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Parachute Brigade assumes command of forces deployed to NATO's Multinational Battle Group in Slovakia

In Lešť, Slovakia
July 16, 2024
  • The transfer of command took place between the “Galicia” VII Brigade (BRILAT) and the “Almogávares” VI Parachute Brigade (BRIPAC).
The esplanade of the flags of Camp Slavia has hosted the ceremony of transfer of command of the contingent of Operation F-E/SVK. Colonel Francisco Calvo Rodriguez, from the BRIPAC, received the contingent's flag from Colonel Andres Gonzalez Alvarado, BRILAT, thus assuming the leadership of the NATO forces deployed in this Battle Group.
 
This act of handover, between the SVK I and SVK II contingents, was presided over by General Carlos Prada Larrea, Assistant General for Operations of the Operations Command. The event was attended by Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, Spanish Ambassador to Slovakia, Brigadier General Luis Jesús Fernández Herrero, head of BRIPAC and General David Pack, Deputy Commander Plans of the 82nd US Airborne Division.
 
In the formation, together with the Spanish troops, were represented all the units that form the contingent and that share instruction and training activities, belonging to the following allied nations: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany, United States and Portugal.
This change of leadership reaffirms Spain's commitment, willingness and ability to lead multinational operational organizations within the framework of the new NATO force model, improving interoperability with the armies and forces of friendly and allied countries. An example of Spain's firm bond with our allies is the decisive contribution to the Alliance in the expansion of deterrence forces on the eastern flank.
 
With this handover, the BRIPAC assumes command of the largest international deployment of the Armed Forces to date.

Spanish participation in Slovakia

On 1 July, Spain took over the leadership of the Alliance's Multinational Battle Group in Slovakia. The Spanish contribution translates into 800 Spanish military personnel and more than 200 vehicles of different types. These personnel and assets have been deployed gradually and progressively, in four rotations, between June and July, taking over from previously deployed personnel, which reflects the scale, degree of difficulty and logistical effort implicitly assumed by Spain.
 
Spain's commitment to the alliance will contribute to maintaining a high level of training and interoperability of all deployed capabilities. The Lešt area greatly facilitates the instruction and training of the units, thanks to its extensive manoeuvre field. Other allied nations are integrated, collaborate and train there, which, under Spanish leadership, complement the capabilities of the deployed operational grouping. Among them, the contribution of Portuguese armoured and Czech mechanised units stands out.

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