BASE NAVAL DE ROTA, Spain (July 4, 2025) – Members of the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, as well as civilians and contractors for the U.S. Department of Defense held a ceremonial flag raising in front of U.S. Naval Station Rota headquarters to commemorate the 249th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, July 3, 2025. The flag raising featured a color guard representing each of the four U.S. military services represented on the base and a formation of more than 200 military personnel from U.S. Naval Station Rota’s directorates and some of the 45 supported commands also stationed on the installation. This ceremony is an annual tradition for U.S. Naval Station Rota and marks the only day of the year that the U.S. flag is raised in front of U.S. Naval Station Rota’s headquarters, with the exception of change of command ceremonies. This is due to the U.S. installation being housed on Base Naval de Rota, a Spanish Armada base, and because the Agreement of Defense Cooperation between the United States and Spain does not permit any other flag other than the Spanish flag on Spanish military installations. The celebrations continued on July 4, the official Independence Day of the United States of America, with Independence Fest, an event hosted by the U.S. Naval Station Rota’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation department. Independence Fest played host to hundreds of American service members, civilians, contractors, and their families, as well as Spanish guests from the Armada and surrounding localities. Americans and Spaniards alike enjoyed games, music, and food from local vendors at Independence Fest. Independence Fest was capped by a country music performance by singer RaeLynn followed by fireworks. The event was officially opened with a speech by Capt. Charles Chmielak, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Activities Spain and U.S. Naval Station Rota. “This is a great way to commemorate our nation’s birthday, and we are honored to celebrate this occasion alongside our Spanish allies,” said Chmielak. “Thank you to the Armada, Local Nationals, the community of Rota, as well as our partner localities in the Province of Cadiz for your continued support and being here today.” Independence Fest also offered an opportunity for Americans and Spaniards to celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Navy and the Spanish contribution to the American War of Independence. As the "Gateway to the Mediterranean,” NAVSTA Rota provides U.S, NATO and allied forces a strategic hub for operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. NAVSTA Rota is a force multiplier, capable of promptly deploying and supporting combat-ready forces through land, air, and sea, enabling warfighters and their families, sustaining the fleet, and fostering the long-standing, 250-year-long U.S. and Spanish partnership. For more information about U.S. Naval Activities Spain/U.S. Naval Station Rota, Spain, go to the installation’s website at https://cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVSTA-Rota/ or follow the installation Naval Station Rota, Spain on Facebook, @navstarotaspain on Instagram, or @NAVSTA_Rota on X.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2025 07:56 |
| Story ID: | 542163 |
| Location: | ROTA, ES |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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