Torrejón Combined Air Operations Centre Commemorates Greece's National Day

• The event was attended by the new Ambassador of Greece to Spain

The Greek Ambassador to Spain, Aglaia Baltá, visited the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre located in Torrejón de Ardoz (CAOCT) as part of the celebration of Greece's National Day. The Centre is permanently staffed with 17 members of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), integrated into the international command structure and the National Support Element .

The delegation was received upon arrival by the CAOCT Commander, Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sánchez de Lara, and later participated in the military ceremony to commemorate Greece's National Day, also known as Greek Independence Day, celebrated on March 25th. This date is one of the most significant in Greek history as it marks the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821.

In his speech, General Sánchez de Lara highlighted Greece's commitment to NATO, dating back to 1952, and its involvement in NATO's air policing mission since its inception in 1961. The general reminded that Greece's strategic geographical position, along with the advanced capabilities of the Hellenic Air Force, play a vital role in NATO's security. This was further demonstrated in recent exercises such as Ramstein Flag 25, conducted in Greece, which focused on integrated air and missile defence training—a first of its kind ever held on European soil.

Ambassador Baltá took the opportunity to express her gratitude to the CAOCT personnel for their work in ensuring the security of European skies, praising the NATO military personnel dedication to serviceShe also highlighted the efforts of her fellow countrymen, who, far from home, contribute to the well-being of Greek citizens.

COMBINED AIR OPERATIONS CENTRE TORREJÓN (NATO)

The main mission of the Torrejón CAOCT, under the direct command of a Lieutenant General of the Spanish Air and Space Army, is to plan, direct, coordinate, supervise, analyse and report on air defence operations in Southern Europe, following the directives of the NATO Air Component Command on which it depends and with the resources assigned to NATO by the nations in peacetime. 

The Spanish Armed Forces make an important contribution to the mission carried out by this centre. Some 120 Spanish military personnel serve in the CAOCT itself as well as in the National Support Element (NSE) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency Unit (NCIA).