US Ambassador to Spain visits the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón

• The delegation participated in the traditional hoisting of the flag commemorating US National Day  

The United States Ambassador to Spain, Julissa Reynoso, accompanied by the Political Counsellor for Foreign Affairs, Joan Perkins, and the Air Attaché, Colonel David Carlson, visited the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain (CAOC Torrejón) on Tuesday.

Upon arrival at the Centre, the US delegation was welcomed by CAOC’s Commander, Lieutenant General Fernando de la Cruz. After signing the Unit's Honour Book, a work meeting took place, in which current affairs were discussed.

This was followed by the commemoration of the United States National Day with the traditional hoisting of the national flag.  

General De la Cruz conveyed his gratitude to the American ambassador for her visit and for her participation in the military ceremony. He also thanked her country for his contribution to the air surveillance mission that is carried out permanently under the command of the CAOC to reinforce the security of the airspace on the southern flank of Europe.

The ambassador thanked the general for holding the ceremony and, on behalf of the president of the United States, recognized the effort made by Spain, and in particular by Madrid, to host the NATO Summit. Finally, the ambassador highlighted in her message the importance that the Alliance continues to have today as an instrument for collective defence against old and new threats.

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).