Twenty-five years after the 11 September attacks, Spanish and US military personnel gathered at the Rota naval base for a ceremony led by Felipe VI and Defense Minister Margarita Robles. The event brought together both nations’ armed forces in a show of solidarity that remains as relevant today as it was in 2001.
The ceremony opened with a formal parade by the Honor Guard and the raising of both national flags. Felipe VI and US ambassador Benjamín León Jr. placed floral wreaths, carried by members of the US Navy and firefighters, at the center of the base. Helicopters from both countries flew overhead in formation, a visible sign of the operational cooperation that has long defined Rota.
"The Rota base has hosted annual 11 September memorial ceremonies, with both Spanish and American military personnel jointly organizing the event each year."
Ambassador León used the occasion to restate a message heard across NATO since the attacks: terrorism can cause pain and loss, but it cannot break the values that unite free societies. He recalled Spain’s immediate support for NATO’s Article 5 and its military contributions in the Mediterranean and Afghanistan, a record that reflects Spain’s commitment to collective security.
US Naval Activities Spain commander Charles Chmielak spoke about the practical side of the alliance, noting that the American community at Rota relied on Spanish support after the attacks. His remarks made clear that the partnership extends beyond ceremony: Spanish forces were present and ready to assist their US counterparts then and now.
This year’s ceremony comes as international security remains a central concern for both countries. The Rota base remains a strategic hub for NATO operations, and the annual commemoration has become a fixture in the calendar, reinforcing the alliance’s continuity. Felipe VI’s presence at the event for only the second time highlights the importance Madrid places on its transatlantic ties.
Information from official NATO statements, ceremonies across the Alliance marked the 25th anniversary of 11 September, with Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighting that the attacks led to the first-ever activation of Article 5. Spain was among the allies that supported this historic decision and later took part in operations in the Mediterranean and Afghanistan. That record reflects the depth of its commitment to collective defense.
NATO
While the focus was on remembrance, the event also pointed to Spain’s broader role in international security. As reported in recent coverage, Spain faces its own security challenges, from migration pressures to regional instability, making its partnership with the US and NATO all the more impressive.
Spain’s continued participation in NATO operations and its visible support for the US in moments of crisis reflect Madrid’s stated intention to remain a reliable partner as threats remain unpredictable and alliances are tested. The ceremony also highlighted that Spain’s commitment to collective defense is a matter of present and future policy, as well as history.
