05th February 2023 is a very special date for the MARFIL Detachment (DAT) in Senegal as it is 10 years since the declaration of the Final Operational Capability (FOC) and the arrival of our first soldiers in these lands.
A decade of projects finished and demanding objectives achieved. All thanks to the effort and devotion of the 39 contingents that have already passed through here. The 40th contingent has taken up the baton and will face new challenges with enthusiasm.
All of the detachment's personnel, throughout all these years, have proven their faithful commitment to service to Spain, giving proof at all times of their professionalism, devotion and constant motivation. All of this has led to excellent results: 4807 manoeuvres, more than 7,000 tonnes of cargo transported, some 46,000 passengers have arrived safe and sound at their destinations and more than 13,300 flight hours have been flown.
We continue to move confidently towards peace and security in the Sahel with the support of our French allies.
Ten successful years
05 FEB 2013 declared the Final Operational Capability (FOC) of the Marfil Detachment, composed of 48 military personnel and a C-130, which left the Zaragoza air base on 26 JAN for Dakar, to begin operating from this location in the "Support to Mali" operation.
The main mission of this detachment was to maintain an air bridge between Bamako, Mali’s capital, and other airports in the area of operations for the transport of AFISMA (African-led Force in Support to Mali) troops and materiel.
The detachment consisted of:
From the first flight on 29 JAN to 5 FEB 2013, crews operated in the camps of Bamako (Mali), Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Niamey (Niger) and N'Djamena, Abeche and Faya Largeau (Chad).
In those days, the Spanish detachment carried out a total of 18 manoeuvres, totalling almost 60 flight hours, and had transported 185 passengers and more than 30 tonnes of cargo