Greek Ambassador to Spain visits Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón

• CAOC Commander acknowledged the Ambassador for Greece's commitment to the common goal of collective defense on the southern flank

The  Ambassador of Greece to Spain, Ilias Fotopoulos, accompanied by the military attaché, Colonel Panagiotis Markomichalis, has visited this Thursday, March 24^th, the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain (CAOC Torrejón).

The representatives of the Greek Embassy were welcomed by the Commander of CAOC, Lieutenant General Fernando de la Cruz. After the Ambassador signed the book of honor and a short briefing with CAOC Commander, general De la Cruz briefed the Greek delegation on the Centre's mission with some examples based on real activities. Afterwards, the usual ceremony of hoisting the Greek flag was held in commemoration of Greece's National Day.

During his speech, general De la Cruz emphasized the Greek's contribution to the defence of Europe´s southern flank airspace and in particular the support provided to North Macedonia after its recent integration into NATO. 

The Greek ambassador thanked the Commander for the celebration of Greece's National Day and highlighted the work carried out by the CAOC Torrejón on a permanent basis in the collective defence of the Alliance's interests. The ambassador also acknowledged Spain's strong commitment to safeguarding the common interests of allied countries.

Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón

The main mission of the Torrejón CAOC, under the direct command of a Lieutenant General of the Spanish Air Force, is to plan, direct, coordinate, supervise, analyse and report on air defence operations in Southern Europe, following the directives of the NATO Air Component Command to which it reports and with the means assigned to NATO by the nations in peacetime.

The Spanish Armed Forces make an important contribution to the mission carried out by this centre. Roughly 120 military personnel serve in the CAOC itself as well as in the National Support Element (NSE) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency Unit (NCIA).