Spanish Minister of Defense, Carme Chacon, visits the Spanish base in Qala i Naw and the Forward Operating Base in Sang-Atesh, Badghis Province.

 After her visit to ISAF headquarters in Kabul, the Spanish Minister of Defense Mrs Carme Chacon, along with the Defense Chief of Staff, General Jose Julio Rodriguez traveled to Qala-i-Naw to inaugurate the new military facilities in the province of Badghis.

       

Minister Chacon addressed the gathered troops of the Spanish contingent, expressing her satisfaction for General Petraus´s congratulation to the Spanish performance and reiterated the ultimate goal of the mission. “Every time that we train a soldier or a security officer, we take a step forward to the end of the mission”. In this regard, the head of the Spanish Defense stressed that this year, more than 2,000 Afghan soldiers and 250 police officers will be trained by Spanish troops. She also recalled that the Spanish and International troops mission is only temporary. “We will consider our mission accomplished when Afghans can ensure their own security. That is the reason why we are so focused on training activities” the Minister stated.

Likewise, Mrs Chacon highlighted the progress and advances in military matters and living condition provided for the Afghan population within the ISAF framework. As an example of these advances, the Minister mentioned education, health care and the recovery of essential lines of communication such as Lithium Road, where the Spanish soldiers, along with Afghan National Army and Coalition Forces are widening the surveillance and control of the area.

After the official inauguration of the new Spanish Base, called “Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo”, she traveled by helicopter to the new Forward Operating Base in Sang-Atesh, where, after attending a brief exposition about the deployed units´ activities, she visited several positions. During this visit, she met with some Afghan soldiers, who are partnering with the Spanish troops, and she was very impressed.

Afterwards, she went back to Qala i Naw, where she made a toast and passed on an audiovisual message from the Spanish National team World Champions. Furthermore, she gave away a National Team shirt signed by all player to the Spanish contingent in Afghanistan.

After having lunch with the soldiers, she flew back to Kabul to return to Spain.