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