Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón hoists the bulgarian flag honoring its national Day

• The ceremony was attended by a delegation from the Bulgarian Embassy to Spain, headed by the acting Ambassador

Combined Air Operations Centre in Torrejón de Ardoz (CAOC TJ) honoured Bulgaria’s National Day hosting the usual ceremony where the Bulgarian flag was hoisted.

The ceremony was chaired by lieutenant general Fernando de la Cruz, CAOC-TJ Commander, and was attended by a delegation from the Bulgarian Embassy to Spain headed by the acting ambassador and political advisor, Albena Gfeller.

LtGen. de la Cruz highlighted Bulgaria's commitment to the Alliance's collective defense within CAOC-TJ'S area of responsibility (AOR).

On the other hand, Ambassador Gfeller pointed out the importance for Bulgaria being a NATO and European Unión member, a framework in which her country is experiencing a dynamic development.

The main purpose of Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón, commanded by an Spanish Air Force lieutenant general, is to plan, direct, coordinate, supervise, analyse and report on air defence operations in southern Europe, of the assigned assets to it in peace, following the directives of NATO's air component.

The Spanish Armed Forces are making an important contribution to the mission conducted by this facility. Roughly 120 military personnel are assigned to the CAOC itself, as well as to the National Support Element (NSE) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), which provides permanent support to CAOC-TJ.