The light transport ships ‘El Camino Español’ and ‘Martín Posadillo’ have just returned to Cartagena after transferring a Spanish Army ‘Patriot’ anti-air missile battery with all related sub-systems: ordnance, launching vehicle and weapons system.
The Spanish contingent will contribute to the anti-missile defense in the NATO and Turkish air space deploying six ‘Patriot’ missile launchers with their associated radar systems, relieving -as of this month- the Dutch units. The Spanish battery joins the existing systems from the U.S. and Germany already deployed in the area.
Upon their arrival, the ships were welcomed by the Cartagena Maritime Action Units Commander, Captain Juan Escrigas. They made scheduled ports of call in Heraklion (Greece), Naples and Cagliari (Italy).
The ‘El Camino Español’ and ‘Martín Posadillo’ are Army transport ships manned by Spanish Navy personnel with home port is Cartagena Naval Base. They are usually employed for all type of Army shipping requirements.