Relief of personnel deployed in 'Tigru' Detachment

•  The Spanish contingent is deployed in NATO's 'Enhanced Air Policing' operation to reinforce Allied Presence on the eastern flank of Europe

The ‘Tigru’ Tactical Air Detachment (DAT), deployed as part of the Enhanced Air Policing Radar (eAP-RDR) operation in Romania, has conducted the relief ceremony between the seventh and eighth contingents.

The ceremony was presided over by Colonel Juan Gonzalo Fernández González, representing the Operations Command. Colonel Jose Carlos Oliva del Pozo attended as the representative of the Spanish Air and Space Force, while Colonel Boraciu Relu, Commander of the 76th ISR Brigade of the Romanian Air Force, was present on behalf of Romania.

The outgoing Force Commander, Commander Jose Manuel Molina Nogales, handed over the command of the DAT Tigru to Lieutenant Colonel Mario Jiménez Herranz, thus completing the mission of the seventh contingent. Thanks to the efforts of the outgoing team, after four months of deployment, the operational readiness of the AN/TPS-43M radar remains high, with over 18,000 operational hours surpassed.

During the ceremony, Colonel Juan Gonzalo praised the outgoing Spanish contingent for their exceptional work in the mission, emphasizing their crucial role in ‘ensuring the surveillance of NATO airspace’. He also wished the incoming contingent success in their upcoming mission.

The ceremony concluded with the awarding of decorations from the Romanian Air Force to five members of the outgoing contingent, in recognition of their commitment and exemplary service in support of peace and security in allied territory.

The DAT Tigru began its deployment over 28 months ago with the primary objectives of ensuring presence, surveillance, and deterrence in allied airspace. The continuous efforts of the contingent have been crucial in maintaining the operational readiness of weapon systems and in integrating radar data into NATO's Air Defense System through the 'Control and Reporting Center' (CRC) in Balotesti, Bucharest.      

Since the start of the Enhance Air Policing Radar (eAP-RDR) operation,  Spain has demonstrated its commitment through the dedicated efforts of the 39 aviators who make up this detachment.