Ambassador Aparici was received by Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse, commander of the ARRC. The head of the Spanish Mission highlighted the work of this unit and the importance of Spain's participation as a demonstration of our country's commitment to the Atlantic Alliance. Ambassador Aparici noted that "in today's world, no nation can face challenges alone."
The Ambassador also awarded the Cross of Military Merit, White Distinction, to an Italian Officer stationed at the headquarters and to a British citizen, who assisted a Spanish soldier who suffered a cardiac arrest last year near his home.
The ARRC is the headquarters within the NATO force structure with rapid deployment capabilities, under the new Allied Rapid Reaction Force concept. It currently comprises 426 members from twenty countries.