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

• The Slovenian ambassador to Spain, Robert Krmelj, took part in the ceremony held to commemorate the National Day of his country

The Slovenian ambassador to Spain, Robert Krmelj, visited the Combined Air Operations Centre, where he was welcomed upon arrival at the centre by the Commander of the CAOC Torrejón, Lieutenant General Fernando De la Cruz.

CAOC’s Commander had a brief meeting with the Slovenian ambassador. Afterwards, the Slovenian National Day was commemorated with a military ceremony in which all CAOC personnel, personnel from the NCIA detachment at the CAOC, as well as the different national support elements participated. In the military ceremony the traditional raising of the flag was carried out.

Lieutenant General De la Cruz thanked the Slovenian representative for his visit to the Centre to share his National Day with all the staff. Likewise, he highlighted Slovenia's contribution to the security of the airspace on the southern flank of the Alliance. The Commander also had words of thanks for the Slovenian personnel assigned to the CAOC for their contribution to the permanent air surveillance mission and other activities in which they have taken part.

The Slovenian ambassador stressed that his country is a reliable member and wanted to underline Slovenia's commitment to the objective of guaranteeing the security of all Alliance members as well as continuing to actively contribute to the rest of NATO's common objectives and interests.

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).