Take-over of DAT 'Marfil' contingent deployed in Senegal

• The Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Marfil' contributes to the fight against terrorist threat in the Sahel, under Operation 'Support to Mali'.

In the facilities of the 'Escale Aéronautique Commandant LEMAITRE' of the 'Blaise Diagne' International Airport, the official ceremony of taking over the command of the 46th and 47th contingents of the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Marfil' has taken place. Commander Juan Pablo Aliseda Cuevas takes over the command from commander Debora Gómez López.

The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Mariano Marín Navarro of the Joint Operations Command Staff (EMMOPS), who highlighted the work carried out by the outgoing contingent. In his words, he underlined the capacity to adapt to the new circumstances and the reduction of the detachment's personnel. Likewise, Lieutenant Colonel Navarro emphasized the intense work and effort made by the Force Commander of the 46th contingent in order to achieve the highest goals, and encouraged his successor to continue this legacy and reaffirm Spain's commitment to international security and peace, especially in the mission, in support to France against the threat of terrorism in the Sahel.

Operation “Support to Mali”.  

France began an operation in January 2013, with the aim of halting the jihadist advance towards the south of Mali, preventing the fall of the capital (Bamako) and liberating the main northern cities that had become safe areas for terrorists. Spain joined this deployment with the decision to facilitate the temporary overflight and landing of air assets from European Union member countries, with the deployment of the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Marfil' in Dakar (Senegal).

The DAT 'Marfil', made up of Air and Space Force personnel, operates from 'Escale Aéronautique Commandant LEMAITRE', at the French Elements in Senegal (EFS) facility at the 'Blaise Diagne' International Airport.

This detachment has been assigned various intra-theater tactical and logistical airlift missions, as well as in-flight refueling missions. All these missions, under the operational control of the Joint Operations Command (MOPS), are carried out with the main objective of supporting France in its fight against terrorism in the Sahel area.

After more than 11 years of ongoing operational activity, the DAT 'Marfil' strengthens the contribution of the Spanish Armed Forces abroad and consolidates the State's action in its commitment to international peace and security.