2024: The year of restructuring and change for the Spanish Air Force in Senegal

• After more than 11 years of continuous operation, the ‘Marfil’ Tactical Air Detachment strengthens the contribution of the Spanish Armed Forces abroad and consolidates the State's action in its commitment to international peace and security

The year 2024 was a year of change for the Tactical Air Detachment "Marfil". After starting its first semester with around 70 members and one or two aircraft permanently deployed, the second semester saw it restructured to adapt to the new strategic scenario.

Following the closure of EUTM Mali in May this year, air projection has been significantly reduced, requiring an adaptation of the air mission based in Dakar (Senegal). For this reason, and with the aim of optimizing the resources of the Air and Space Force on the national territory, the EADS CASA C-295 aircraft will now be temporarily and intermittently deployed at the Tactical Air Detachment 'Marfil' facilities.

Currently, the 47th contingent of the Tactical Air Detachment 'Marfil' is led by Commander Juan Pablo Aliseda Cuevas and operates from the 'Escale Aéronautique Commandant Lemaitre' at the French Elements in Senegal facility at the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar. Under the operational control of the Operations Command, this detachment is assigned various tactical airlift and intra-theatre logistics missions, as well as air-to-air refueling missions. All these tasks are carried out in the framework of defense diplomacy in support of Spain's bilateral missions with various African countries and other operations of national interest, as well as in support of the Guardia Civil operations in Senegal. It also continues to support France in its operations in the Western Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.

Tactical Air Detachment Marfil

The ‘Marfil’ Tactical Air Detachment was established as a result of the support offered by the Spanish Government to our French allies in their fight against terrorism in the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea areas with the aim of facilitating the temporary overflight and landing of air assets from European Union member states.

Spain began to collaborate when France intervened in Mali (Serval operation in 2013), initially with a C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft (Spanish military designation T.10) and around 50 military personnel deployed at the Senghor air base in Dakar (Senegal). At that time, the Tactical Air Detachment ‘Marfil’ supported the deployment of French troops and materiel in the theatre of operations. It also provided assistance to countries of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).

Subsequently, the C-130 Hercules aircraft were replaced by EADS CASA C-295 (Spanish military designation T.21) from the wing 35 of Getafe Air base. Its role was to support the Spanish contingent of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-Mali), which is responsible for training the Malian armed forces as part of the European Union mission, as well as the mission to train the armed forces of the Central African Republic (EUTM-RCA).

In addition, the DAT ‘’Marfil‘’ provides support to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), formerly AFISMA, to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and to the G5 Sahel Joint Force.

The DAT ‘Marfil’ is a clear example of the capabilities, availability and operability provided by the Air and Space Force outside our borders. Today, it is also a clear example of the support and cooperation with an allied and friendly country such as Senegal.