Joint Special Sperations Command receives certification to lead Special Sperations of the Alliance's Response Force.

• The Headquarters of the Special Operations Component Command of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) successfully completes the certification phase.

The Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE in Spanish), after an eight-month long preparation period, receives certification to be the first Special Operations Component Command Headquarters (SOCC HQ) of Allied Reaction Force (ARF) 24 of NATO's new Force Model. 

This certification was carried out at the Retamares Base, where, under the direction of the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish), the capabilities of the MCOE were tested in the SOFEX-24 exercise. To ensure that this evaluation was conducted in accordance with NATO's rigorous standards, a verification team from NATO's Allied Special Operations Forces Command (Allied SOFCOM) travelled to Retamares. 

After this certification, the Special Operations Component Command will continue working to maintain the capabilities achieved, as well as participating in new exercises within NATO's planned schedule of activities, as preliminary steps before starting the period of alert or readiness on 1 July 2024. 

In SOFEX 24, a total of about 130 military personnel participated, belonging to different units of the Defence Staff, Army and Navy, as well as staff from the Transmissions Command of the Army, which is in charge of the installation, management and maintenance of the means for Command and Control within the Allied Reaction Force.