On May 13, 2025, the high seas patrol vessel (PHM) Commandant Birot set sail from Toulon with eighteen of its former commanders on board.
While Commander Birot will be retired from active service this summer, this final outing of the commanders was an opportunity for the former Pashas to spend a final moment on board and share their operational memories with the crew.
Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of the Naval Staff (CEMM) , who commanded the Commandant Birot from 2004 to 2005, was on board. During his visit, he addressed the crew and highlighted the aviso spirit and the qualities of a vessel that had seen significant operational activity during its forty-one years of loyal service.
The 16th building in a series of 17 avisos, the Commandant Birot , was admitted to active service in 1984. First based in Brest, then in French Polynesia and New Caledonia, the Commandant Birot has been assigned to Toulon since 1995.
Commandant Birot remains operational until the last day, continuing its final mission of permanent maritime safeguard posture (PPSM) until the end of May before beginning its decommissioning in June.