KSPFOR XXIII

The Spanish Force in Kosovo "Castilla y León" (Task Force KSPFOR XXIII), stationed on "Base España", in the locality of Istok, at the command of Colonel Javier Luís García Blázquez, began its mission on 4th May 2009, with the Transfer of Authority Ceremony (TOA), thus relieving Task Force "Valencia" at the command of Colonel Luís Francisco Rey Arroyo.

The twenty-third Spanish Force for Kosovo puts itself at the disposal of the United Nations through NATO, according to the commitment made by Spain, due to UNO Resolution 1244.

In all, the Spanish Force in Kosovo, constituted by Task Force "Castilla y León" and the Logistic Unit SK XXIII, is made up of 498 service persons, with core troops from the Field Artillery Command based in San Andrés del Rabanedo (León), and includes a Troop from 12th Cavalry Regiment "Farnesio" in Valladolid. The 21st Logistic Support Group based in Seville provides the core troops for the Logistic Unit.

Multinational Brigade Task Force West, based in Pec, is integrated by Spaniards, Italians, Romanians, Hungarian and Slovenians.

The Spanish mission within the Multinational Force Framework is:

• Maintaining a safe and secure environment (SASE) in the assigned Area of Responsibility, as well as guaranteeing the freedom of movements in the same, so contributing to attaining the security aspects of UNO Resolution 1244 and of the Agreement reached with Serbia.
• Undertaking special monitoring of enclaves, resettlements and heritage sites.
• Co-operating closely with the Police for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo-Police (UNMIK-P) and the Kosovan Police.
• Providing protection to the Force.