander Detailer and then the Assistant Aviation Captain Detailer where he was responsible for the assignment, distribution, and management of over 630 Aviation Captains.
In 2020, he was selected for the SECNAV Tour with Industry program and spent 10 months with FedEx learning commercial best practices that could be brought back to the Fleet. He was subsequently selected for Major Command as the Commander, Task Force-67 in 2022.
CAPT Hager’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), and various campaign, service, and unit awards.

Captain Clay Waddill

CAPT (S) Waddill is a native of Vero Beach, Florida. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Florida State University in 1997 and was later, commissioned through the Officer Candidate School Program at NAS Pensacola, FL in March 2002. He earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings from Training Wing Six in August 2003.
His sea duty assignments include operational tours with Sea Control Squadron (VS) 24, where he deployed to U.S. Fifth Fleet conducting combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, where he deployed to U.S. Seventh and Sixth Fleets and participated in Operation Odyssey Dawn; department head in VP-47, during which the squadron deployed to U.S. Sixth and Seventh Fleet areas of responsibility. He commanded VP-46 on the squadron’s first P-8A deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility where the squadron won the Battle “E”, CNO Safety and Medical Blue “M” awards.
Shore assignments include duty as weapons and tactics instructor with Sea Control Wing Atlantic; instructor TACCO, Evaluator and Weapons Tactics Instructor with VP-30; Assistant Deputy Director of Operations, Operations Team 1, (J33) for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS); Individual Augmentation (IA) tour with Joint Crew Composite Squadron ONE (JCCS-1) out of Bagdad, Iraq; and Plans, Training, and Requirements Branch Head (N5/N7/N8) for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing / Pacific (CPRG/CPRG-P).
His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3) and various service awards and ribbons. However, he is most proud of those awards that recognize unit operational excellence in the exemplary squadrons he was fortunate enough to be part of.

Captain Marian Ciobotaru

Captain (Navy) Marian Ciobotaru, Romanian Navy, was born in Gala?i, Romania in 1972 and is a 1995 graduate of the Romanian Naval Academy.

After his graduation he served in a broad range of sea and ashore operational assignments as Communications Officer, Weapon Engineering Officer, Executive Officer, Commanding Officer in several minesweepers, frigates and Operations Officer in MCM Squadron and Romanian Navy HQ.

His command tours include the frigate RNS Regina Maria. Ashore he served as the Head of Operations and Capabilities Planning Department, Romanian Navy HQ.

CAPT Ciobotaru was deployed with frigates in multiple operations and exercises, among which NATO’s Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea and Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) in the Black Sea.

He has attended a number of military schools and courses among which the Romanian Naval Staff College (National Defense University, 2011) and the U.S. Naval Command College (U.S. Naval War College, 2021).

He assumed 243rd Radio Electronic Surveillance Brigade Commander duties on September 2021.

He has been honored with respective national (General Staff, Navy, Air Force, Communications emblems of honor) and NATO (Article 5 medal) medals and decorations.

Captain Ciobotaru holds a graduate “Diploma in economy” from Constanta University of Economics and Business.

He is married and has a daughter.

Commander (Res.) Derek Schierlmann

Derek Schierlmann is the supervisor for the electrical integration and test section of the spacecraft engineering department in the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. In his 20 years with the Laboratory, Derek has worked on numerous spacecraft covering a variety of missions from space sciences, to intelligence, to robotics. Derek has Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University and Colorado State University respectively, as well as a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. In addition to his civilian career, Derek is a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve where he is the commanding officer of the surge maintenance unit, Des Moines Iowa – which is his third tour as a commanding officer. Commander Schierlmann is a qualified engineering duty officer, is information warfare officer qualified and has earned the highest qualification in space operations. Commander Schierlmann's active duty tours include humanitarian missions in Djibouti Africa, space policy work in the Pentagon, and space support to intelligence tours in CENTCOM, and EUCOM and INDOPACOM.

