Eurofighters C16 from the ‘Paznic’ detachment work with US and French air attack controllers

•   These training missions involve guiding aircraft so that they can provide support without endangering their own troops

The six Eurofighter C16 aircraft of the Tactical Air Detachment ‘Paznic’, deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, as part of NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Eastern Flank (NATO IAMD-Persistent Effort), have conducted a series of Close Air Support (CAS) training missions with US and French military personnel.

CAS is a special type of mission in which Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) guide aircraft so that they can provide support without endangering their own troops.

These operations require highly complex coordination, especially when dealing with targets of opportunity, and also in adverse weather scenarios where the probability of collateral damage increases. For this reason, the training is conducted in both day and night environments, as well as in adverse weather conditions that border on the operational limits of air support.

The Tactical Air Detachment ‘Paznic’ continues to carry out collaborative missions with other Armed Forces deployed in the area to train and improve NATO procedures associated with this type of operation. In this way, the detachment's soldiers demonstrate their professionalism and interoperability with other nations, while underlining Spain's commitment to allied countries and the security of their territories.

NATO IAMD-Persistent Effort Operation

The Spanish contingent deployed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base (Romania) is part of the NATO IAMD operation ‘Persistent Effort’, which also includes the UDAA NASAMS in Latvia, the Patriot battery in Turkey and the ‘Tigru’ detachment - with the radar of the Mobile Air Control Group (GRUMOCA) - also deployed in Romania, on the shores of the Black Sea.

NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (NATO IAMD) is an essential and continuous mission in times of peace, crisis and conflict, safeguarding and protecting Alliance territory, populations and forces against air and missile threats and attacks. In this way, IAMD contributes to Alliance deterrence, joint security and freedom of action. To this end, IAMD incorporates all measures to deter and defend against air and missile threats or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action. NATO IAMD is implemented through the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS), a network of interconnected NATO and national systems comprising sensors, command and control centres along with weapons systems.

With this important IAMD deployment, Spain contributes to the protection of the eastern flank of allied territory. This demonstrates solidarity with our allies, with whom we share the values that underpin and protect democracy, freedom and global security.