NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain –
Senior leaders from the U.S. Navy and Spanish Armada gathered aboard Naval Station Rota to celebrate the opening of the installation’s Shipboard Electronics Systems Evaluation Facility (SESEF), Sept. 14, 2017.
SESEFs are land-based test sites that facilitate the testing of ship’s electromagnetic transmitting and receiving equipment. This is the seventh SESEF site operated worldwide but the only one in Europe.
Rear Adm. Daniel Dwyer, chief of staff, deputy chief of staff for strategy, policy, and requirements, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, presided over the ribbon-cutting event. He was joined by Spanish Navy Vice Adm. Antonio Sanchez Godinez, director of naval construction, logistics support, and Spanish Navy Vice Adm. Santiago Gonzalez Gomez, admiral of logistics support, Bay of Cadiz.
“It’s essential that our forward-deployed naval forces and other partners in our area of operations have access to the best systems available and have the support they need to maintain optimal readiness,” said Dwyer. “The support provided by these facilities ensures that our Sailors have the ability to operate equipment that is calibrated to the highest standards thereby maintaining a superior state of readiness and ability to respond to any number of challenges which appear in the maritime.”
SESEFs offer a complete array of electromagnetic testing capabilities. Emphasis is placed on providing real-time data analysis while reducing on-station testing time for fleet units.
“The SESEF here in Rota, Spain will serve a critical function by providing quick-look operability tests to vital systems our ships rely upon while underway and conducting systems performance testing to determine combat system material readiness prior to deployment and immediately after completion of an availability period,” said Dwyer. “SESEF installations are essential to maintaining the sharpest edge in the electronic and information warfare areas.”
Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.