Commander (Ret'd) Ian Danbury OBE

Ian joined the Royal Navy in 1979 retiring last year after 43 years’ service, he is a graduate of the, now closed, Royal Navy’s Engineering College in Plymouth and is a Chartered Engineer. The early years of his career were spent in both engineering and warfare appointments in Frigates and Destroyers. He served aboard HMS GLASGOW during the Falklands conflict in 1982 and in the Gulf during the tanker wars of the late 80s, he also conducted several Anti-Submarine patrols in the North Atlantic during the height of the Cold War. More latterly he has served in the MOD, shore HQs, as an intelligence analyst and as a Sea Training instructor. He graduated from the NATO Defence College in 2009 and served in the NATO HQ in Naples, Italy and more recently in the NATO HQ in Brussels where he supported capability development and was the lead author of NATO’s Anti-Submarine Warfare vision. He went on to be part the team which formed and then supported the NATO Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative.
Earlier this year he took up a civilian post supporting the Royal Navy’s ASW Spearhead project with a specific focus on NATO engagement and Operational Experimentation. As part of the leadership team of NATO’s ASW Barrier project, he planned and led the execution of the Underwater component of the REPMUS 23 unmanned exercise in Portugal in Sep 23.

Commander Aaron Shiffer

Commander Aaron Shiffer commissioned into the United States Navy in 2000. Initial training pilot training was in the P-3C Orion serving two US operational tours and a 3rd with the Royal Australian Air Force. After completing a tour on board the USS GEORGE HW BUSH, he transitioned to the P-8A Poseidon completing several operational test events with VX-1 for 9 different platforms. His staff tours include Regional Air OPSO for Europe, Africa and Central as well as the Deputy Program Manager Sustainment lead for MQ-4C Triton. Currently he is assigned at the JAPCC, Combat Air Branch, as Maritime Air Operations including Carrier Operations (FW) SME.

Commander Alan Darlington

On completion of his university studies, Alan spent a year working in finance for Lockheed Martin, during which time he was exposed to a number of military projects. This sparked further interest in a career within the Armed Forces and in September 2002, he joined the Royal Navy as potential aircrew.

Early in 2008, having been awarded his ‘wings’, Alan joined 814 Naval Air Squadron and deployed on Op CHOBDAHAR in support of counter piracy, counter narcotics and counter people trafficking operations. The end of 2009, saw Alan return to the home of Merlin training, 824 Naval Air Squadron, as a Staff Aircrew Instructor, primarily responsible for teaching tactics in a simulated environment to trainee pilots during the Operational Conversion Phase of helicopter training.

In 2011, upon completion of the Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Maritime), Alan graduated from the inaugural Joint Maritime Intelligence Course. Assigned as deputy to the Officer in Charge of the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose Intelligence Facility (CSIF), Alan was responsible for developing the roles of the unit to better support the front-line squadrons. His two years within the CSIF also saw him deploy on Op HERRICK, working alongside the Seaking Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft. On his return to RNAS Culdrose, he took the lead in developing the Station’s contribution to Maritime Security Operations.

In 2013, Alan was assigned as the Officer in Charge of Windmill Hill Signal Station. Over his three-year assignment, the unit underwent significant refurbishment and expanded its portfolio to better support the local Command and law enforcement agencies monitor the region and respond to maritime security incidents.

On promotion to Lt Cdr, Alan undertook a six-month tour as the Chief Analyst for the UK Maritime Component Commander, liaising with various partner nations to provide operational support to all RN units operating within the region. This tour was followed by two years seconded to another government department before joining PJHQ as an Operations Plans Officer. In May 2021, Alan assumed the role of Officer in Charge of the Fleet Information Operations Centre.

In May 2023, Alan was promoted to Cdr and was assigned to Navy Digital where he leads on the Royal Navy’s Information Exploitation portfolio, introducing new technologies and ways of working for the Naval community.

Commander Jens Parnow

Jens Parnow joined the German Navy in 2002 to fulfill his mandatory conscription on an Auxiliary Support Ship. He enrolled in the Naval Academy in 2004 and earned a Master's Degree in Economics from the University of the Armed Forces Hamburg.
His expertise lies in naval aviation, serving as a Naval Flight Officer on Maritime Patrol Aircraft. He underwent initial training with the US Navy in 2011, accumulating over 2000 flight hours, primarily on the P-3C Orion as Tactical Coordinator and Mission Commander.
In 2018, he was appointed to the Joint War College, Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, in Hamburg, focusing on national security studies, defense policy and maritime warfare. In 2020, he assumed command of the 2nd Squadron Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin,” operating P-3C and DO228. Since September 2023, he has been serving as the Branch Head of Plans & Policy for COMMARAIR within HQ MARCOM.
He boasts extensive experience in EU and NATO missions and operations, having served with Maritime Patrol Aircraft detachments in the Horn of Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Baltic Sea Region.

Commander Martin Howard

Commander Martin Howard read for a BSc in Theoretical Physics at University College London prior to joining BRNC in September ‘05. He was awarded his Observer Wings in October ‘09 and subsequently joined 854 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) to operate the Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Surveillance and Control (SKASaC). Whilst serving on 854 NAS he completed three tours on OP HERRICK, supported OP OLYMPICS and planned the squadron’s return from land-based operations to the maritime domain. He was selected for the Aerosystems Course and graduated in August 13 with an MSc with Distinction in Aerospace Systems. Three years working as a Trials Officer within the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre at MoD Boscombe Down followed. He was the lead Trials Officer for the CROWSNEST project and led the operational flight test of Lockheed Martin’s proposal. Alongside this, he was involved in/led numerous flight trials evaluating software and hardware modifications to the SKASaC.
Howard returned to RNAS Culdrose in April 16, to complete an abridged Merlin Mk2 conversion at 824 NAS. Thereafter, joining the CROWSNEST Combined Test Team to lead the Merlin Helicopter Force contingent. He participated in a range of rig, ground and flight test activities for the aircraft, training system and ground preparation facility which ultimately culminated in its initial Release To Service.
In July ‘21, Howard assumed Command of 700X NAS and was responsible for training, developing, and operating the Royal Navy’s Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS). He delivered large scale UAS trials and experimentation activities, most notably Heavy Lift Challenge, Advanced Autonomous Force and flights of the Banshee Jet 80+ from HMS Prince of Wales. Alongside a range of other ‘in service’ UAS trials, he was responsible for training over 250 remote pilots and generating PUMA flights for operational tasking / exercises embarked and ashore around the world. On promotion to Commander in July 23, Howard assumed the role of Maritime UAS Programme Manager within the Carrier Strike & Maritime Aviation team in the Develop Directorate in Navy Command HQ.
Married with two young children (12 and 10), free time is at a premium; however, hobbies include kayaking and walking. He has a keen interest in technology. He has completed a BSc in Computing and IT with the Open University and an MSc in Cyber Defence and Information Assurance at Cranfield University. He supports a range of Defence Digital activities associated with coding and machine learning.

Commander Mauro Ghezzi

 Commander GHEZZI was born in Rome on August 10th, 1979. After the Scientific High School in Rome, he attended the Italian Naval Academy from 1999 to 2005, graduating in Political Science with a thesis on the Argentina’s economic crisis.

After graduation, he was selected as naval aviator and trained with the US Navy flight schools in Florida and Texas from 2005 and 2007 earning both airplane and helicopter wings. Back to Italy, he was assigned to the 1st Helicopter Squadron stationed in Luni (SP) where he transitioned to the AW-101 “merlin” and trained in Special Operations air support, including tactical transport, low level and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flights.

From 2007 to 2012 he served in the 1st Helicopter Squadron as Equipment and Weapon section leader and Head of the Special Operations Department. During this period ,in the rank of Lieutenant, he was deployed twice in Afghanistan with “ISAF” and took part in Operation “Unified Protector” in 2011 during the Libyan crisis onboard Italian Aircraft Carrier Garibaldi. In 2012 he attended the “normal course” at the Italian Naval Staff College in Venice.

In 2013 he commanded the Coastal Patrol ship ITS Staffetta.

From 2014 to 2017 he was assigned to the Italian Navy Fleet Air Arm in Rome as Operation Officer. In his role he took an active part in coordinating all ITA Navy air assets in central Mediterranean during the first migrant crisis with Operations “Mare Sicuro” and “Sophia”. In October 2015 he attended the “Information Operations” Course at the NATO School of Oberammergau (Germany).

From 2017 to 2021 he was assigned to the Italian Navy General Staff in Rome in the Naval Aviation Department to serve as Regulations and Standardization Office and then as Joint Strike Fighter Project Officer from October 2018.

In 2019 he graduated with a Master’s degree in “Strategic Studies and International Security” form “Ca Foscari” University in Venice.

From July 2021 to august 2022 he was assigned to the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour as Executive Officer.

From September 2022 to august 2023 he was the Commanding Officer of the frigate ITS Martinengo.

From September 2023 he is assigned the Italian Navy General Staff in Rome in the Naval Aviation Department to serve as Naval Unit Interface section Leader.

His honours and decorations include:
− Long Command bronze Medal of merit (10 years);
− Long Service Cross (25 years);
− Long Air Navigation silver Medal (15 years);
− US Naval Aviator badge;
− Italian Sport badge;
− Civil Protection Medal of Merit;
− Commemorative cross for Afghanistan Operations;
− NATO ISAF Medal;
− Commemorative badge of Operation “Unified Protector” Libya;
− Merit ribbon for personnel of the Navy General Staff.

Commander GHEZZI has flown a total of 1000 flight hours in aircraft and helicopters; he is married with Sara and has two children, Tiziano (12) and Bianca (7). He particularly enjoys TV series, music, hiking and escape rooms; his favourite sports are horse riding, skiing, diving and soccer

Commodore Steve Prest

Steve Prest is a Weapon Engineer Officer who joined the Royal Navy after reading Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Loughborough University. He served in the Defence Communications Services Agency in Corsham in support of Op TELIC 1 (Iraq); undertook a short tour in Afghanistan as a Liaison Officer to Task Force Helmand; and has served on exchange with the French Navy. In the UK he has worked in Defence Equipment and Support, MOD, the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the Maritime Capability Division of Navy Command Headquarters.

At sea he was the Weapon Engineer Officer in HMS WESTMINSTER undertaking operations in the Mediterranean (Libya), Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean; and then the Commander Weapon Engineer in HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, bringing the ship out of build and home to Portsmouth.

Joining the nascent Navy Acquisition organisation in 2017, he was previously the Programme Director of the Type 31 Frigate Programme. He then became Deputy Director Navy Acquisition (Equipment and Systems), and Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Maritime Electronic Warfare and Mine Hunting Capability Programmes. He fulfilled the role of Director Navy Acquisition from September 2022 until May 2023 and finished his career as Deputy Director People Change Programmes in Navy Command HQ. He is now transitioning to life beyond the Navy.

Steve is married to Kerry and they live on the Hampshire coast with their daughter, Emily. He enjoys reading and is a keen fan of most sports, participating when time and body allow. A social media junkie, he can be found on Twitter as @fightingsailor.

Dr Alison Weston

Dr Weston is Senior Coordinator for the Coordinated Maritime Presences, as well as Deputy to the Director in the Security and Defence Policy Directorate and Head of Division for Maritime Security, in the European External Action Service. She is responsible for policy development and coordination on maritime security, as well as for the implementation of the political aspects of the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences concept. With significant experience in EU civilian and military crisis management structures, she has been involved in the evolution of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy from its early stages, including in the planning and conduct of many of the EU’s civilian crisis management missions.
In 2008-2010, she served as Chief of Staff in the International Civilian Office/ Office of the EU Special Representative in Kosovo, led by Pieter Feith. In 2018-19, she was seconded to the European Commission in the framework of the Security Union Task Force, under the authority of Commissioner King.
Dr Weston holds a doctorate in Political and Social Science from the European University Institute in Florence and is a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe.

Dr Paolo Braca

PAOLO BRACA (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Laurea degree (summa cum laude) in electronic engineering and the Ph.D. degree (with Hons.) in information engineering from the University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy, in 2006 and 2010, respectively. In 2009, he was a Visiting Scholar with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. From 2010 to 2011, he was a Postdoctoral Associate with the University of Salerno.

In 2011, he joined the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, La Spezia, Italy, where he is currently a Senior Scientist and Head of the DKOE Section. Furthermore, he led a number of research projects funded by the European Commission, by the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR), and other national and international institutions. In 2019, he was an Adjunct Professor with the University of Cassino, Italy. He is on the technical committee of the major international conferences in the field of signal processing and data fusion. He has co-authored more than 200 publications in international scientific journals, conference proceedings, and NATO technical reports. His research interests include the general area of machine learning and statistical signal processing with emphasis on detection and estimation theory, wireless sensor networks, multiagent algorithms, target tracking and data fusion, adaptation and learning over graphs, radar (sonar) signal processing, and machine learning.

He was awarded with the National Scientific Qualification to function as an Associate Professor and a Full Professor in Italian universities, in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Dr. Braca was the recipient of the Best Student Paper Award (first runner-up) at the International Conference on Information Fusion (FUSION) in 2009, and NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) Scientific Achievement Award, in 2017, for its contribution to the Development and Demonstration of Networked Autonomous ASW. He co-authored the paper and was the recipient of the Best Paper Award (first runner-up) at the International Conference in Sensor Signal Processing for Defence (SSPD) in 2019. He was also the recipient of the IET 2019 Premium Award for the best paper published on the IET Radar, Sonar & Navigation, and NATO STO SAA, in 2020, as a Team Leader for the Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Information Fusion for Maritime Situational Awareness. He co-authored the article that was the recipient of the Young Scientist Contest Award at the Signal Processing Symposium 2021. He is in the Stanford University’s "World’s Top 2% Scientists" list, field of “Networking and Telecommunications”.
working and Telecommunications”.
He is an Associate Editor for IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AEROSPACE AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS and IET Radar, Sonar & Navigation. He is the Editor-in-Chief ISIF Journal of Advances in Information Fusion.
In 2017, he was the Lead Guest Editor for the Special Issue on Sonar Multisensor Applications and Techniques of IET Radar, Sonar & Navigation. He was an Associate Editor for IEEE SIGNAL PROCESSING MAGAZINE, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SIGNAL PROCESSING, and EURASIP Journal Advances in Signal Processing.

Group Captain Ben Sharp

Group Captain Ben Sharp has been an officer in the Royal Air Force since 2002. He has served around the world, leading teams to provide communication services that have enabled British military operations. More recently, he has been overseeing the development, delivery and operation of space systems for the Ministry of Defence, becoming one of the first people to join UK Space Command when it formed in 2021. He is currently the director of Defence’s Space Based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance programme. Ben is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering & Technology and a trustee of two Christian charities.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Sousa Franco

Mr Andrew Euston

 As a Solutions Expert Manager at Windward, Andrew is key to understanding our customers problems and providing well planned and intricate solutions. Serving 13 years in the British Army and a Special Intelligence unit, Andrew has considerable experience when dealing with security threats on a global scale. Turning his hand to the Maritime domain, Andrew now helps Government organisations protect themselves through the use of Maritime artificial Intelligence.

Mr Brendan Moore

 As CEO of SynMax, a cutting-edge geospatial intelligence startup, Brendan is recognized for a leadership journey marked by rapid ascension and strategic innovation. With over 20 years of intelligence experience, Brendan has been at the helm of high-stakes operations and strategic initiatives both in the public and private sectors, exhibiting a steadfast commitment to tackling some of the most pressing challenges.

Brendan began his career in the UK's law enforcement and intelligence community, swiftly climbing the ranks from Intelligence Assistant to Head of Intelligence for tactical operations. His tenure at the National Crime Agency was distinguished by real world impact: Silver Commander for the UK's most impactful ever operation against organised crime, leading the international response against top level cybercriminality, and utilising intelligence fusion to mitigate a variety of threats.

Transitioning to SynMax, Brendan brought a wealth of expertise to the burgeoning field of geospatial intelligence, becoming the third of 3 founders alongside Bill Perkins (company president and lead investor) and Eric Anderson (CTO). Under his leadership, SynMax has seen outstanding growth, built innovative new capabilities, and achieved significant real-world wins.

With an unwavering resolve to drive positive transformation and a passion for intelligence fusion, Brendan continues to influence the future of geospatial intelligence and close the gap between private and public intelligence capabilities.

Mr John Bowers

 John is currently Head of New Business, Geointelligence at MDA. In this role he is responsible for global sales, business development and product management of the suite of Geointelligence offerings. Geointelligence leverages space-based capabilities to deliver world-class operational geospatial intelligence systems and services empowering government and commercial users around the world to make critical decisions in support of their missions.
John has proven experience in a variety of leadership roles within MDA and is focused on delivering customer mission success. Prior to joining MDA, John worked for Logica Space and Defence, which is now part of CGI inc. He originates from the UK, and has lived and worked on location in Germany and France. He now lives in Canada. John graduated from Leeds University, UK, with a BSc (Hons) degree in Mathematics.

Mr Jonathan Fletcher

 In his role as Director of Government Sales, Jonathan Fletcher oversees the commercial activities of Windward's government focused maritime solutions within Europe.
Jonathan has a wealth of relevant commercial and contractual experience with over 12 years working within the government, defence and law enforcement sector providing SaaS solutions and fostering long term strategic client partnerships by driving customer engagement, value and success.

