Operational Aerospace Command (MOA) kicks off 'EAGLE EYE 22-03'

• The MOA, with elements and capabilities assigned by the Air Force, the Army and the Navy, will develop the activation in Motril

'Eagle Eye 22-03' has been activated from today until next Friday 11th.  The objective of this deployment is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the joint integration of the means assigned to the defense of the national airspace on a permanent basis.  2,100 participants and different means assigned to the Operational Aerospace Command (MOA), under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS), will be deployed for this activation.

The citizens of the southern area of the peninsula will have the chance to see F-18 combat aircraft belonging to the 12th Wing flying through their skies, and to see the F-103 frigate 'Blas de Lezo' sailing their waters.

The Air Force will contribute with 1,560 men and women. The means deployed in the activation will be the F-18 combat aircraft of the 12th Wing, which will carry out the aerospace defense from the air.

The Northern Command and Control Group (GRUNOMAC), located at the Zaragoza Air Base, will be in charge of airspace surveillance, as well as of performing the control functions of the Aerospace Defense System. To perform this task, the GRUNOMAC will use the data provided by the different Surveillance Squadrons, as well as those distributed by ground and naval means. In addition, the Air Operations Center (AOC), also participating in this activation, constitutes the command post for the surveillance and control mission of the national airspace and, when appropriate, air policing, air defense and ballistic missile defense.

The Navy will participate with the frigate 'Blas de Lezo' (F-103), with a crew of 170 men and women.  It is a multipurpose ship, with a length of 147 meters, 19 meters beam and a full load displacement of 6000 tons. Thanks to its AEGIS Combat System, the frigate provides great air defense capability, complementing the coverage of the Air Surveillance Squadrons and the deployed Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit.

The Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit (UDAA) of the Spanish Army will be integrated by different units of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command (MAAA) and will be responsible for complementing the capabilities of the MOA through its integration into the national Aerospace Defense System (SDA). The Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit (UDAA) 'Alhambra' will carry out this mission thanks to the deployment of about 300 Army soldiers in various parts of the province of Granada.

The UDAA 'Alhambra' will be constituted of the Anti-aircraft Artillery Group I/71 as Base Unit and three other Units of the Anti-aircraft Artillery Command. These three Units will integrate the Command and Control, Logistic Support and Fire nucleus. The first two will be constituted by the base unit (GAAA I/71) based in the city of Madrid. The Fire Nucleus will have three missile firing units (UT), HAWK from GAAA II/74 (Seville), NASAMS from GAAA II/73 (Cartagena) and GAAA I/94 (Las Palmas), and MISTRAL from GAAA II/71 (Madrid); completing the capabilities of the NUFU, a missile firing unit composed of Oerlikon 35/90 SKYGUARD cannons from GAAA I/73 (Cartagena). In addition, and framed in the Command and Control Nucleus, the UDAA will have the essential support of the MAAA Transmissions Unit (UTMAAA), which will provide the human and material means that guarantee the integration in the national Air Defense System (SDA), as well as having all the links (voice and data) that allow the Chief of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Unit to exercise the appropriate Command and Control of the unit.

‘Eagle Eye 22-03’ Activation

The 'Eagle Eye 22-03' activation, with 2,100 participants, takes place within the framework of the permanent operations of the Armed Forces, which are carried out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year..

The Aerospace Operational Command (MOA) is the body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces responsible, at its level, for planning, conducting and monitoring the aforementioned operations in the aerospace field. It is directly subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (JEMAD) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS).