By Petty Officer Eddie Kgomo
WHY ROTA?
The main reason why the SAS Mendi visited Rota was to take
up fuel for the journey home and to load the final victuals. The visit
to Rota was considered as an official visit, hence the courtesy calls
the previous day. The day commenced as per normal when the ship's
company was getting ready to proceed with the day's activities by
mustering on the flight deck.
Naval Base Rota is a Spanish joint utilization base under a
bilateral agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United States
of America. It is located in the Cadiz Bay between the town of Rota
and El Puerto de Santa Maria. It occupies an area of 2 300 hectare
with a perimeter of 26 km, and the coastline is 6 km long.
Colonel Chris Pheiffer (South African Military Attaché to Spain),
Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Litchfield-Tshabalala, Captain Packer and
six members from the ship's company visited Naval Base Rota on
invitation by the Spanish Navy. The group was welcomed by a delegation
consisting of Rear Admiral Qeutálo Rodiguet Qoútalet-Aller, Captain
Teruaidet de los Ros and Captain Camoua.
The Tactical Computer Programme Director, Captain Eduardo Valledo,
started his presentation by showing how new pilot recruits are trained
in a simulator. The Tactical Computer Programme is designed
specifically for pilot training. The courses are divided into
classroom work, reading material (mainly magazines), a mobile
simulator and an area network.
He took the visitors to the simulator room where Lieutenant
Commander C. Dmeneiro Sainsel presented the course programme of the
new pilot recruits. A company called Telvent designs the simulator
programme. Jose Megias-Carrasco, Francisco Javier Rodriguez Carvajal
(Simulation Head of Department) and Juan Beltran Bengoechea (Command
and Control Adviser) were present at the presentation.
Major Jose Calderon of the Spanish NATO Forces gave a presentation
with regard to their responsibility in NATO assignment. He mentioned
that these forces are divided into two groups namely the NATO Assign
Force (National) and the NATO Response Force (International).
COCKTAIL FUNCTION
To show our appreciation for their hospitality and assistance a
cocktail function was hosted by the Officer Commanding SAS Mendi,
Captain Kevin Packer. The function was held in the wardroom on board
the ship. The admirals and commanding officers of the Spanish naval
units and ships in Rota were invited.
The menu was not a typical South African cuisine but Spanish
instead, because the SAS Mendi has no South African victuals on
board. It was, however, enjoyed by all.
Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Litchfield-Tshabalala, thanked the
Spanish Navy for the friendliness, assistance and goodwill that exists
between the two Navies, after which the Spanish Navy responded
similarly.
