Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC TJ) celebrates Italy’s National Day

• The event coincided with the 'Festa della Repubblica' which is commemorated in Italy

Italy’s National Day was celebrated with a military ceremony in which the traditional flag raising took place at CAOC Torrejón.

The Italian Ambassador to Spain, Riccardo Guariglia, accompanied by his Defence Attaché, Captain Simone Malvagna, were welcomed upon arrival by the Commander of Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón (CAOC TJ), Lieutenant General Fernando de la Cruz Caravaca.

The authorities addressed a few words to the personnel participating in the military event during the ceremony.

During his speech, Lieutenant General de la Cruz thanked the Italian Ambassador for his participation in the ceremony held at the CAOC to commemorate the Italian National Day. General de la Cruz recognized the effort made by Italy in defending the airspace on the southern flank of Europe in compliance with the collective defence mission of the allied countries.

To conclude, the Italian Ambassador thanked Spain and, particularly, the CAOC Torrejón for the mission carried out from the Centre in the common objective of the collective defence of the Alliance's sovereign airspace, especially under the current security context. The Italian Ambassador stressed that it is necessary to maintain the progress achieved since the founding of NATO, guaranteeing the security of free citizens who share democratic values and a strong commitment to security and peace.

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).