The Torrejón Combined Air Operations Center joins in commemorating Hungary's National Day

• The event was attended by the new Hungarian ambassador to Spain

The Hungarian ambassador to Spain, Pál György Habsburg-Lothringen, visited NATO's Combined Air Operations Center in Torrejón de Ardoz (CAOCT) to attend the commemoration of his country's national holiday. The Center has six permanent members of the Hungarian Air Force, who are part of the international command structure and the national support element (NSE).

The delegation was welcomed upon arrival by the Commander-in-Chief of CAOCT, Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sánchez de Lara, and later joined the military ceremony commemorating Hungary's National Day (October 23), which celebrates the 1956 Hungarian Revolution against the communist government and Soviet occupation.

n his speech, General Sánchez de Lara welcomed the ambassador on his first visit to this Unit,in  which representatives from 19 nations participate. He highlighted Hungary's commitment to NATO as a member of the Alliance since 1999, an organization that maintains the same values as when it was founded: to guarantee the defense and security of our nations in alliance with the other members of the Euro-Atlantic area. General Sánchez de Lara emphasized that Hungary's commitment allows for better defense of the air space of all NATO member nations, eliminating dividing borders and creating a seamless area.

For his part, Ambassador Pál György thanked CAOCT staff for their work in achieving the goal of the safety of European skies, mentioning the NATO military's dedication to service. He made special mention of the work of his fellow Hungarians who, so far from home, contribute to the well-being of Hungarian citizens.

TORREJÓN COMBINED AIR OPERATIONS CENTER (NATO)

The CAOC Torrejón, under the direct command of a lieutenant general of the Spanish Air and Space Force, has as its main mission to plan, direct, coordinate, supervise, analyze, and report on air defense operations in Southern Europe, following the directives of the NATO Air Component Command on whom it depends and with the resources that nations assign to NATO in peacetime.

The Spanish Armed Forces make a significant contribution to the mission carried out by this center. Some 120 Spanish military personnel serve both at the CAOC itself and in the National Support Element (NSE) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) Unit.