Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón conmemorates Germany’s National Day

• The German Ambassador to Spain and the Defence Attaché attended the ceremony

A delegation from the German Embassy in Spain, led by Ambassador Wolfgang Dold and Defence Attaché Colonel Harald Wegener, visited NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón (CAOC-Tj)  this morning.

The delegation was welcomed upon arrival at the Centre by the unit's commander, lieutenant general Fernando de la Cruz Caravaca. After a short briefing, the German National Day was honoured with the traditional hoisting of the German flag.

'Spain and Germany share the same values and principles upheld by the Alliance: freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law', said General De la Cruz during his speech. On behalf of CAOC, general de la Cruz acknowledged Germany's contribution to the Centre's permanent air policing mission to enhance airspace security on the Alliance's southern flank. 

In his speech, the German ambassador underlined the importance of the daily work carried out by CAOC Torrejón in the collective defence of the Alliance's interests, and thanked the centre's staff for the work carried out jointly by the nations to achieve this common goal.

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).