Major General Silvela, COS HQ NRDC-ESP, inspecting the tropos in formation
Transfer of HQ NRDC-ESP combat flag
Signing of handover certificates
The rotation of the Corps Forward Element, CFE IV (b), deployed at Malacky Air Base (MAB), Slovakia, and under the operational control of the Spanish Operations Command (MOPS), has relieved CFE IV. The CFE has been deployed in Kuchyňa since March 2024.
The ceremony was presided over by Major General Enrique Silvela Díaz-Criado, Chief of Staff of the Headquarters NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain (HQ NRDC-ESP). Notably, Major General Martin Michalko, Chief of the Joint Operations Command in Banská Bystryca (Slovakia), Major General Laszlo Garas (HUN), deputy commander of Multinacional Division Centre (HQ MND-C, Szèkesfehérvár, Hungary), Spain’s 2nd Ambassador to Slovakia, Laura Carratalá, and mayors of nearby towns and military representatives from Slovakia and Hungary were in attendance.
During the transfer of authority ceremony, Colonel Pérez Herrero, commander of CFE IV, presented the HQ NRDC-ESP combat flag to Colonel Puime Maroto, the new commander of CFE IV.
In his address, Colonel Puime reiterated that ‘our presence in Slovakia serves to reinforce our unwavering commitment to our allies within the Eastern Flank, thereby fulfilling the obligations undertaken within the framework of international security and defence organisations, and contributing our forces and capabilities to improving collective security.’ He concluded by emphasising that this joint effort by European allies will be fruitful, and that our presence on the Eastern Flank sends a clear message that solidarity among allies not only strengthens and guarantees the collective security of Europe, but also reaffirms our commitment and reinforces the defence of the freedom and democratic values shared by our nations.
Next, the awards ceremony took place, during which General Martin Michalko presented Colonel Pérez Herrero with the Slovak Republic’s Medal of Merit. Next, General Silvela presented the Military Merit Cross with white ribbon to Colonel Peter Vyrostek, former head of the Malacky Air Base, concluding with the presentation of the NATO Vigilance non Article 5 medal to the members of CFE IV.
The force in Kuchyňa is composed of the CFE (Corps Forward Element) with personnel from the CGTAD/HQ NRDC-ESP (Bétera, Valencia); a helicopter unit with personnel from the 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion (Almagro, Ciudad Real) and the 3rd Maneuver Helicopter Battalion (Agoncillo, La Rioja); and signal units from the 21st Signal Regiment (Marines, Valencia) and the 1st Signal Regiment (Huesca). It also receives support from an Advanced Element of the NSE.
This operation reflects Spain’s firm and sustained commitment to the stability of the Alliance’s eastern flank. Through the deployed Corps Forward Element (CFE), strategic deterrence, operational readiness and multinational cooperation are strengthened. The presence of the CFE increases situational awareness and optimises coordination with the assigned military authorities. In this way, Spain consolidates its effective contribution to regional security and stability within an allied framework.