Celebration of Romania National Day at the Combined Air Operations Centre in Torrejon

• The commander-in-chief of the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón thanked the Romanian ambassador for the contribution of his country to NATO's permanent air surveillance mission

The Romanian Ambassador to Spain, George Gabriel Bologan, accompanied by the Defence Attaché, Colonel Ioan Florin Liuta, visited this morning the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain (CAOCT).

The Romanian delegation was received on arrival at the CAOCT by the Commander-in-Chief of the Unit, Lieutenant General Fernando de la Cruz. After a brief working meeting, in which the Romanian ambassador signed the book of honour, a military ceremony was held in commemoration of Romania's National Day, during which the traditional raising of the Romanian flag took place. 

Lieutenant General De la Cruz thanked the Romanian ambassador for his contribution to the permanent mission of surveillance of the airspace under the responsibility of the CAOC on the Alliance's southern flank and for the Romanian support to Allied air detachments in his country to reinforce surveillance in that area.

 During his speech, the Romanian ambassador thanked the allies for their participation in the 'Enhanced Air Policing' mission sponsored by his country, for their contribution to the protection of the airspace and the defence of the common interests of the countries of the alliance. The ambassador also thanked General de la Cruz for organising the event to commemorate Romania National Day and for the support provided by Spain to the CAOC mission.

Combined Air Operations Centre-Torrejón

The main mission 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 as well as to the National Support Element (NSE) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA).