The Eighth contingent of the DAT 'Tigru' Contingent Returns Home After Four Months Deployed in Romania

• Schitu Air Base Hosts Change of Command Ceremony for Spanish Air Detachment ‘Tigru’ Romania acknowledges Spain’s Contribution to NATO Air Policing.

A handover ceremony has taken place for the Command and Force of the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) ‘Tigru’, a mission involving radar surveillance of Allied airspace, within the framework of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) and forms part of the Alliance’s Standing Defence Plan under the Persistent Effort posture. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Jiménez Herranz — outgoing Force Commander of the eighth Spanish contingent deployed in this mission —  transferred command of the detachment to Major Juan Pablo Segovia Vargas, who now begins a four-month deployment on Romanian soil.

The ceremony was presided over by Colonel Antonio Miguel Romón Almansa, representing the Commander of the Operations Command (MOPS). Also in attendance were Colonel Jose Carlos Rodríguez Úbeda — representing the Spanish Air and Space Force — and Colonel Florin Pângăleanu, Commander of the Romanian Air Force’s 76th ISR Brigade.

In his address, Colonel Romón expressed gratitude to Romania and its Air Force for their hospitality and the comprehensive support provided to the Spanish contingent at Schitu Barracks. He went on to commend the outgoing personnel for their outstanding performance during the mission, stating: “You have fulfilled your duty through tireless work. You return home with the satisfaction of a mission accomplished, knowing that you have contributed to the security of the region in the only way we, as military personnel, know how — with hard work, dedication, and dignity in the flag we display on our uniform.”

He then addressed Major Segovia Vargas, wishing him every success as leader of the ninth Spanish contingent of DAT ‘Tigru’, and reminded him:  “You must maintain cohesion within the detachment through open, trustworthy relations, applying the principle of unity of effort.”

To conclude the ceremony, the Romanian Air Force awarded decorations to five members of the outgoing contingent in recognition of their exemplary service and commitment during the air surveillance mission;  a distinction that symbolically extends to the entire Spanish deployment. Over the course of four months, the detachment has ensured the operational readiness of the AN/TPS-43 radar, which has now exceeded 21,000 operational hours.

More than 32 months have passed since the initial deployment of DAT ‘Tigru’ to Romania. Since then, the unwavering commitment of its personnel, combined with the sustained operational performance of the AN/TPS-43M radar, stands as a clear demonstration of Spain’s ability to lead and conduct air surveillance operations within NATO airspace. This ongoing contribution has been critical to ensuring the operational availability of weapon systems and the seamless integration of radar data into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System via the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) at Moara Vlăsiei, Romania.

NATO IAMD Operation – Operation ‘Persistent Effort’

The AN/TPS-43M radar, deployed in Romania, forms part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) operation, conducted under the Standing Defence Plan known as Operation Persistent Effort.

This plan also includes the NASAMS-based Air Defence Unit (UDAA,in Spanish) in Latvia, the Patriot UDAA deployed in Türkiye, and the air detachments conducting Air Policing missions. 

Spain’s involvement in the protection of the Alliance’s eastern flank is a clear demonstration of its commitment to NATO’s objectives of presence, air surveillance, and deterrence. It also stands as a tangible example of our contribution to the security and defence of NATO’s entire territory.