Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón conmemorates UK’s National Day

• The British Ambassador to Spain attended the ceremony

The United Kingdom's Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliot, accompanied by the Naval Attaché, Captain Ian Bruce Clarke, visited Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejon this morning.

The representatives were welcomed upon arrival at CAOC by the commander of the unit, lieutenant general Fernando de la Cruz Caravaca. After an initial outline, the United Kingdom's National Day was commemorated with the traditional hoisting of the country's flag.

In his speech, lieutenant general De la Cruz acknowledged the British Ambassador for the contribution of his country to the CAOC's ongoing air policing mission to enhance airspace security on the Alliance's southern flank

The UK ambassador thanked the organization of this ceremony in commemoration of his country’s National Day. The ambassador also expressed his gratitude to Spain for the support provided to the mission carried out by the CAOC.

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 following the directives of NATO's air component command with the assigned assets by NATO in peacetime.

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).