Send-off of new contingent for operation ‘Active Fence’

The mayor presenting the Standard of the Group (Photo: Valencia & Castellón HQ)

General De los Santos presiding over the ceremony (Photo: Valencia & Castellón HQ)

The 81st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment has seen off its first contingent to take part in NATO’s mission to protect the Turkish skies, operation "Active Fence". The ceremony took place on 12 January at the base “General Almirante” in Marines (Valencia). Prior to its departure, the contingent underwent the training necessary to operate the Patriot system, thus becoming one of the most competent units in its use within the Spanish Army.

The ceremony was presided over by General José Miguel de los Santos, head of Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command, and María Dolores Celda, mayor of Marines. The latter presented Lieutenant Colonel Juan Carlos Pérez, chief of the contingent, with the Standard of the Group, which was donated by the town council.

Once in Turkey the contingent will relieve the 74th AAAR, which was responsible for setting up the first two rotational forces in this operation because until last summer it was the only unit to be equipped with the Patriot system. Its wide knowledge and experience have been extremely useful in the training of the new contingent.

Over the next six months, the roughly 130 soldiers who make up the contingent will be based at Incirlik Air Base, near the Turkish town of Adana. They will be contributing to the protection of the Turkish people from possible missile attacks from third countries.