The first missions to Iraq

On 20th March 2003 the humanitarian supplies offered by the Spanish government to the Iraqi people left the military base in Rota (Cádiz) aboard three Navy ships: the oil tanker “Marqués de la Ensenada”, the frigate “Reina Sofía” and the amphibious assault ship “Galicia”. Rear Admiral Juan Antonio Moreno Susanna was in command of the ships, which carried 900 Navy and Army personnel.

On 9 April “Galicia” arrived at the Umm Qasr port, where it docked to start functioning as a field hospital run by the Army’s Advanced Medical Unit. In addition, it distributed humanitarian aid such as food and medicines to Iraqi civilians.

On 27 April the Spanish government approved the remodelling of the force sent to Iraq. The number of forces initially envisioned was raised to 1,300. As a consequence of this decision, the three ships returned to Spain. The last one to return was the amphibious assault ship "Galicia", which arrived in the port of Rota on 15 July after 72 days of humanitarian mission.