SPFOR XXIV

On 27th January Task Force SPFOR XXIV began a new mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina that will last until the end of May 2005.

Task Force SPFOR XXIV has core troops from the Field Artillery Command located in Astorga (León).

Under the command of Lt. Colonel Romero, present Staff Commander of the Field Artillery Command, the force is made up of 304 service people, of which 57 are from León and 54 from Astorga.

Additionally, from other Spanish cities there are 100 service people from Cádiz (Marines), 45 from Valencia and 27 from Burgos.

The unit composition is Command Headquarters, Headquarters Support Unit, Telecommunications unit, two Rifle Companies and Helicopter Unit, along with medical teams.

The Field Artillery Command was in charge of organising and carrying out this mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina between November 2003 and May 2004, under the auspices of NATO.

On this occasion the Spanish Task Force is integrated into the EU force (EUFOR), once the handover of this mission took place on 2nd December with the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR) giving rise to operation ALTHEA.