The Spanish Marine Corps concludes advising tasks for the National Afghan Army

Today, the ‘Tercio de Armada’ Headquarters in San Fernando (Cádiz) welcomed the Spanish Marines arriving home after their deployment in Afghanistan as part of the Spanish contingent integrated into the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The ceremony was presided over by the Commandant General of the Marine Corps, Major General Pablo Bermudo y de Espinosa.

The Spanish Navy five-month contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan consisted in a Military Advising Team and two Tactical Air Control Parties, one of which will remain in the theatre of operations until next May.

With the redeployment of this Military Advising Team, the Marine Corps concluded its advising tasks to the National Afghan Army which began in March 2012.

This 29-strong MC Team deployed in Afghanistan on October 26th 2012. During this period they provided support and military advising to several Afghan Army units in the province of Badghis.

With these endeavors, the military capabilities of the Afghan Army are upgraded and enhanced to fully take the leadership both in the planning and execution of the military operations against the widespread insurgency of the region.

The Tactical Air Control Parties, made up of 5 marines each, belong to the Landing Artillery Group of the Marine Corps Brigade. They form a Team that plans, requests and directs close air support and air strikes against enemy targets on the ground.