Operation Support to Türkiye

The situation along NATO’s south-eastern border and the repeated violations of Turkey’s territory raise grave concern. As the North Atlantic Council made clear on June 26 and October 3, we stand with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity. We, the NATO foreign ministers, declare our determination to deter threats to and defend Turkey.

In response to Türkiye’s request, NATO has decided to augment Türkiye’s air defence capabilities in order to defend the population and territory of Turkey and contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s border.  We have agreed to do so within the framework of the NATO integrated air defence system in order to preserve, protect and enhance the ability to defend the population and territory of Türkiye in accordance with the NATO standing defence plan. 

We welcome the intention of Germany, the Netherlands and the United States to provide Patriot missile batteries, subject to their respective national procedures.  These systems will be under the operational command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).  Any deployment will be defensive only.  It will in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation.

NATO’s ultimate task is the protection and defence of our members. Today, we underline once again our steadfast commitment to the security of this Alliance, and our full solidarity and resolve to protect our populations and territories.

We express our appreciation to the Turkish people and authorities for assisting Syrian citizens who found refuge in Turkey. We call for an end to violence in Syria, which represents a serious threat to stability and security in the region. We fully support the efforts of the international community to find a peaceful solution.

The mission Support to Türkiye (originally named Active Fence) was launched in December 2012, when NATO, at the request of the Government of Türkiye, deployed six Patriot anti-missile batteries from Holland, Germany and the United States. Its aim was to increase the Turkish defensive capabilities in light of the threats from the Syrian conflict, both from the regime of Bashar el Asad – who used Scud missiles against the rebel forces- and from the Daesh jihadi group, which managed to gain control of one of the Syrian army´s ballistic arsenals.

In August 2014, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) asked Spain to relieve some of the units deployed in 2015 in order to maintain the Alliance´s efforts in this mission. Spain decided to meet the request and in January 2015, deployed a Patriot battery belonging to the 74th Anti-air Artillery Regiment, whose mission is the anti-missile defence of the city of Adana against possible attacks from Syria.

This mission, which began on 26^th January 2015, represents the first time that Spain has deployed a ballistic missile defence system abroad.

2023

• December 20 th. Relief of the 'Patriot XVIII' contingent by the 'Patriot XIX'. The contingent is commanded by TCol. Alejandro Fresno Calvo.
• June 20. Handover/takeover (HOTO) between the 'Patriot-XVII' and 'Patriot-XVIII' contingents. The incoming unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Emilio Manuel Montero Espinosa

2022

• December 22. Handover/takeover (HOTO) between the 'Patriot-XVI' and 'Patriot-XVII' contingents. The incoming unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jose María Contreras Merino.
• June 22. Handover/takeover (HOTO) between the 'Patriot-XV' and 'Patriot-XVI' contingents. The incoming unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Martín Gallego.
• February 12. ESP CHOD visits Spanish troops deployed to Turkey.

2021

• December 21st. The HOTO ceremony is hosted at Incirlik AFB. A/T XV contingent handed over from A/T XIV. 
• June 21st. A/T XIV contingent handed over from A/T XIII. 

2020

• December 21. Handover/takeover (HOTO) between the AT-XII and AT-XIII contingents. The incoming unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Joaquín de Pedro Garcimartín.
• July 22. Handover/takeover (HOTO) between the contingents. The incoming unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ismael Salazar Moreno.
• July 1. The new rotation (A/T-XII) made up of 149 servicemen arrives in Turkey.
• June 22. Relief of contingent AT-X within the operation "APOYO A TURQUÍA". Spanish Armed Forces’ commitment is firm in respect of the anti-missile defence of Turkish territory.
• April 12. Few members of the next patriot contingent conduct a reconnaissance visit to their deployment site. Personnel who will hold key positions of the AT-X contingent obtain information about this NATO collective defence mission.
• February 13. Spanish CHOD visits the detachment.
• January 19. Handover/takeover (HOTO) between the contingents. The incoming unit is RAAA-74 commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Benito de Valle. 

2019

• July 22. Handover/takeover (HOTO) of the contingents composing Patriot missile Unit. The AT-X contingent Chief is lieutenant colonel José Ángel Úbeda Garcerán.
• January 19. VIII contingent is replaced by IX Spanish contingent.

2018

• December 19. The Chief of the Defence Staff visits the VIII contingent in Turkey.
• July 23. VII contingent is replaced by VIII Spanish contingent.
• July 5. The Chief of the Defence Staff visits the VII contingent in Turkey.
• January 21. VII contingent takes over the command of the mission.

2017

• December 28. Mission extended for a period of six months. It may be protracted depending on the evolution of the situation.
• December 19. The Chief of the Defence Staff visits the VI contingent in Turkey.
• July 22. Handover/takeover (HOTO) in Support to Turkey operation, VI contingent takes over the Patriot missile unit.
• July 4. The Chief of the Defence Staff visits the V Spanish contingent in Turkey.
• January 19. IV contingent is replaced by V Spanish contingent.

2016

• November 30. The Spanish Ambassador visits the contingent in Turkey.
• July 27: The Chief of the Defence Staff visits the contingent.  
• July. Unit Handover/takeover (HOTO). The IV contingent takes over the command of the mission.  
• January 21. The III Spanish contingent is fully operational at Incirlik air base.

2015

• December 11. The Ministry Council authorises the extension of the mission till the end of 2016, by authorising a maximum of 150 military contingent personnel.
• January 26. Handover/takeover (HOTO) ceremony between the Dutch and the Spanish contingents is held at the Incirlik air base.
• January 15. Personnel of the first contingent of the Spanish Missile Patriot Unit are incorporated into the mission.
• January 12. 'Martin Posadillo' and 'Camino Español' vessels, which transport material (weapon systems and vehicles) for “Patriot” battery, arrive in Turkey.

2014

• December 29. Spanish Patriot Unit begins its department and deployment at the Airport of Adana (Turkey).
• August. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) requests from Spain its participation into the mission.