Location
Naval Station Rota, Spain is located 6 hours (1 hour by air) south of Madrid, and 1.5 from Seville. Andalucia, the country’s southernmost self-governing region, which boasts 500 miles of beaches (“playas”), crystal blue seas, and rolling countrysides rich in sunflowers, olive trees and flourishing vineyards is home to NS Rota. Known as the “Florida of Europe,” Andalucia and its Costa del Sol, or “Coast of Sun,” attract northern vacationers who come not only for the beaches and mild weather, but for flamenco dancing, bullfights and festivals. The economy of Spain is the fifth largest in Europe, accounting for about nine percent of European Union output. Yet, per capita income is among the lowest in the European Union, which translates to a low, yet comfortable, cost of living.
History
In September 1953, after almost two years of surveys, negotiations and planning, the governments of the United States and Spain signed economic aid and defense agreements. Construction of the naval base at Rota had already begun under the technical supervision of the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks. Known as the Gateway to the Mediterranean, Naval Station Rota is strategically located near the Straits of Gibraltar, halfway between the United States and Southwest Asia. The 6,000-acre, Spanish-owned installation provides vital support to both the U.S. Sixth Fleet and to the U.S. Air Force Mobility Command units transiting into or through the theater.
Mission
Service to the Sixth Fleet and the US Air Force Air Mobility Command Unit is the primary mission of Rota. This port is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean. Naval Station, Rota, and its tenant commands help keep fuel oil, ammunition, and spare parts flowing to the operating forces.
Population Served
Naval Station Rota and its tenant commands employ about 3,000 Americans, including military, civilians (300), and their families, within a 25-mile area. There is a large influx of U.S. military retirees in the area. Rota, a town of 28,000 nearest to the naval base, is one of many small, whitewashed villages (“pueblos blancos”) on the Atlantic coast of Spain. In the summer, Rota’s population swells to about 100,000 with vacationing Europeans.
Base Transportation
Naval Station Rota offers a regular bus service on base for free, Monday through Friday from 6:00 am- 9:00 am and 3:00 pm-6:00 pm, except on Spanish holidays. The bus stops at convenient locations around base at scheduled times. Please visit the Fleet and Family Support Center for a schedule of times and locations.
Sponsorship
Your sponsor will offer all necessary assistance to make your move as smooth as possible. Typically, sponsors send you a Welcome Aboard Package, help with making temporary lodging arrangements, answer questions, and provide useful information for your transition overseas. If you have not been assigned a sponsor or contacted by anyone from Rota, please call the Relocation Assistance Counselor at the Fleet and Family Support Center, 011-34-956-82-3232 or DSN 314-727-3232 FREE .
Temporary Quarters
You must make reservations for temporary lodging before you arrive. Generally, newly arrived families will be required to obtain temporary accommodations upon arrival at the Navy Lodge, BOQ, BEQ, or commercial facilities. Families are required to stay at the Navy Lodge. If space is not available, a Certificate of Non-availability must be obtained from the Navy Lodge before making arrangements for accommodations in a community TLA facility. To make reservations, call 1-800-NAVY-INN or DSN 314-942-5173.
Relocation Assistance
The Relocation Assistance Counselor will meet you at the Naval Station Rota Air Terminal to guide you through the in-process procedure, ensure you have a sponsor, check on transportation for you to lodging, and greet you with a welcome package containing information about the installation. RAP services include a lending locker to use until your household goods arrive, information about child registration. Register for Intercultural Relations (ICR), the five-day course that gives newcomers a taste of what life will be like in this Spanish region.
Critical Installation Information
Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Staffordshire Terriers, Huskies and other such breeds are designated “Dangerous Dogs” by Spanish Law. You are strongly encouraged not to bring these breeds to Spain. A recent Spanish Royal Decree requires owners of dangerous dogs to acquire licenses, a process that takes several weeks. For more details, please contact the Staff Judge Advocate at DSN 314-727-2870.
Hiring procedures on Naval Station Rota fall under the guidelines of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Spain and the United States. A strict adherence is maintained to the ratio of seven Spanish employees for every three U.S. employees. In real terms, this means that jobs for spouses are available, but are extremely limited.
All accompanied military personnel are required to accept government family housing if a unit is available based on rank and family size.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Base Operator DSN: 727-3232 011-34-956-82-3232
Appointments (C) 011-34-956-82-3733/4 ; 3(C) 011-4-956-82-3798 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-3735 DSN: 727-3798
Branch Dental Clinic, Rota (C) 011-34-956-82-3798 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-3735
CDC Morale, Welfare and Recreation (C) 34-956-82-1100 Fax: 34-956-82-1106 DSN: 727-1100 DSN Fax: 727-1106 DSN prefix for Rota is 727-xxxx.
David Glasgow Farragut Elementary School (C) 011-34-956-82-4185/(C) 011-34-956-82-4187 Fax: (C)011-34-956-82-3940
David Glasgow Farragut High School (C) 011-34-956-82-4181 or 4183 Fax: 34-956-82-4666
DODDS Public Schools 011-34-956-82-4185/87/ 81 or 83
HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER SERVICES (C) 011-34-956-82-2398 Fax: (C)011-34-956-82-2388 DSN: 727-2398 DSN Fax: 727-2388
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department (C) 011-34-956-82-1100 Fax: 011-34-956-82-1106 DSN: 727-1100 DSN Fax: 727-1106
Naval Hospital, Rota 34-956-82-3308
Navy College Office (Rota Education Center) (C) 011-34-956-82-2711 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-2994 DSN: 727-2711
Navy Housing (C) 011-34-956-82-2398 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-2388
School-Age Care (SAC) 011-34-956-82-2839 Fax: 011-34-956-82-2308
The Edge (Teens) (C) 011-34-956-82-4625 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-2465 DSN: 727-4625
US Naval Hospital Rota (C) 011-34-956-82-3305/3560 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-3306/3349
Youth Programs (JAMS) (C) 011-34-956-82-4252 Fax: (C) 011-34-956-82-2465
Camp Mitchell
Nestled within Naval Station Rota, Spain, Camp Mitchell stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment and operational excellence of the U.S. Navy Seabees. Named in honor of Capt. Thomas J. Mitchell, a distinguished Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officer who was killed in action in 1974, the camp has served as a forward-deployed hub for Naval Construction Forces in the European and African theaters for decades.
