The Spanish Navy concludes its participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

This morning, the Tercio de Armada in San Fernando (Cádiz) welcomed the Spanish Marine Corps Expeditionary Force (FIMEX LH-XVIII) detached in the Lebanon, and the Spanish Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) from Afghanistan (ASPFOR XXXII), once their missions were accomplished: ‘Libre Hidalgo’ and ‘Romeo Alfa’ respectively.

The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff (AJEMA), admiral general Jaime Muñoz-Delgado.

With the redeployment of these 44 Marines who were part of a six-month UNIFIL contingent, the Spanish Navy has put an end to a 7 year presence in the Lebanon.

In September 2006, the Spanish Navy was the first Spanish Service to provide a contingent to the UN mission in the Lebanon, pursuant to the UN 1701 Security Council Resolution.

During that period nearly 800 Navy personnel, mainly Marines, have taken part in this mission, along with Army units and contingents from other nations, monitoring cessation of hostilities and helping ensure humanitarian access to civilian population after the 2006 crisis between Israel and the Lebanon.

The ceremony was also attended by the five Marines from the Tactical Air Control Party recently returned from Afghanistan. The main tasks of this highly specialized Party are advising the Command on the use of air assets: request, coordinate and conduct close air strikes in support of deployed units.

The Spanish Marine Corps still has a similar TACP Team in the Afghan region of Badghis supporting on-going operations.