RACTA 4 deploys in Gibraltar area

4th Coastal Artillery Regiment from the Field Artillery Command deploys a Coastal Defence Unit 

The 4^th Coastal Artillery Regiment (RACTA 4) - Field Artillery Command - is deploying a Coastal Defence Unit (CDU) in Gibraltar between 6 and 12 FEB. This CDU, made up of more than a hundred military personnel, artillery material, and logistical and command elements, will be integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOC), under the Operations Command (MOPS, in Spanish), in an exercise to prepare for the fulfilment of its permanent missions. 

The RACTA 4 is equipped and trained to generate operational units (CDU) capable of coastal defence, wherever it is ordered. To this end, sensors, artillery pieces and transmission elements, and more than 200 military personnel, will be deployed throughout the Campo de Gibraltar, where it will be possible to verify that Spain has an optimal tool for the control and surveillance of coastal areas of interest. Among its tasks is the control of maritime traffic, informing of vessels carrying out any type of suspicious activity.

In addition, the Regiment will have the opportunity to enhance the interoperability and integration of the Coastal Artillery units with the Navy by liaising with the Operations Centre of the Maritime Action Headquarters based in Cartagena, Spain.

To ensure the self-protection of the CDU, a company from the 2^nd La Reina Infantry Regiment, based in Córdoba, will join the artillery personnel of RACTA 4 to ensure the defence of the CDU.

Maritime Operations Command (MOC)

 The MOC is the organisation of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (JEMAD, in Spanish), 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) and is based in Cartagena. 

Permanent Monitoring and Deterrence Operations 

Standing Surveillance and Deterrence Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, allowing for early detection of threats and facilitating an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis.

The Land, Maritime, Aerospace, and the newly created Cyberspace Operational Commands make up the Standing Command structure. On a daily basis, some 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command.