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On February 4, the Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra, Mrs Wendy Drukier, paid a visit to NATO's southern Combined Air Operations Centre at Torrejón.   

"It is an honour to welcome the Madam Ambassador Drukier in Spain and to show what we are doing here at CAOC Torrejon for the Alliance," said the CAOC Commander Lieutenant General Fernando De La Cruz. "The integrity of Alliance airspace is a collective responsibility and Canada is doing its part, sharing that responsibility with all our Allies," he added".

The Alliance is a cornerstone of Canada's international security policy. The importance of NATO to our common defence was made very clear in my visit to the CAOC in Torrejon

The CAOC leadership, Deputy Commander Brigadier General Athanasios Sextos (background left), Commander General Fernando de la Cruz (front left) and the Air Operations Centre Director, Brigadier General Sergio Pereira (right), during the operational briefing to the Canadian visitors Ambassador Wendy Drukier (second from left) and her aide John Métivier. Photo courtesy CAOC Torrejón.

During her discussions with General de la Cruz and the visit to the CAOC's operations floor, Ambassador Drukier said: "NATO is a cornerstone of Canada's international security policy. The Alliance is vital to Canada, and as a pillar of the rules-based international order, NATO remains central to Euro-Atlantic security, and essential to international stability," she added. Canada regularly participates in the NATO's enhanced Air Policing in Romania, a mission controlled by CAOC Torrejón

"The importance of NATO to our common defence was made very clear in my visit to the CAOC in Torrejon. It is always a pleasure to see all the contingents working so closely together to maintain our security every day. It was also wonderful to meet the members of the Canadian contingent and speak to them about their critical role in the CAOC," Ambassador Drukier concluded.