The Tactical Air Detachment Vilkas has completed its first medium-duration inspection while deployed overseas

• This milestone marks a significant achievement in the history of aircraft maintenance conducted beyond national territory

Personnel from the Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) “Vilkas” have successfully completed the first scheduled medium-duration inspection carried out overseas on one of their F-18M fighter aircraft. This represents a landmark achievement in the history of Spanish Air and Space Force aircraft maintenance operations abroad.

The unit opted to deploy an eleventh aircraft in order to conduct this type of inspection, with the aim of combining operational availability with enhanced productivity and efficiency of the deployed military technical personnel.

Scheduled maintenance inspections for the F-18M are conducted every 100 flight hours and alternate between short-duration (H1), medium-duration (H2) and long-duration (H3) inspections, in accordance with the established maintenance programme. Each inspection entails an increased level of technical complexity.

During the nearly two months since Wing 15 began its deployment in TAD “Vilkas” in Lithuania, four H1 inspections and one H2 inspection have been completed, the latter stands out due to its high technical complexity. These activities have generated a potential of 500 F-18M flight hours, minimizing the impact that overseas deployments may have on the fleet.

These aviation milestones demonstrate the outstanding performance, discipline and high level of commitment shown by Spanish service members. Their work is essential to ensure the operational sustainability of the weapons system. Through their dedication and professional rigour, Spain contributes directly to the protection and security of the Alliance’s eastern flank.

DAT ‘Vilkas’: aportación de España a la protección aérea del flanco este de la OTAN

TAD “Vilkas”, which means “wolf” in Lithuanian, is a Tactical Air Detachment of the Spanish Air and Space Force contributing to air surveillance and airspace protection tasks on NATO’s eastern flank.

Since early December 2025, Spain has assumed leadership of the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission as a key component of NATO’s Operation Persistent Effort. In parallel, TAD “Vilkas” continues to participate within the framework of the enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) Eastern Sentry, aimed at reinforcing defensive measures within its area of responsibility, to prevent any unidentified incursions into Allied airspace, and thus contributing to the collective security of the Alliance and, by extension, to Spain’s own security.

The detachment consists of 200 military personnel from various units and specialities, including air operations, logistics and security. It operates a total of twelve aircraft: eleven EF-18M Hornet fighter jets belonging to Wing 15 (Zaragoza) and one TK23 A400M transport aircraft belonging to Wing 31 (Zaragoza). Together, they represent the largest air deployment on the eastern flank to date, and demonstrate the effectiveness of NATO air policing missions.