Rota Naval Station (Base Naval de Rota)

Rota Naval Station is located in Rota, Province of Cádiz, Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar. Originally constructed in the 19th century as the headquarters of the Spanish Fleet, the installation has been jointly operated by the Spanish Navy and the United States military since 1953. During the Cold War, the base supported U.S. Navy Submarine Squadron 16, which operated SSBN submarines armed with Polaris and Poseidon missiles between 1964 and 1979. Historically, the airfield hosted U.S. aviation squadrons VQ-2 and VR-22 alongside maritime patrol aircraft.

The installation operates under the command of a Spanish Vice Admiral. Internal security is managed jointly by Spain and the United States, while the Spanish Navy handles external security. The facility houses the Spanish Fleet Headquarters, the Naval Action Force, Naval Action Group 2, and the 41st Escort Squadron. The Spanish Navy's Aircraft Flotilla (FLOAN) operates from the base, fielding fixed-wing, helicopter, and UAV squadrons comprising approximately 660 personnel. Additionally, the European Union Naval Force directs Operation Atalanta from an Operational Headquarters located on site.

The U.S. presence includes the headquarters for Commander, U.S. Naval Activities Spain, alongside Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force contingents. The U.S. Navy stations Destroyer Squadron 60 (Task Force 65) at Rota, forward-deploying multiple Arleigh Burke-class destroyers as part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach missile defense system. Aviation elements include Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Nine (HSM-79), which operates MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight is also garrisoned at the installation.

The complex covers approximately 6,100 acres, combining a seaport and a 670-acre airfield. The U.S. Navy maintains shared infrastructure on the station, which encompasses three active piers, support facilities, and family housing. The seaport provides pier-side maintenance, cargo, fuel, and ammunition handling, alongside wash-down facilities for Amphibious Readiness Groups. The airfield serves as a gateway for U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command flights transiting between Europe, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Personnel at the base also telecontrol the VLF-transmitter Guardamar, a communications antenna located off-site.