Commander of the Operations Command Travels to Senegal to visit deployed military personnel in the area

• Lieutenant general Francisco Braco Carbó conveyed his gratitude to the Spanish military deployed in Senegal for their contribution to international stability

Over the course of the trip, which took place between September 29th and October 1st, Commander of the Operations Command (CMOPS), lieutenant general Francisco Braco Carbó, met with several civilian and military authorities, visited the Spanish patrol boat ‘Vigía’ and the Air Tactical Detachment (DAT) ‘Marfil’, currently deployed in the area. He also had a meeting with liaison officers in Dakar, the Cooperative Security Officer, the officer of the French Elements in Senegal and PAWA (Partnership for Action in West Africa) liaison officers.

On the first day of the visit, LTG Braco met with brigadier general Michel Delpit, Head of the French Elements in Senegal, and later with the Spanish Ambassador to Senegal, Olga Cabarga Gomez. On the same morning, he visited patrol boat ‘Vigía’, where he was welcomed by Navy Captain Javier García Monge, who showed him first-hand the vessel’s capabilities for its Cooperative Security missión in the area. Finally, he met with Major General Mamadou Gaye, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Army.

Before the end of his trip, on October 1st, he visited Air Tactical Detachment (DAT) Marfil, from where Spain supports France in its fight against the terrorist threat in the Sahel region. He had a briefing with Commander of the 34th Contingent, lieutenant colonel Fernando Aguilar de la Cámara, and after touring the compound, he had the opportunity to visit the New Modular Building and the new Hangar for the T-21 aircraft, removable facilities that will increase the capabilities and readiness of DAT Marfil.

CMOPS took advantage of the trip to convey a message to the Spanish troops supporting and acknowledging "their effort, work and professionalism" in their contribution to security in Africa, since their stability and prosperity depends, largely on ours and Europe.