The Chief of Staff of the Armada (AJEMA) acknowledges the work of the crews of the frigates ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and ‘Méndez Núñez’ for their contribution to European security.

The AJEMA, Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez, visited the Ferrol Naval Base yesterday, May 27, along with the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, to personally acknowledge the crews of the frigates ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and ‘Méndez Núñez’ following their deployment to southern Cyprus as part of the French ‘Charles de Gaulle’ Carrier Task Group.

The mission, carried out against a backdrop of deteriorating regional tensions in the Middle East, has contributed to strengthening the security of Europe’s Southeastern flank and guaranteeing Allied freedom of action in the Eastern Mediterranean.

During his meeting with the crews, the AJEMA commended the efforts of the crews of both frigates, emphasizing that “the Armada has once again demonstrated its capability to operate in an integrated manner with our allies in highly demanding operational scenarios.” On her part, the minister expressed her gratitude for the work, responsibility, and professionalism of the crews, who have been supporting the French Task Group for over two months.

The air defense and detection capabilities of both frigates, along with the work carried out by their crews, have been essential in contributing to the protection of European territory and reinforcing regional stability.

The AJEMA also emphasized that “Spain and the Armada can be proud of the work carried out by their sailors wherever they are needed,” adding that “in a complex and changing international context, our units demonstrate every day their high readiness, responsiveness, and interoperability with allied navies.”

The Spanish participation in this operation highlights the Armada's commitment to collective security and to international missions aimed at maintaining peace and stability.

The frigates ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and ‘Méndez Núñez’ belong to the 31st Surface Squadron, which also includes the supply ships ‘Patiño’ and ‘Cantabria’ and the five ‘Álvaro de Bazán’-class frigates.

The Squadron stands out for its high operational readiness, flexibility and interoperability. These capabilities allow the Armada to maintain an effective presence in international operations and respond quickly to the challenges of the current strategic environment.