Mr Peter Myers

 Peter Myers is a Director of Smith Myers, a multi award winning company he co-founded with Tony Smith 37 years ago. After completing an apprenticeship with British Aerospace Guided Weapons, Stevenage, he embarked on a career as a freelance electronic design engineer. Peter headed the team developing the Artemis mobile phone location system used on the Leonardo AW101 Norwegian All Weather SAR Helicopter operated by the Norwegian Airforce. The Artemis team gained recognition with the award of a Royal Aeronautical Society silver medal. Having employed “smarter engineers than him” Peter is now mainly involved in product development, working with new customers to solve problems, leveraging existing Smith Myers advanced technology into new applications.

Mr Régis Rousseau

Before joining UNSEENLABS as head of operations 2 years ago, Mr ROUSSEAU was intelligence officer in the French navy for 22 years, mostly assigned in the air fleet within the carrier group. He was involved in the Electronic Warfare of the French aircraft fighter Rafale and in cruise missiles planning operations. Assigned in some military units within in the French Navy intelligence center and joint intelligence HQ, he specialised in SIGINT, and served as program and operational officer for the National Space SIGINT capacity for the French navy

Mr Rory Fitzpatrick

Rory Fitzpatrick is CEO of the National Space Centre which was set up in 2010 to relaunch Elfordstown as a world class carrier grade commercial teleport and centre of excellence for space research.

Rory gained an interest in cutting edge technology and communications while working for the Design Council, part of the British Department of Trade and Enterprise set up to promote and advance good design in industry. He managed a suite of high-tech and engineering magazines including Engineering Magazine, Advanced Composites Engineering, Vehicle Engineering Design and Design Magazine)

Rory returned to Ireland in 1996, initially to set up a map-publishing company, and expanding into communications as all media merged with internet content to increase broadband need and massively increase broadband opportunities. Recognising this new demand, Rory launched IT Week, one of the first technical exhibitions in Ireland, in 1997 and in 1999 established Mediasat to supply satellite based broadband in Ireland.

In 2010 Rory, at the helm of National Space Centre, took over the running of Elfordstown Earthstation from Eircom. As part of an €11.5m investment in Irish broadband infrastructure, National Space Centre is contracted to supply Eutelsat with uplink and downlink services as part of their new 8 gateway European broadband network.

Rory strongly believes in Irelands enterprise culture and its ability to spearhead economic recovery from Irelands current economic difficulties, and cites tourism, agriculture and technology are the three key areas offering maximum opportunity to grow exports and create jobs in the Irish economy.

Mr Sigmund Dehli

 Sigmund Dehli served 18 years in the Norwegian Army. In the Norwegian Army he graduated from the Officer Candidate School, the Military Academy as well as the Norwegian Command & Staff College. The main part of his military career working with tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
After retireing from the army in 1998 Sigmund worked in the GeoSpatial Intelligence Industry until 2010 when he moved to Tromsø in northern Norway where he now holds the position as Director Business Development / Government Programs in Kongsberg Satellite Services.

Ms Maëlig Le Nair-Doare

After nearly 3 years as sales manager at Unseenlabs and having drawn from her experiences in the Defense and security sectors, she will be able to promote the advantages of remote sensing in ISR capability for MDA, especially as commercial RF data is becoming more and more known and used for diverse applications like borders security, illegal fishing or oil trafficking.

Ms Sofia Montalvo

 Sofia Montalvo as Operations Technical Director (OTD) to the U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) advises the Commanding Officer/Director on operational and civilian matters as they pertain to the effectiveness and efficiency with which the USNIC meets its mission and goals. As the USNIC's Subject Matter Expert in operational sea ice services, she works with the Operations Department, focusing on providing relevant sea ice information services to our users. She is also the primary USNIC representative to national and international organizations. Ms. Montalvo has held many roles at the USNIC prior to OTD, SAR/Imagery Order Desk Lead, Master Ice Analyst, and Snow and Ice Analyst, which has given her a greater insight into many aspects of the USNIC.

Prior to coming to the USNIC in 2017, Ms. Montalvo worked at the Mission Control Center of the National Data Buoy Center, working in quality control of the data being reported by the many US Government run weather, TAO, and tsunameter buoys around the world. She also worked as an intern at the National Hurricane Center her final year of her undergraduate work. Ms. Montalvo earned a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Mathematics from the University of Miami in 2011 and a Master of Science in Atmospheric Science from North Carolina State University in 2014.

