THE CSEL TO THE SPANISH CHIEF OF DEFENCE ACCOMPANIES CHOD ON HIS TRIP TO MAURITANIA, SOMALIA AND DJIBOUTI

• He has been given the opportunity to see on the ground the work of the personnel deployed in these areas of operations

The Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) to the Spanish Chief of Defence, Jesus Rabadan Carrascosa, has accompanied the Chief of Defence Staff (CHOD) on a visit to various contingents in the area of operations.

The first destination was Djibouti, where the CSEL met with non-commissioned officers, troops and sailors from the frigate 'Numancia' and the 'Orion Detachment'. Both contingents are serving in EUNAVFOR's 'Operation Atalanta'.

The frigate 'Numancia' was docked in the port of the capital. The delegation, headed by the CHOD, was able to board and visit the different rooms of the ship. The CSEL Rabadan took advantage of this visit to hold meetings with the non-commissioned officers as well as with the troops and sailors.

At Air Base BA188 in Djibouti, where the Orion Detachment is deployed, the CSEL had the opportunity to see the commitment of the non-commissioned officers and troops from the Air and Space Force who, in such extreme weather conditions, carry out their work with professionalism, guaranteeing the operability of the mission.

After the meeting with the non-commissioned officers and troops of the 'DAT Orion', the CSEL, accompanied by the second lieutenant and the most senior corporal of the contingent, and as Spanish Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) met with his US counterpart from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horno of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Command Master Sergeant (CMSgt) USAF Jason P. Colon.

At the meeting, possible lines of joint work to foster and enhance the relationship between contingent personnel were discussed. The CMSgt agreed to explore the possibility of setting up practical conversation sessions in both Spanish and English.

The Spanish delegation then travelled to Mogadishu to visit the personnel of the Spanish contingent deployed in the 'European Union Training Mission in Somalia' (EUTM-Somalia). There, the CSEL had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the work being carried out by the Spanish troops to improve the capabilities of the Somali Armed Forces.

After the meeting with the non-commissioned officers and army personnel, he visited the International Campus (IC) facilities where personnel work and rest quarters are located.

From this first trip to the area of operations, the CSEL Rabadan has highlighted the self-sacrifice, dedication and professionalism of the personnel deployed. The Non-Commissioned Officers, troop and sailor personnel working in Operation Atalanta and EUTM-Somalia show great commitment in the performance of their duties. They are well aware of the need of Spain's presence in this part of the world, as part of an international coalition. The Spanish contingent contributes effectively to stabilisation and security in the area of responsibility and assigned missions. These are missions that, according to the CSEL can only be tackled with great professional vocation and personal involvement.