The BAM 'Rayo' begins its participation in permanent surveillance and deterrence operations

• The navy ship carries out a maritime surveillance patrol in the waters of the Canary Islands archipelago

The maritime action ship (BAM) 'Rayo' set sail on the 20th, integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM), from its base at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Arsenal. It will carry out a maritime surveillance mission in the waters of the Canary Islands until the beginning of June. For this purpose, it will have a Marine Infantry Operational Security Team on board.

During this period, and on the occasion of Armed Forces Day, it will call at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on 27 and 28 May, with open days.

It will also take part in the "SINERGIA 01/22" force activation, from 22 to 26 May. This activation brings together the capabilities of the four Operational Commands within the framework of Permanent Operations. SINERGIA 01/22' is the second time that all the command and force structures of the Joint Force Core-1 have operated together, this time in the Canary Islands. The BAM 'Relámpago', belonging to the Command of the Maritime Action Force Units in the Canary Islands, will also take part in this activation.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

MOM is the organisation of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (CHOD), responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring surveillance and security operations in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action (ALMART) based in Cartagena.

Armed Forces’ Standing Operations

Standing Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, enabling early threat detection and enabling an immediate and effective response to a potential crisis.

The traditional Land Operational Command (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Aerospace (MOA) and the recently established Cyberspace (MOC) make up the Standing Command structure. On a daily basis, about 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command.

The offshore patrol vessel BAM 'Rayo' (P-42)

The BAM 'Rayo' (P-42) is the second ship of the 'Meteoro' class, built by Navantia in Puerto Real and delivered to the Navy in 2011. Between June and December 2021 it was deployed in Mediterranean and Black Sea waters as the command ship of the Commander of the NATO Permanent Minehunter Group 2, being relieved since January of this year by the BAM 'Meteoro', also based in the Canary Islands.

In addition to permanent maritime surveillance operations, the maritime action ships carry out maritime security missions, protection of national maritime interests and control of areas of sovereignty and national interest, as well as maritime policing in collaboration with the State Security Forces and Corps.

The BAM ‘Rayo’ is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Carlos Breijo Cárdenas.