Professor Christine Gommenginger

Christine has over 25 years experience in ocean remote sensing and physical oceanography. Her research explores how microwave electromagnetic signals interact with the ocean to develop new and improved satellite-based ocean measurements, products, applications, services, sensors and missions. Her pioneering work led to new spaceborne observations of ocean wave period, coastal sea level and wave height, ocean winds and total surface currents in the open ocean and the coastal zone. She has an established international reputation in satellite altimetry, SAR interferometry, GNSS-Reflectometry and L-band radiometry. Scientific interests include atmosphere-ocean exchanges, current/wind/wave interactions, submesoscale dynamics and long-term variability and trends of key ocean ECVs, notably sea state and sea level.

Christine is a promoter and proposer of innovative Earth Observation technology and new satellite missions, working extensively with private stakeholders in the space sector. She frequently works also with end-users in operational agencies, government and the commercial sector to support greater understanding and uptake of marine Earth Observation capabilities. Christine is Principal Investigator of the SEASTAR Earth Explorer mission concept, heading an international science team of 70+ scientists and engineers to deliver new high-accuracy wide-swath images of total ocean surface current and wind vectors at 1km resolution.

She is a member of the SWOT science team, PI of the CNES-approved SWOT VORTICES project, and PI of the SWOT-UK project funded by NERC and the UK Space Agency. Christine serves on many national and international Earth Observation advisory boards for the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency and Copernicus. She currently chairs the International Science Board of the National Centre for Earth Observation. She co-proposed and co-manages the NERC Centre for Doctoral Training for Satellite Data in Environmental Science (SENSE) in partnership with Universities of Leeds, Edinburgh and British Antarctic Survey.

Rear Admiral Eric Dousson

Rear Admiral Éric Dousson joined the French Naval Academy in 1990.

Specialized in anti-surface warfare, he embarked from 1993 to 1997 on the frigate ‘BALNY‘, the submarine ‘AGOSTA‘ and the anti-submarine destroyer ‘LATOUCHE-TRÉVILLE‘. In 1997, he took command of the training ship ‘GUÉPARD‘, in charge of the navigation training for naval officers of the watch. After a year at the Naval Weapons and Combat Systems School (ESCAN), he was appointed on the frigate ‘LIEUTENANT DE VAISSEAU LE HÉNAFF‘ in 1999, then on the anti-submarine destroyers ‘PRIMAUGUET‘ and ‘LATOUCHE-TRÉVILLE‘ until 2004. During this first part of his career, he was deployed in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Yellow Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Barents Sea.

In 2004, he was Deputy Dean at the Naval Academy, which trains 1,100 sailors and future officers each year. In 2006, after a year at the French War College, he was assigned to the “Human Resources Policy” office of the French Navy Staff, where he conducted studies on officers and general discipline.
In 2009, he took command of the anti-submarine destroyer ‘GEORGES LEYGUES‘, which was deployed in the Operation ATALANTA.

Dean at the Naval Academy in 2010, he led the work on the development strategy of the school. In 2013, he joined the submarine and Strategic Oceanic Force Staff as head of the "Human Resources" division, where he was in charge of submarine crew generation. Assigned to the Ministry of Defense's human resources direction in 2017, he led the digital transformation project of “Défense Mobilité”, the ministry's reconversion agency, during its initialization phase.

After three years as head of a research unit, he became, in 2021, “human resources management and administration” deputy director in the Navy's Human Resources direction. In August 2023, he joined the Naval Operations Staff's "Employment Doctrine" office.

He was promoted to Rear Admiral on the 1st January 2024. Since 8th January 2024, Rear Admiral Dousson serves, in Rota, as Deputy Commander of EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA.

Éric Dousson holds an engineering degree from the French Naval Academy (1993) and a diploma in Advanced Military Studies from French War College (2006). He was also an auditor of the Institution of Higher National Defense Studies (IHEDN) (2016).

He is Officer of the Legion of Honour, Officer of the French National Order of Merit and Knight of the Maritime Merit.

He is married and has three children.

Rear Admiral Guillaume Fontarensky

 Rear-Admiral Guillaume Fontarensky was born in Toulon, France. He graduated from the French Naval Academy in 1993 and specialized as a gunnery officer and anti-surface and anti-air warfare.

