'ISPUHEL XIX' contingent reaches 9000 flying hours in Operation A/I

•  The deployment of the helicopter unit in this operation began on 18 June 2018

The Spanish contingent 'ISPUHEL XIX' (known as Task Force Toro) has reached 9000 flight hours in Operation A/I. ‘TF Toro’ is part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) which supports the International Coalition in the country.

The primary objective of this operation is to ensure the ultimate defeat of DAESH.  The Spanish contingent is responsible for the airlift of Coalition and, where appropriate, NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) personnel and materiel, as well as other national requirements within the area of operations.

The deployment of the helicopter unit as part of Operation A/I first took place on 18 June 2018 at the Camp Taji base (Baghdad, Iraq). The unit initially consisted of three AS-532 "Cougar" helicopters and three CH-47 "Chinook" helicopters.

On August 1, 2020, the 'TF Toro' ceased operating from Camp Taji Base and moved to Al Asad Air Base, where it is currently located. From the end of that year, the 'Chinook' helicopters were redeployed to national territory, leaving the 'TF Toro' with only three 'Cougar' helicopters to carry out its missions. Since June 2023, when Lieutenant General Agüero took over as Commander of NATO MISSION IRAQ, the unit has had four Cougar helicopters.

There are currently 55 Spanish military personnel stationed at Al Asad Air Base (Iraq) under the command of Commander Roldan. All of them have made it possible to reach this important milestone in the history of the ISPUHEL, which has flown more than 9000 hours in the Iraqi skies. The solidity of the operational and maintenance procedures, the ability to fly with night vision goggles and the interoperability with units from other countries are the pillars on which the success in fulfilling the missions entrusted is based.