The Civil Guard trains Ukrainian military personnel at its facilities in Logroño

•  The Special Training Centre (CAE in Spanish) concludes the eighth training rotation as part of the European Union’s military assistance mission to Ukraine

 The Special Training Centre (CAE), a key facility within the Rural Action Unit (UAR) for the Civil Guard’s counter-terrorism and special operations training, has trained Ukrainian military personnel at its facilities in Logroño.

The module took place during the second and third weeks of March at the Civil Guard’s Special Forces Training Range. There, the participants received intensive multidisciplinary training.

Key topics covered included: shooting procedures and exercises, foot and vehicle patrols, disengagement techniques, close-quarters combat (CQC) and tactical medical care. The latter was aimed at stabilising the wounded in combat situations.

The training programme was geared towards improving the individual and collective tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) of special operations units and was designed to provide trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the missions they will undertake in their home country more effectively.

Lieutenant L. Fernández, one of the instructors, emphasised that the module “provides a perfect opportunity to share lessons learnt by both sides, helping to forge and strengthen bonds”.

He also noted that “the participants’ motivation has been excellent” and described what they had learnt as “very interesting and relevant”.

Through this training, the Civil Guard and Spain reaffirm their firm commitment to international support and cooperation missions, helping to improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

EUMAM UA, support for Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was approved by a Council Decision on 17 October 2022. Its objective is to strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ capacity to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity 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.

Furthermore, EUMAM is open to the participation of third states. All mission activities take place on EU territory. To date, 24 EU Member States — notably including Spain — have provided training modules and personnel to the Ukrainian military.

EUMAM is also open to participation from third countries. All the mission’s activities take place on EU territory. To date, 24 EU Member States—notably including Spain—have provided training modules and personnel to the Ukrainian military.

In Spain, training activities are managed by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC) —under the direction of the Operations Command, to which it reports— and coordinates its activities with various international bodies, not only within the European Union but also under multinational agreements. Since the start of this European mission, Spain has expanded the range of courses, which are now delivered at various units of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The TTCC comprises a Headquarters in Burgos —headed by Brigadier General Francisco Javier Calero Perea, commander of the 1st Brigade “Aragón”— to which the Combat Training Unit (UFC) in Toledo (a permanent unit that carries out both basic training and various specific courses) and the Training Modules (TM), which are activated to provide instruction in the specialities requested. These courses are held at the facilities that the Ministry of Defence, the Army, the Navy and the Civil Guard maintain in various locations throughout Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience in training missions for military and security forces from other countries, including Iraq, Mali and Somalia, amongst others. To date, Spain has trained more than 8,850 Ukrainian military personnel as part of the EUMAM UA mission.