Relief of of DAT 'Marfil' contingent deployed in Senegal

• The detachment strengthens Spain’s bilateral relations with various African countries and other national operations of interest in the Sahel

The 'Marfil' Tactical Air Detachment (DAT), deployed in the Mali Support Operation in Senegal, held a ceremony for the changeover between the 47^th  and 48^th contingents. The outgoing force commander, Colonel Juan Pablo Aliseda Cuevas, handed over the command of the 'Marfil' Detachment to Colonel Enrique Rodríguez Moro.

The military ceremony, held at the 'Escale Aéronautique Commandant LEMAITRE' of the 'Blaise Diagne' International Airport, , was presided over by Colonel Francisco José Pablo Sánchez, representing the Commander of the Operations Command. Also present was Colonel Thomas Rousseau, Chief of Staff of the French elements in Senegal.

During the event, Colonel Rousseau expressed France’s gratitude to the outgoing 'Marfil' Detachment contingent: ‘Your work, your availability, and your constant commitment to carrying out your mission at the highest level. I would like to thank you, Commander Aliseda, and the entire Spanish contingent’.

For his part, Colonel Pablo, after thanking the efforts and work of the outgoing contingent, encouraged the incoming contingent: ‘It is your task to maintain and increase, with your daily work, the reputation of the Spanish Armed Forces. For Spain, you must give the best of yourselves’.

Support Operation - 'Marfil' Detachment

The 'Marfil' Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) was established as a result of the support the Spanish Government provided to our French allies in their fight against terrorism in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea region, with the aim of facilitating the temporary overflight and landing of aircraft from European Union member countries.

Following France’s intervention in Mali (Operation Serval in 2013), Spain began its collaboration with a C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft (Spanish military designation T.10) and around 50 personnel deployed at the Senghor Air Base in Dakar, Senegal. At that time, the 'Marfil' Detachment participated in deploying French troops and equipment to the operational theatre, as well as assisting countries in the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).

Later, the C-130 Hercules was replaced by the CASA C.295 aircraft from 35^th Wing (Spanish military designation T.21) from Getafe Air Base, tasked with supporting the Spanish contingent of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-Mali), which trains the Malian Armed Forces as part of the European Union mission, and a mission dedicated to training the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic (EUTM-RCA).

Additionally, the 'Marfil' Detachment provides support to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the successor to the AFISMA mission, to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force.

In conclusion, the 'Marfil' Detachment is a clear example of the capabilities, availability, and operability provided by the Spanish Air and Space Force outside our borders. It also serves as a clear demonstration of the support and cooperation of an allied and friendly country like Senegal.