The 11th Spanish Contingent of the Operation Support to Iraq begins its work in the area

·        The 11^th  Brigade “Extremadura” takes command of Task Force Besmayah

The eleventh Spanish contingent deployed in Iraq has already begun its first tasks in the area of operations, within the Operation Inherent Resolve.

As proof of the Army´s commitment to ensuring peace and security in our country, training of both the Army and Iraqi police forces will continue.

Due to the Transfer of Authority (TOA), a ceremony has been held at the Base “Gran Capitán” of Besmayah. It has been presided over by the Major General Gerald Strickland, Deputy Chief of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJFTC), with the attendance of the Brigadier General Abdul Kareem, Chief of the Besmayah Range Complex (BRC), where the Base “Gran Capitán” is settled, place of deployment of the majority of the Spanish contingent. Moreover, the Director of the Iraqi Armoured School, the Chief of the No.2 Regiment of NBQ (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) and the Director of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, among others, have also attended this ceremony. Their presence shows the strong and important commitment of Spain towards the coalition, the different allied countries and the host country, Iraq. A commitment that is reinforced in each rotation.

The Chief of the upcoming contingent, Colonel César García del Castillo, has taken the command of the Task Force Besmayah (TFB) by replacing General Waldo Caamaño.

During his speech, the Colonel has appreciated the presence of the Major General Strickland and of the Iraqi military authorities, as well as the support and full cooperation shown by General Barreto during the relief. He has also highlighted the challenge of obtaining full operational capacity in the Besmayah Range Complex in its transformation into Centralised Training Facilities, together with the beginning of the structure and BPC tasks adaptation without reducing support to training of the Iraqi units. Finally, he has established the principles of adaptability, initiative, trust and team work as the action basis of the new contingent. Thanks to them, the members of Task Force Besmayah will be able to face any challenge and will continue reinforcing Spanish presence in the international fight against terrorism.