Croatian Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Combined Air Operations Center Torrejón

• Croatian MoD had the chance to witness CAOC TJ’s work during NATO's 'Ramstein Ambition 2021' exercise

Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman paid an official visit to the Torrejón Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC TJ).

After a welcoming message from the Centre’s commander, Lieutenant General Fernando de la Cruz, and the signing in the Book of Honour, the minister was informed about the structure, mission, legal framework and operational situation in the Unit's area of responsibility. Subsequently, the Croatian delegation had the opportunity to visit the CAOC facilities, which is currently involved in the execution phase of the NATO exercise “Ramstein Ambition 2021” (RAAM 21), with the participation of 61 military personnel from 17 Alliance countries working with the same team spirit.

The main purpose of CAOC Torrejón, commanded by a 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.