KSPFOR XXII

The Spanish Force in Kosovo "Valencia" (KSPFOR XXII), situated on Base "España", in the locality of Istok, at the command of Colonel Luis Francisco Rey Arroyo, began its mission on 16th December 2008, with the Transfer of Authority Ceremony (TOA), handing over from Task Force "Peñón de Vélez" at the command of Colonel Fernando Ortiz Díaz-Hellín.

The twenty-second Spanish Force for Kosovo puts itself at the disposition of the United Nations through NATO, in accordance with the commitment made by Spain due to UNO resolution 1244.

In all, Task Force "KSPFOR XXII" is made up of nearly 600 military personnel, with core troops from the 81st Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, belonging to the Anti-aircraft Artillery Command, based in Marines (Valencia), and is completed by, among others, personnel from the 74th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment in Dos Hermanas (Sevilla), the Anti-aircraft Artillery Command Signals Unit in Fuencarral (Madrid), the Light Infantry Regiment "El Príncipe" in Siero (Asturias) as well as the 8th Light Cavalry Regiment, Intelligence Regiment and Civic-Military Co-operation Battalion, all three from Valencia. 

Logistic support is provided by the 22nd Logistic Support Group in Granada. Lastly, it also includes a small Civil Guard detachment.

Multinational Brigade Task Force West, based in Pec, incorporated Spaniards, Italians, Rumanians, Hungarians and Slovenians.

The Spanish mission within the Multinational Force framework is:

• Maintain a safe and secure environment in the assigned Area of Responsibility, as well as guarantee the freedom of movements in the same, thus contributing to achieving the security aspects of UNO Resolution 1244 and the Accord signed with Serbia.
• Carry out special monitoring of enclaves, resettlements and national heritage sites.
• Co-operate closely with the UNO Interim Mission in Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Police.
• Provide protection to the Force.