He Air and Space Army (EA) An announced on Monday a historical event: he deployment, for the first time, a detachment of F-18 combat aircraft in Iceland Within the framework of the NATO Air Police Mission aimed at strengthening surveillance in the North Atlantic in front of the Russian aircraft incursions into ally airspace or its proximities.
The Spanish detachment, baptized as ‘Stinga’, which means ‘sting’ in Icelandic, will be composed of Six f-18 fighters y Up to 122 militaryamong which are included pilots, Mechanics, Armament specialists, Logistics staff, security and others essential support services For the development of the mission ,.
The planes are expected to arrive tomorrow, July 22to the Base Aérea De Keflavikin southern Iceland, where, after several days of preparation, They will be integrated on July 28 in the NATO command structure. The operation will last Until mid -August.
At the moment, 44 aviators of the Air and Space Army are already in Icelandunder the command of Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Ichaso Francohead of the contingent and destined in wing 15 based in Zaragoza.
“It’s a Great honor Participating in any NATO mission, but, without a doubt, being the first Spanish unit that operates in Iceland is an extra. I would also like to point out that, although the bulk belongs to wing 15, this operation is a joint effort of the EA, and All detachment members play an essential function for the mission to be a success“Iphaso stressed.
Lieutenant Colonel has also explained that the Previous training It has been key to guaranteeing the proper preparation of the detachment in this new operational scenario: “Although the concept of this mission does not differ much from other air counterp supply the lack of experience in this environment with many hours of training in the simulator“.
Surveillance and interception mission
The mission, framed in the ASIC IPPN program (Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland´s Peacetime Preparedness Needs), is part of the operation Persistent Effort of NATO. These measures, “reinforced and flexible”, were agreed at the 2014 summit in response to the Illegal Annexation of Crimea by Russia“with the aim of demonstrating the determination of NATO countries to defend, collectively, the common and ally space in the face of any threat.”
The main function of the ‘Stinga’ detachment will be “Monitor and intercept aircraft that operate without a flight plan, without radio contact or with the transpondor deactivated”staying in permanent alert state 24/7 through a fast reaction system (Quick Reaction Alert). In addition, scheduled training flights will allow to maintain and improve the operational capabilities of pilots and aircraft.
IcelandNATO member country that does not have its own air force, He welcomes allied contingents at its base in Keflavik, a key installation for intercontinental air traffic in the North Atlantic.
With this deployment, “Spain demonstrates and reinforces its commitment to international collective defense operationsbecause it extends its presence beyond the eastern flank of NATO – where it has already operated in the Baltic, Bulgaria and Romania – while projects its operational capacity in a new advanced air surveillance scenario“.
