Change of command of the 'Tigru' Air Tactical Detachment for the protection of NATO's eastern flank

• As part of the ‘enhanced Air Policing’ operation, a new contingent begins its mission to reinforce the surveillance and security of allied airspace

Handover ceremony at Schitu Air Base in Romania between the ninth and tenth contingents of the ‘Tigru’ Air Tactical Detachment (DAT), deployed in NATO's Enhanced Air Policing-Radar (eAP-RDR) operation.

This military ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Chief for Support of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Miguel Ángel Sáez Nievas, and represents the renewal of Spain's commitment to the air defense of the Alliance's eastern flank. Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Conde Granado also attended as representative of the Air and Space Force, and Romania was represented by Brigadier General Robert-Cristian Manea, Deputy Commander of the Romanian Joint Forces Command.

As part of the handover, the outgoing force commander, Major Juan Pedro Segovia Vargas, handed over command of DAT ‘Tigru’ to Major Yedri Rodriguez Esquivel. This marked the end of the ninth contingent's mission in Romania, where they had been deployed for four months and, thanks to their ongoing efforts, had maintained the high operational level of the AN/TPS-43M radar, which has now exceeded 23,000 hours of operation.

During his speech, General Sáez Nievas congratulated the outgoing Spanish contingent for their exceptional work on this mission, “which is key to ensuring the surveillance of the alliance's airspace,” while also conveying his best wishes to the new contingent beginning their mission.

Finally, the ceremony finished with the presentation of Romanian Air Force decorations to five members of the outgoing contingent, in recognition of their commitment and exemplary service.

DAT ‘Tigru’, Spain's firm commitment

After more than 36 months of deployment, the Spanish detachment remains firmly committed to its objectives of presence, aerial surveillance, and deterrence. The contingent's ongoing effort have been key to ensuring the operational readiness of weapons systems and the integration of radar data into NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS) through the Control and Reporting Center (CRC) in Moara Vlasiei, Romania.

Currently, DAT ‘Tigru’ is made up of a team of 39 aviators, all of whom are fundamental pillars in ensuring the mission's fulfilment. In this deployment, the AN/TPS-43M radar is a key component in NATO's integrated air and missile defense, which is part of the Alliance's ‘Standing Defense Plan, Persistent Effort’.

This comprehensive plan to protect NATO's eastern flank airspace also includes other Spanish deployments in the region, such as the NASAMS Air Defense Unit (UDAA) in Latvia; the Patriot battery in Turkey; and air detachments carrying out air policing missions in this region, such as the current DAT ‘Vilkas’ located in Lithuania.