Naval Station Rota  In-depth Overview

The Commander, Naval Activities (COMNAVACT) Spain is headquartered in Rota and serves as the area coordinator for all U.S. Naval Activities ashore in Spain and Portugal. COMNAVACT Spain also serves as the commanding officer of Naval Station Rota. The commander reports directly to Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, located in Naples, Italy.

The U.S. Navy is responsible for maintaining the station's infrastructure, including a 670-acre airfield, three active piers, 400 facilities and approximately 375 family housing units.

Naval Station Rota provides support for U.S. and NATO ships, supports the safe and efficient movement of U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force flights and passengers, and provides cargo, fuel and ammunition to units in the region.

NAVSTA Rota is the only base in the European theater capable of supporting Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) post-deployment wash-downs. The base port also offers secure, pier-side maintenance and backload facilities. Naval Station Rota also supports ARG turnovers and hosts Sailors and Marines from visiting afloat units.

Rota was established in 1953, following the signing of an agreement for facilities use between the United States and Kingdom of Spain. The agreement required two years of surveys, negotiations and planning which led to ground breaking on the base in 1955.

Rota Naval Base was constructed under the technical supervision of the Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks. Some 10,000 concrete tetrapods, resembling large jacks, were carefully placed to provide a seawall to protect a large artificial harbor.

Known as the "Gateway to the Mediterranean," Naval Station Rota is strategically located near the Strait of Gibraltar and is halfway between the United States and Southwest Asia. The 6,100-acre Spanish-owned installation provides vital support to units transiting in or through the theater.

NAVSTA Rota, known as Basé Naval de Rota in Spanish, is owned by the Spanish and commanded by a Spanish admiral. U.S. personnel are guests and should behave as such. That said, the U.S. and Spanish navies work well together and share many facilities under the guidance of the Agreement on Defense Cooperation (ADC). For additional information visit NAVSTA Rota's homepage.

Naval Station Rota and its more than 35 tenant commands comprise approximately 6,000 Americans within a 25-mile area. Of those, nearly 2,800 are active duty representing all services; 2,500 are family members and 500 are U.S. civilian employees. Additionally, there are approximately 650 retired military personnel and family members residing in the area.

Rota is a smaller town in Spain that has a population of approximately 30,000 people. In the summertime many tourists come to Rota and the population reaches up to nearly 100,000.

Rota is a smaller town in Spain that has a population of approximately 30,000 people. In the summertime many tourists come to Rota and the population reaches up to nearly 100,000.

Naval Station Rota and its more than 35 tenant commands comprise approximately 6,000 Americans within a 25-mile area. Of those, nearly 2,800 are active duty representing all services; 2,500 are family members and 500 are U.S. civilian employees. Additionally, there are approximately 650 retired military personnel and family members residing in the area.

Rota, a town of 30,000 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.

Naval Station Rota, Spain is located 6 hours (1 hour by air) south of Madrid, and 1.5 hours 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 NAVSTA Rota. Andalucia attracts vacationers from around the world who come not only for the beaches and mild weather, but for flamenco dancing, bullfights, and festivals. Today the economy of Spain is the sixth largest in Europe. Spain's currency, like most of Europe, is the Euro. Unemployment in Spain is typically near the top of EU member nations and is higher than the U.S.

Expect mild, breezy weather similar to southern California, with temperatures ranging from 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 40 to 70 degrees in the winter. Vegetation is colorful, plentiful and year-round.

There is no official base operator in Rota. For questions about moving to Rota visit the Welcome Aboard Package, visit Rota's official website, Facebook page at or call the Fleet and Family Support Center, 011-34-956-82-3232 or DSN 314-727-3232.

Spain lies in the southwestern part of Europe and falls in the Central European Time Zone. It occupies part of the Iberian Peninsula bounded by the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Naval Station Rota is located in Spain’s southernmost region, Andalucia. This autonomous region is bordered by Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha to the north and Murcia to the northwest. Andalucia’s long coastline faces the Atlantic to the west and the Mediterranean to the south and east.

You are likely to arrive by airplane at one of two main airports, Naval Station Rota, Air Terminal or the nearby commercial airport at Jerez de la Fontera (approximately 25 minutes form Rota). The AMC-CAT B flight, also known as the “Patriot Express”, leaves from Norfolk, VA. Civilian attire has been authorized for traveling, so wear comfortable clothes and again, bring something warm to wear. Force Protection rules also forbid military personnel from traveling in uniform on commercial flights, or from wearing apparel, such as a ball cap or sweatshirt that would identify you as a military member.