Origins and Establishment
The history of Camp Mitchell dates back to the early years of the Cold War, when the United States and its NATO allies sought to strengthen their presence in Europe. With the establishment of Naval Station Rota in 1953, the strategic location of southern Spain provided the U.S. Navy with a critical gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Recognizing the need for a dedicated support facility for the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) operating in the region, the Navy formally designated Camp Mitchell as a home for forward-deployed Seabees.
Dedication to Capt. Thomas J. Mitchell
At a ceremony on July 23, 1982,Chief Civil Engineer of the Navy Rear Adm. William M. Zobel officially named Camp Mitchell in honor of Capt. Thomas J. Mitchell, . Mitchell, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate of 1953, had an illustrious career in naval engineering, earning advanced degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stanford University, and the University of Rhode Island. He was the first CEC officer to graduate from the Advanced Nuclear Power Course at the U.S. Navy Submarine School and later served as Commanding Officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One (NMCB 1) from 1968 to1969.
Mitchell tragically lost his life in an ambush at the Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines on April 13, 1974, while serving as Commander, 30th Naval Construction Regiment. His dedication to duty, engineering excellence, and leadership left a lasting legacy, making him a fitting namesake for the Seabee camp in Rota.
Foundations of “Silver City” – The 1959 Deployment of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Six.
In May 1959, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Six (NMCB 6) deployed to Rota, Spain, embarking on a mission that would lay the foundation for what would later be known as Camp Mitchell. Under the command of Cmdr.L.W. Graves, the battalion, comprising of 13 officers and 379 enlisted men, departed Davisville, Rhode Island, aboard the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) vessel USNS Geiger.
Upon their arrival on May 18, the battalion wasted no time setting up operations. With the decommissioning of the advance party, Detachment Romeo, on May 19, the Seabees swiftly initiated various construction projects. By May 29, work had begun on five key sites, including the Naval Station Rota library, chief petty officer club extension, power plant, hobby shop, and vehicle shed, all of which would become essential to base operations.
One of the most significant milestones came in June 1959, when aluminum paint was applied to every structure in the area, earning the site the fitting nickname “Silver City”. Throughout the summer months, the Seabees pushed forward, focusing on laying concrete slabs, erecting columns, and roofing structures. The completion of the vehicle shed in July marked the first of many finished projects. To commemorate the progress, a pass-in-review was held on July 18, with Capt. French W. Wampler, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Station Rota at the time, presiding over the event.
By August and September, blockwork, roof installations, and vehicle rehabilitation programs were underway. A second pass-in-review on Sept. 25, led by Capt. J.A. Smith, commander of Naval Activities Rota, highlighted the battalion’s dedication. In October and November, efforts shifted to interior plastering, painting, and exterior asphalt laying, culminating in the completion of the Power Plant and Library projects. A third pass-in-review in November honored Capt. Thomas Robinson, commanding officer of U.S. Naval Station Rota.
As the deployment neared its conclusion, the Seabees wrapped up the remaining projects at the hobby shop, Chiefs Mess, and Buildings J and K. By December 1959, NMCB 6 had firmly established the groundwork for what would become a permanent Naval Construction Forces presence in Rota.
A Home for Seabees
Over the decades, Camp Mitchell has served as the primary staging, training, and logistical hub for Seabee units deployed to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The Seabees, renowned for their ability to “Build and Fight,” have used the camp as a launch pad for countless missions supporting both combat and humanitarian operations.
During the Cold War, Seabee units at Camp Mitchell played a vital role in constructing critical infrastructure, airfields, and naval support facilities throughout the region. In times of conflict and crisis, the camp has facilitated rapid deployments of Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) to support military operations, disaster relief efforts, and humanitarian assistance missions worldwide.
Modernization and the Future
As the U.S. Navy pivots toward great power competition and expeditionary advanced basing operations, Camp Mitchell remains a vital component of the Seabee mission. Today, it continues to support forward-deployed NMCBs, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) operations, and joint military exercises with NATO and allied forces.
Recently, NMCB 1 deployed to Camp Mitchell as part of the Naval Construction Force’s global presence, executing critical infrastructure projects across the region. NMCB 1’s operations included building and repairing airfields, ports, and logistics nodes that support Fleet maneuverability and sustainment. Their expertise extends to waterfront infrastructure improvements, expeditionary medical facility construction, and advanced base maintenance, ensuring U.S. and allied forces remain operationally effective. Operating under Commander, Task Force 68 (CTF 68), the Seabees of NMCB 1 played an essential role in theater security cooperation and engineering support, reinforcing the Navy’s strategic commitment to the region.
The Seabees at Camp Mitchell are poised to play a critical role in enhancing U.S. maritime dominance, strengthening alliances, and ensuring infrastructure readiness for future operations.
For nearly seven decades, Camp Mitchell has been an integral part of the U.S. Navy’s global force posture. As the Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary, the legacy of the Seabees at Camp Mitchell stands as a testament to their enduring motto: “We Build, We Fight”. Whether in times of war or peace, Camp Mitchell continues to serve as a forward-deployed stronghold of Seabee excellence, engineering ingenuity, and mission readiness, a proud and indispensable asset to the U.S. Navy and its allies.