‘Tigru’ Detachment Receives Visit from Commander of NATO CAOC Torrejón

• Lieutenant General Sánchez de Lara, accompanied by a Romanian delegation, visits the Schitu Barracks

The Spanish personnel of the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) ‘Tigru’, deployed at Schitu Barracks (Romania), received a visit from the Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Torrejón (CAOC-TJ), Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sánchez de Lara.

The CAOC Torrejón Commander — the headquarters responsible for NATO’s air and missile defence operations in Southern Europe — was welcomed by the DAT ‘Tigru’ Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Jiménez Herranz. After  the welcome, the Lieutenant General toured the technical area housing the AN/TPS-43M radar system and the weapons simulator.

Also, in attendance, was a delegation from the Romanian Air Force, headed by Colonel Relu Boraciu, Commander of the Romanian 76^th  ISR Brigade.

Since the start of its deployment, DAT ‘Tigru’ has accumulated 29 months of continuous operations. During this time, the 39 air force personnel comprising the detachment have demonstrated Spain’s commitment to NATO’s presence, air surveillance, and deterrence objectives. In this regard, the CAOC Torrejón Commander praised the Spanish contingent ‘for their outstanding work in the mission’,  while highlighting its strategic importance: ‘It is essential for securing the Alliance’s airspace surveillance’.

NATO IAMD Operation – ‘Persistent Effort’

The AN/TPS-43M radar deployed in Romania forms part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) operation, under the framework of the Standing Defence Plan, ‘Persistent Effort’. This plan also includes the NASAMS Air Defence Unit in Latvia, the Patriot battery in Turkey, and the various air detachments conducting Air Policing missions.

Spain’s participation in the defence of NATO’s eastern flank reflects the country’s firm commitment to the Alliance and stands as a clear example of solidarity with our Allies — with whom we share the values that uphold and defend democracy, freedom, and global security.