Transfer of Authority Ceremony of the Spanish mission, Support the Ukraine Armed Forces

• The ‘Rey Alfonso XIII’ II Legion Brigade takes over from the ‘Guadarrama’ XII Brigade in its duties at the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC) Headquarters until December 2025

Within the framework of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA), the ‘Rey Alfonso XIII’ II Brigade of the Legion has relieved the contingent of the ‘Guadarrama’ XII in an event that took place in the ‘Diego Porcelos’ barracks in Burgos, headquarters of the Toledo Training Coordination Center (TTCC).

The event was presided over by the Operations Deputy of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Fernando Martín Pascual, who thanked Major General Arrazola Martínez for his hospitality and support for the mission and the Operations Command (MOPS). He also pointed out the commitment of Spain and the Spanish Armed Forces to peace and international security, in which the EUMAM mission has a direct impact, as it is training Ukrainian personnel who will enter combat.

During the ceremony, the head of the outgoing contingent, Brigadier General Antonio Bernal Martín, handed over the mission script to the head of the incoming contingent, Brigadier General José Agustín Carreras Postigo. General Bernal Martín addressed those present to thank the head of the ‘San Marcial’ Division, Major General Mariano Arrazola Martínez, for the availability and support received by his headquarters. General Bernal also highlighted the various training modules taken by the Ukrainian personnel and the mutual knowledge and integration with these soldiers. Finally, he pointed out the challenge that the integration of the Combat Training Unit (UFC), which reports to the Canary Islands Command, has meant for EUMAM V, and thanked the Operations Command (MOPS) for its support.

During the last six months, the Brigade ‘Guadarrama’ XII has contributed to the EUMAM UA mission with the training of about 1500 Ukrainian military personnel with the coordination and implementation of 22 modules of different specialties. In addition, during the sixth rotation, for the first time, the modules of Patriot systems operators and the module of Humanitarian Demining level 3 have been taught.

Among the specialisations taught by EUMAM V are: Basic Combat Training, Operations Planning, Anti-Terrorism, Urban Area Combat, Improvised Explosive Device Combat, Mine Clearance, Sapper Training, Combat Casualty Medical Care, HAWK Anti-Aircraft Missile System Operators and Maintenance, Armoured Tracked Transport Maintenance and Operators, Geospatial Technicians, Advanced Artillery Observers and Counter-Terrorism.

EUMAM UA, support to Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was approved by Council Decision on 17 October 2022. It aims to strengthen the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and to deter and respond to possible future military offensives by Russia and other potential aggressors. EUMAM works closely with all other like-minded international partners to provide training support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

EUMAM is also open to the participation of third States. All mission activities take place on EU soil. So far, 24 EU Member States - most notably Spain - have provided training modules and personnel to Ukrainian military personnel.

In Spain, training activities are directed by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC) -under the direction of the Operations Command, to which it reports organically- and coordinates its activities with different international structures, not only in the sphere of the European Union, but also in the framework of multinational agreements. Since the start of this European mission, Spain has expanded the modality of the courses, which are now taught in different units of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The TTCC consists of a Headquarters in Burgos - headed by Brigadier General José Agustín Carreras Postigo, head of the ‘Rey Alfonso XIII’ II Brigade of the Legion - on which depend the Combat Training Unit (UFC) in Toledo (of a permanent nature and which carries out both basic training and different specific courses) and the Training Modules (TM), which are activated to provide instruction in the specialities that are requested. These courses take place in the facilities that the Army and the Navy have in various locations throughout Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience in training personnel from the Armed Forces and security forces of other countries, such as Iraq, Mali and Somalia, among others. To date, Spain, within the framework of this EUMAM UA mission, has trained more than 7,500 Ukrainian military personnel.