Celebration of France's national day at Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón

• The French Consul General in Madrid attended the ceremony

The French Consul General in Madrid, Marie-Christine Lang, accompanied by the naval attaché, Commander François-Xavier Martin de Marolles, visited NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Spain this morning.

The delegation was welcomed by CAOC Commander, Lieutenant General Fernando de la Cruz Caravaca, upon arrival at the facility. After a short briefing, the French National Day was honoured with the traditional ceremony of hoisting the French flag.

In his speech, Lieutenant General De la Cruz thanked the Consul for the contribution of her country to the air police mission permanently carried out by CAOC to enhance the security of the airspace on the Alliance's southern flank.

On the other hand, the French Consul thanked the organisation of this event in commemoration of France's national day. She also stressed the importance for France of being part of the Alliance. The Consul also thanked Spain for the support given to the CAOC's mission.

NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón

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.