The Operations Command welcomes students from the '13th National Defense Course for Young People'

• In addition to learning about operations abroad, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a video call with personnel deployed in Latvia and on the ship “Cantabria”.

The Operations Command (MOPS), located at the Retamares base in Pozuelo de Alarcón, received a visit from 35 students from the 13th National Defence Course for young people at the Centre for Higher Defence Studies (CESEDEN).

The attendees were welcomed by the MOPS Deputy Operations Officer, General Javier Betolaza Méndez, who thanked them for attending the course and assured them that "for us and all the Armed Forces, it is essential that Spanish society, and especially young people, be aware of the efforts made by our military personnel, on behalf of Spain, for international peace and security — and, therefore, for the Spanish people — in missions and operations within and beyond our borders."

The students attended a lecture on current overseas operations given by Lieutenant Colonel Diego Sotelo. During the lecture, the students were able to learn about the different characteristics of each operation, and the lieutenant colonel highlighted the commitment of all military personnel deployed around the world, as well as ‘the good image and prestige that the Spanish Armed Forces have within NATO’.

To conclude the activity, a connection was made with the Operations Zone. First, the head of the ground deployment force in Latvia, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Díaz Simón, outlined the tasks of his contingent on the eastern flank and stressed that ‘in Latvia, we are a benchmark for our commitment, professionalism and camaraderie, because by defending Latvia, we are defending the eastern flank of the Alliance; and by defending Europe, we are defending Spain, its interests and its allies.’

Afterwards, the commander of the Combat Supply Ship (BAC) “Cantabria”, Commander Manuel Romero Nieto, referred to the tasks of the ship and her crew, as well as explaining the two international exercises —within the framework of the Standing NATO Maritime Group No. 2 (SNMG-2)—in which they will participate in the coming months, with the aim of ‘continuing to contribute to Spain's security and defence from the waters of the Mediterranean’.

The course, aimed at a group of young people from a multidisciplinary background (politicians, journalists, teachers, graduates, military personnel and university students working in the field of security and defence), aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and opinions so that students can gain an overview of national defence. In the future, this training at CESEDEN will enable them to raise awareness of the importance of security and defence in the daily lives of Spaniards.

For its part, the Operations Command is the body responsible for operational planning, conducting and monitoring military operations, while advising the Chief of Defence on the strategic conduct of these operations both abroad and in Spain.