He attended the War College in Paris, in 2005.

From 1993 to 2000, he held the functions of weapons officer on board frigates Drogou, Commandant Blaison, Surcouf and Lafayette. From 2001 to 2004, after a short period aboard submarines, he extended his anti-air warfare skills to the air defence carrier group. He served first on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to later join the anti-air destroyer Cassard. In 2009, he was assigned as the Executive Officer of the anti-submarine destroyer Montcalm.
During his career on board ships, Rear-Admiral Fontarensky was led to serve extensively in the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. In 1993 and 1995, he contributed to former Yugoslavia maritime operations; in 1994, he took part in maritime interdiction operations off the coasts of Iraq; he contributed to non-combatants evacuation operations from Yemen in 1994; later in 1999, he was involved in the air defence of Djibouti harbour during the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He then took part in the seven-month deployment of the French carrier group in the Arabian Sea within the framework of the Afghanistan campaign.

Rear-Admiral Fontarensky commanded three warships. From 2000 to 2001, he assumed command of the patrol boat La Moqueuse based in Noumea, New Caledonia, which mission is to ensure French sovereignty in the South-West Pacific. From July 2009 to July 2010, he commanded the frigate Nivôse, based in Reunion. On that occasion, he participated during four months in the European anti-piracy ATALANTA operation off the Somali coasts. From July 2012 to July 2014, he commanded the anti-submarine warfare destroyer Montcalm that was deployed for several months in the anti-terrorism operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Rear-Admiral Fontarensky’s ashore appointments were just as rich in accomplishments. In 2004 he was assigned as head of the anti-air and anti-surface warfare Department of Saint-Mandrier Navy Training Centre, where he shared his extensive experience and taught to a new generation of young sailors. He served also in operational centres. From 2006 to 2008, he joined the French Joint Staff as a planning officer working on the French military commitments in Afghanistan. In September 2008, he was deployed for three months to the EU Military Staff in Brussels to create a coordination group with a mission to enhance the performances of European military assets engaged in the protection of maritime traffic against piracy off Somali coasts. The creation of this group was the first step toward the launching of ATALANTA operation. From August 2010 to July 2012, Rear-Admiral Fontarensky was in charge of the handling of day-to-day operations in the French Naval Operations Centre for the Mediterranean Sea in Toulon, before becoming the commanding officer of the same Centre from August 2017 to July 2019. He exercised also responsibilities in preparation of naval forces for combat. In 2014, he took head of the surface ships training department in Toulon for three years. From July 2019 to August 2022, he was deputy of the Admiral commanding French surface ships then he served in Toulon as chief of staff of the French maritime force, in charge of providing embarked staff to command a force at sea.

Since July 2023, Rear-Admiral Fontarensky serves, in Rome, as deputy commander of operation EUNAVFORMED IRINI.

Personal awards include the French Legion of Honour, Merit Order, Maritime Merit Order, veteran medal, gold national defence, overseas commemorative medal awarded for Middle-East, Commemorative medal, NATO and European Commemorative Medals for former Yugoslavia and European Commemorative Medal for anti-piracy operations.

Rear Admiral James Parkin

 Rear Admiral James Parkin, Director Develop, Royal Navy

James Parkin joined the Royal Navy after university and graduated from BRNC Dartmouth in 1999. In almost 25 years of service, he has served on operations at sea and ashore across the globe, including an operational tour in Baghdad, and spent time afloat in every ocean on the planet. He is a graduate of both the Advanced Command and Staff Course and the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy of the UK and holds degrees from the University of Oxford and Kings College London. Parkin has commanded at sea in every rank, including the inshore patrol vessel HMS RANGER, the Type 23 frigate HMS MONTROSE, the Fleet Amphibious Flagship HMS BULWARK, the Joint Expeditionary Force Maritime Task Group, and NATO’s Initial Follow-on Forces Group. In his most recent seagoing role, he was Commander of the Littoral Strike Group (COMLSG) from 2018 to 2020, in which capacity he deployed worldwide, and commanded several notable joint operations overseas, including the multinational BALTIC PROTECTOR deployment to Northern Europe in 2019, and the International Maritime Security Construct in the Middle East in 2020. After a year in PJHQ as Assistant Chief of Staff for Joint Plans (ACOS J5), he was promoted to Rear Admiral and assumed the role of Director Develop in summer 2021.