If you arrive at the Naval Station, Rota Air Terminal, your sponsor should meet you there after you in-process with getting your orders stamped. If no one is there to meet you, call the Naval Station CDO at 011-34-187-270-203. If you arrive at an off-base location and your sponsor is not there, contact the naval station CDO for assistance.

Coming to Naval Station Rota on a commercial flight means you will probably be entering Spain via Madrid’s Barajas International Airport, with a follow-on flight to Jerez de la Frontera. When your international flight lands in Madrid you will probably enter T4 (the newest terminal) or T1. Depending on the airlines you traveled to Spain aboard and the Airlines (either Iberia or Spainair) that your connecting flight to Jerez de la Frontera is with, you may have to claim you baggage and completely recheck-in with the airlines. Even if your luggage is checked all the way to Jerez, you may still have to check-in at the front counter for a boarding pass (and then return through security). This also applies to animals, which will probably not be checked all the way through to your final destination. Transit times from T4 to the other terminals may take as long as 30 minutes, not including obtaining pets and baggage. If at any time you require assistance look for personnel wearing yellow shirts with a small eye logo. They, as well as most airline counter personnel, speak English and are very helpful.

Currency in Spain is the Euro. U.S. dollars are not normally accepted for business.  There are several currency exchange booths in the Madrid Airport, and ATMs through out.  MasterCard and Visa are the most popular credit cards accepted. 

Once you arrive at the Jerez de la Frontera Airport your assigned sponsor should meet you, however if you TDY below are driving directions and taxis prices:

Taxi Service

Civilian taxi service to Naval Station Rota is available 24 hours a day.  Prices range from approximately 55 Euros (from  0600 – 2159) and 65.00 Euros (from 2200 – 0559).

Driving Directions from Jerez Airport to Naval Station Rota

Exit the airport and follow the road over the second overpass. Staying to the left and continue around one traffic circle and then straight ahead on the ramp to A4, Do not take the AP4 exit. After take exit 641AB to A480 Sanlucar de Barrameda/Rota/Chipiona. After a short distance on A480, take exit 22 to A2078 Rota. After traveling over rolling hills and past several vineyards, you will see a red brick prison and guard housing on your left and a newly constructed penitentiary on your right. When you come to a very large round-a-bout take the exit to A491 to Rota/Chipiona. Then take the "Rota Sur" exit onto A2075 towards Rota. After a while you will come to a traffic circle, follow halfway around the go straight. When you get to the second traffic circle, follow around and to the left. You will see the gates to Naval Station Rota. Stop at the small parking lot on the right before you get to the gate and enter the security building to the right for your base pass. You will need a copy of your orders, ID, and rental car contract.

Driving Directions to the Jerez Airport from Naval Station Rota

As soon as you exit the Rota gate, make a right at the traffic circle onto Perimeter Road, directions Jerez. As you approach the next traffic circle, go halfway around and then straight. After a short distance you will come to a fork in the road, take A491 to your right towards El Puerto De Santa Maria. After a short distance, enter a large round about and get onto A2078 toward Jerez de la Frontera stay on A2078 past the newly constructed penitentiary and the red brick prison and guard housing on your right until you see the exit for A480. Take the A480 exit towards Jerez de la Frontera after a short distance; enter the exit lane for A4 Cadiz-Aeropuerto/Sevilla. Once you leave the main road and get in the exit lane, DO NOT take the first exit, take the second exit after going under the bridge.  Stay on A4, direction Aeropuerto/El Cuervo/Sevilla until you reach exit 62B (National road N346) to the airport.

NAVSTA Rota has a no-fee shuttle bus services provide by Public Works Department. The bus does a run throughout the installation with various stops, including Pier 1. All U.S. I.D. cardholders (military, dependent and contract personnel) may ride the bus. Check the on-base schedule to find out what time the bus begins and ends for the day.

There is no offical base operator in Rota. The command Quarterdeck is 011-34-956-82-1552, or DSN 314-727-1552.  For questions about moving to Rota, please contact the Fleet and Family Support Center at 011-34-956-82-3232, or DSN 314-727-3232.