The broadest horizons

Afghanistan: ‘Resolute Support’

Iraq: ‘Support to Iraq’

Mali: ‘EUTM-Mali’

Central African Republic: ‘EUMAM-RCA’

Turkey: ‘Active Fence’

Permanent operations

AFGHANISTAN

'Resolute Support'

The mission in Afghanistan is the most demanding the Army has taken part in its recent history. In January 2015 Spain reduced its participation in Operation “Resolute Support”, which provides training, advice and support to the Afghan security forces and institutions at the highest level. After redeployment from the base at Herat in late October, only around twenty Spanish soldiers remain. They are stationed at mission headquarters in Kabul.

During the closing ceremony at Herat on 24 October, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría received the national flag which had flown over the base after it was lowered for the last time. The last members of the contingent then returned home: From the Army, the soldiers of the Protection Force and the Logistic Unit – charged with redeployment, including dismantling the facilities which would not be transferred to the Afghans –, and from the Air Force, those who had provided air traffic control at Herat airport as well as Role 2 medical training.

The ceremony marked the end of ten years of Spanish presence in Herat and of the operations of the Spanish Armed Forces in Afghanistan, where the Army has been the branch with the most prominent role. 29,861 soldiers and civil guards took part in the mission since 2002, 102 of whom lost their lives.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

'Althea'

This is a European Union mission to advise the Bosnian Armed Forces in the areas of Doctrine, Interoperability, Standardisation and Training. Spain currently contributes four soldiers, stationed at operation headquarters in Sarajevo.

IRAQ

'Support to Iraq'

The task of training Iraqi brigades so that they are better able to fight Daesh is carried out by several contingents, among them 300 Spanish soldiers. Most of the instructors and the Protection Force which accompanies them are stationed at the base “Gran Capitán” in Besmayah. In addition, there are Special Operation teams in Baghdad and Taji.

LEBANON

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

This is one of the oldest Spanish operations and currently engages almost 600 soldiers. The main aim of their presence is to deter the parties to the conflict from resuming hostilities. Their daily activities include patrols along the Blue Line, liaison with the Lebanese Armed Forces, Civil-Military Cooperation and the Cervantes Spanish language programme.

MALI

'EUTM-Mali'

The European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-Mali) includes a team of instructors and a protection unit from the Spanish Army, deployed at the Koulikoro Training Centre. In addition, additional Spanish personnel are stationed at headquarters in Bamako.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

'EUMAM-RCA'

The European Union Military Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic includes a Spanish protection unit which provides security, escort and support to the team of military advisors which assists the Central African authorities in the reform of the country's security sector. They have had to deal with situations such as repelling attacks (like the one which took place on 6 November, when they were escorting a convoy) and reinforcing the security of the EU delegation when it visited the country.

SENEGAL

Cooperative security mission

Spanish instructors specialised on NBC defence, IED training and different engineering specialties together with soldiers from the Parachute Brigade and Special Operations have been in the country to train its Armed Forces in different fields. Members of the 7th Light Infantry Brigade “Galicia” are currently there training patrol leaders.

SOMALIA

'EUTM-Somalia'

The European Union Training Mission in Somalia is based in Mogadishu. Spain is contributing instructors and advisors, who operate at the highest level (Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Staff) in order to help develop administrative procedures and adequate command and control.

TURQUÍA

'Active Fence'

NATO launched this operation in 2013 to protect Turkey from possible missile attacks from third countries such as Syria. Spain joined the operation in 2015 with a Patriot Battery installed at the military base in Adana and a contingent of artillerymen who take turns to man the battery around the clock.

PERMANENT OPERATIONS

The operational structure of the Armed Forces comprises three commands: Maritime Surveillance & Security Command; Defence & Aerial Operations Command; and Cyber Defence Joint Command. They are in a constant state of activation for surveillance and security operations in Spain’s sea and air space, and in the Armed Forces’ networks and information and telecommunication systems. All three commands integrate Army components:

Navy

• EUNAVFOR “Atalanta”

• EUCAP “Nestor”

• “Active Endeavour”

• EUNAVFOR “Sophia”

• NATO permanent naval operations

• Cabo Verde

Air Force

• EUNAVFOR “Atalanta”

• “Active Endeavour”

• Support to Mali and Senegal

• Support to the Central African Republic and Gabon

• “Baltic Air Policing”