Combined Air Operations Centre celebrates Montenegro’s National Day

• The representative of the Montenegrin embassy in Spain highlighted the Centre's relevance to guarantee airspace security of the allied countries

The CAOC Torrejón celebrated the Montenegro’s National Day. A delegation from that country's embassy in Spain, headed by Aleksandra Dakovic, Chargé d´affaires, participated in the event.

The delegation was welcomed upon arrival at the CAOC by the Commander of the Unit, Lieutenant General Fernando De la Cruz. After a brief meeting, in which the authorities discussed current issues, a military ceremony was held to commemorate Montenegro’s National Day, proceeding with the traditional hoisting of the country's flag.

During his speech, General De la Cruz thanked the Montenegrin representatives for their participation in the military ceremony held at the CAOC to commemorate the national day of their country.

The commander also thanked Montenegro for its contribution to the collective effort to defend the airspace on the southern flank and its defence of the democratic values shared by the allies.

After a brief historical review during her speech, in which she reviewed the relevance of the so-called 'State Day', the representative of the Montenegrin embassy highlighted the key mission carried out by the CAOC Torrejón, emphasizing the source of pride that it is for her country to contribute to this collective effort for the common defence of the borders and interests shared by the members of the Alliance

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).