Twelve years since the first flight of the d4 aircraft following its permanent assignment to operation ‘Atalanta’.

 The maritime patrol aircraft has proven to be a key asset in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations in the Horn of Africa area of operations.

Twelve years have passed since the CN-235 D.4 ‘VIGMA’ maritime patrol aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Force carried out its first operational flight, having been permanently assigned to Operation Atalanta, following the handover from the veteran P.3M ‘Orion’.

That inaugural flight, conducted on 24 July 2013 from Djibouti, marked a milestone in Spain’s contribution to the European Union’s mission. Since its deployment, and thanks to its advanced capabilities, the D.4 ‘VIGMA’ has proven to be a key asset in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations in the Horn of Africa area of operations.

The aircraft's first operational sortie was conducted without incident. From the outset, it demonstrated excellent coordination between the aircrew and the Mission Support Centre, which is deployed as part of Tactical Air Detachment (DAT, in Spanish) ‘Orión’. This transition between aircraft types enabled the uninterrupted continuity of Spain’s operational contribution to Operation ‘Atalanta’, making Spain the only EU Member State to have maintained a continuous presence in the mission since its launch in 2008.

Over the course of these twelve years, the D.4 has logged more than 4,000 flight hours. During this time, Tactical Air Detachment ‘Orion’, manned by personnel of the Spanish Air and Space Force,has completed 600 maritime patrol missions over strategic areas such as the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The combined operational use of the D.4 ‘VIGMA’ and the P.3M ‘Orión’ has significantly enhanced aerial coverage and strengthened the international response to piracy, the protection of United Nations vessels, illicit trafficking, and other maritime security threats in this critical region.

On the occasion of this anniversary, the outstanding efforts of the personnel assigned to TAD ‘Orion’ are duly recognised. Their professionalism, dedication, and adaptability have been fundamental to the  success of Operation Atalanta. 

Since the beginning of the mission in 2008, over 2,000 missions have been conducted and more than 15,000 flight hours accumulated, constituting a decisive contribution towards achieving the mission’s objectives.