Exercise MILEX-18

The Crisis Management Exercise MILEX-18 has been conducted in Rota between the 16th and 24th of April. This Command Post Exercise was focused on the military aspect of crisis management at strategic/military and operational level and framed within the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP).

The Planning authority was the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and the Executive Authority was the Director of the EU Military Staff, Lieutenant-General Esa Pulkkinen.

The Operation Commander was Vice-admiral Antonio Martorell who performed as ES EU OHQ in Rota. His Staff was supported with personnel from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.

The Force Commander was Rear admiral Ricardo Atanasio Hernández (ES EU FHQ) whose staff was reinforced with personnel from Germany and Italy. The HQ was on board the LPD ‘Castilla’.

The European Union Military Staff (EUMS) provided the Directing Staff (DISTAFF) located in Brussels with some advanced elements deployed at the ES EU OHQ.

The scenario was focused on the maritime aspects of crisis management in a fictional setting. It enabled the ES EU HQ to apply the practical experience gained from the Spanish contribution to the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) maritime operations.

Representatives of the UN, NATO as well as of Partner Countries were invited to observe the conduct of the exercise. One of the phases consisted in the transfer of the operational planning responsibilities from the EUMS to the ES EU OHQ.

During the Distinguished Visitors Day at Rota for national and European authorities, the Spanish Minister of Defense María Dolores de Cospedal attended a meeting accompanied by the Chief of the Defense Staff, Army General Fernando Alejandre and the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, Admiral Teodoro E. López Calderón.

The Minister underlined the fact that Spain is fully committed with the common defense of Europe both at political and operational level. Our nation is currently participating in six international operations under the European flag and these endeavors started in 2003 when the first EU mission took place.