The Attachés Association in Spain from NATO countries visits the Counter Improvised Explosives Devices, Centre of Excellence

• The Association congregate the Defence Attachés of the 13 NATO nations accredited in Spain

Twelve Defence Attachés from NATO nations accredited in Spain have visited this morning the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices, Centre of Excellence  (C-IED CoE), located at the Engineers Academy in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

The visit is part of the Association's regular activities to promote knowledge of the Spanish Armed Forces among its members.

It has taken place at the request of the Area of Attaché Offices and Permanent Representations of the Directorate General for Defence Policy (DIGENPOL) and an Officer of that area has accompanied the Attachés from Germany, United States, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Romania and Turkey.

After welcoming the attachés, the Director of the C-IED CoE, Artillery Lieutenant Colonel Javier Corbacho Margallo, addressed them in a brief talk explaining the characteristics of the C-IED effort, tasks and organization of the C-IED CoE, as well as the activities and results of the Centre.

Later on, a visit to the C-IED CoE facilities was made, in which the Lieutenant Colonel expressed the availability of the Centre to support the contributing nations, many of them represented today by their Attachés, and NATO in any activity related to the fight against C-IEDs.

COUNTER IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

The Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED CoE), one of 26 NATO Accredited Centres of Excellence, is located in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

Its mission is to provide expert support to NATO, NATO partners and the International Community in the fight against the IED System in order to increase the security of deployed troops by reducing or eliminating the IED threat, especially from terrorist and insurgent networks.

The Centre was offered by Spain to NATO as part of its network of Centres of Excellence and was accredited by the Alliance in November 2010.

The Centre is currently staffed by personnel from the 12 NATO-sponsoring nations: Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, the United States, France, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Turkey.