Sinergia 25: 1,000 military personnel from the Land Operations Command deployed throughout Spain´s overseas territories

• The objective is to coordinate the ongoing activities of the various operational commands to ensure unity of effort and guarantee the most timely and effective protection of the population and the territory

The Land Operations Command (MOT) has deployed 1,000 military personnel from its Tactical Groups in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, as well as on other Spanish islands and islets, as part of the Sinergia 25 operation, with the aim of strengthening the protection of areas of interest to Spain.

Within the framework of the Permanent Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations (OPVD), the main objective is to coordinate the permanent activities of the various operational commands to ensure unity of effort while guaranteeing the most appropriate and effective protection of the population and the territory.

The Chief of Staff of the MOT, Major General Ramón Armada Vázquez, explained that "in this joint operation, our units exchange information and coordinate with other commands through their Tactical Operations Centres. For example, with the Maritime Operational Command, we have carried out the withdrawal by sea of a reinforcement section deployed from Melilla to Chafarinas, and with the Air Operational Command, we are providing protection to its Air Defence Unit (UDAA)".

In this context, the Canarias Tactical Group, made up of personnel from the Canarias XVI Brigade, is deployed simultaneously throughout the week on the eight islands of the homonymous archipelago. In addition to land patrols, military personnel monitor critical infrastructure and reinforce security in areas of interest, as well as promoting ties between the Armed Forces and the public.

For its part, the 94th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) complements the Anti-Aircraft Defence Unit (UDAA) of the 73rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (Valencia), which is assigned to the Air Operations Command, with a NASAMS battery, a section of 35/90 anti-aircraft guns and two MISTRAL firing posts, all deployed at the Gando Air Base. In addition, some 45 military experts in air defence, support the UDAA command post and the Air and Space Force (EA) Alert and Control Group, also located in Gando.

In the case of Melilla, a section of the Tercio Gran Capitán 1^st of the Legion will be deployed by sea to reinforce the Chafarinas Detachment, which will be sent to the islands of Isabel II, Congreso and del Rey. A Tactical Subgroup from the 8th Engineer Regiment will also be activated in Melilla to carry out reconnaissance in different areas, in coordination with naval and air activities.

Likewise, a section of the Ceuta Tactical Group is deploying its patrols to increase presence and deterrence in the autonomous city of Ceuta, while the vessels of the unit Compañía de Mar are reinforcing surveillance of the Perejil islet.

Finally, the Baleares Tactical Group, made up of soldiers from the 47th Palma Infantry Regiment, is conducting presence and reconnaissance patrols on the island of Majorca. Its activities include environmental surveillance tasks, where collaboration between units and civil authorities is key to achieving a clean and safe environment.

General Armada concluded by saying that “the main purpose of this operational activity is to gain adequate knowledge of the environment in the areas of responsibility assigned to the MOT, as well as to contribute to the safety and well-being of Spaniards by maintaining a permanent capacity for rapid and flexible action to deal with different situations. Without hesitation, these activations are crucial for national defence and, to this end, considerable human resources are involved”.

Sinergia 25

In addition to the MOT's contribution, during the activation of Sinergia 25, the other Operational Commands — Maritime (MOM), Air (MOA), Cyberspace (MOC) and Space (MOESPA)—are carrying out their own presence, surveillance and deterrence actions, coordinated from the Operations Command (MOPS). In the maritime domain, coordinated from the Maritime Action Operations and Surveillance Centre in Cartagena, various Navy vessels, a D4 aircraft from the 49th Wing of the Air and Space Force, and Coastal Artillery Defence Units (UDACTA) of the Army are coordinating their various actions to increase surveillance and observation of the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, in addition to other vessels sailing in the Canary Islands.

The MOA has activated Eagle Eye 25-3 in the Canary Islands and the Atlantic Ocean, with the main objective of integrating the capabilities of the Air and Space Force, the Army and the Navy into the national air defence system, while improving efficiency in the development of presence, surveillance and deterrence operations (OPVD).

In this context of comprehensive defence, the MOC will be dedicated to monitoring the networks in its environment, while MOESPA will provide products related to GPS accuracy and satellite overflight for the benefit of the other operational commands and the MOPS.