Tactical Air Detachment ‘Orion’ reaches 15,000 flight hours in Operation ‘Atalanta’.

• The detachment has been providing surveillance and deterrence against piracy and illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean since 2008.

The Tactical Air Detachment (DAT in Spanish) ‘Orion’ has reached 15,000 flight hours, after the landing of the maritime patrol and reconnaissance D4 Maritime Surveillance aircraft (CN 235-VIGMA) in Djibouti on 24 October. Spain has been the only European Union country to participate uninterruptedly in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago.

This milestone has been achieved thanks to the efforts of four Air and Space Army units. On the one hand, the 22nd Group of the 11th Wing - located at the Morón air base and now disbanded - achieved more than 11,100 flight hours with the P3 Orion aircraft in the framework of Operation ‘Atalanta’. On the other hand, the three Search and Rescue Service (SAR in Spanish) units that operate the CN 235-VIGMA aircraft, the 46th Wing -located at the Gando air base-, the 48th Wing -located at the Getafe air base- and the 49th Wing -located at the Son San Juan air base-.

The 15,000 flight hours coincide with the arrival in the operational area of the 92nd crew, made up of aviators from the 48th Wing, who are relieving the 91st crew, belonging to the 49th Air and Space Wing.

The participation of Spanish maritime patrol and surveillance aircrafts is a key element in the security of the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coasts. The capability provided by the air assets contributes directly to the security of maritime traffic and stability in the area.

Operation ‘Atalanta’

Operation ‘Atalanta’ was the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted after the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005 onwards; and, with Spain's strong support, it became the first EU naval operation to be carried out within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

At the end of 2022, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until December 2024, reflecting the achievements made and the challenges for the future. During this time, the area of operations has been expanded under successive mandates and currently covers the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali basin, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Since 29 March 2019, after relieving the United Kingdom, Spain has been leading the operation from Operational Headquarters (OHQ), located at the Rota Naval Base (Cádiz). Since 23 November 2023, following his appointment by the EU Council, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano has been the commander of Operation ‘Atalanta’.

Currently, under the operational control of the Operations Command, Spain contributes to Operation Atalanta with approximately 350 military personnel, as well as with the following assets and units:

- The Operation Headquarters, OHQ, at the Rota naval base.

- One frigate/warship

- One embarked helicopter

- An embarked special operations team

- One maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT ‘Orion’) in Djibouti.

- Liaison offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).

- Operation Logistics Support Unit deployed in Djibouti (Djibouti).

As a demonstration of our commitment to the security of the region, Spain has been the only European Union country to have participated continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago. In this context, the ‘Orion’ Detachment contributes to the objective of this European military operation: to provide surveillance and deterrence against piracy and illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean, as well as to collaborate in the protection of World Food Programme vessels.