The Spanish-led Special Operations Component Command conducts high-intensity tactical exercise

•  As part of Steadfast Dart 25, the capabilities were demonstrated in an urban environment with various manoeuvres such as airborne infiltration, building perimeter isolation, threat neutralisation and casualty evacuation

Spanish and Bulgarian units of the Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) have conducted a tactical exercise during their deployment in Bulgaria as part of Steadfast Dart 25 (STDT 25).

During the operation, the assault team simultaneously carried out several joint and combined actions of advanced level, demonstrating the cohesion and the interoperability of the techniques and means of both units. In this context, the Spanish command highlighted the importance of this training between allies to achieve operational excellence through constant preparation and demanding and realistic training.

The aim of this tactical exercise was to demonstrate capabilities in an urban environment. Some of the most notable manoeuvres included aerial infiltration, building perimeter isolation, threat neutralisation and tactical casualty evacuation.

During the simulation, the Spanish and Bulgarian Special Forces used various techniques, such as fast rope descents, to infiltrate using NH 90 helicopters from the 48th Wing of the Air and Space Force. Then they proceed to secure the perimeter of the target building to ensure control of the environment before proceeding to the assault phase.

This activity is one of many included in the Special Operations Command's training and integration programme as part of Steadfast Dart 25, which is taking place from 10 to 21 February in different countries along NATO's south-eastern border. During this first large-scale ARF deployment, the primary objective is to train and improve the logistical and operational aspects necessary to maintain the standards achieved during the preparation phase, so that the force's multi-domain capabilities can be projected to a remote area at a very short notice.

Steadfast Dart 2025 Exercise

Steadfast Dart (STDT) 25 is a joint alert and deployment exercise (ALERTEX/DEPLOYEX) planned by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), based and commanded at the strategic level in Mons, Belgium, and conducted at the operational level by Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP), Italy. The primary objective is to test and train the operational deployment and rapid reinforcement of elements of Allied Reaction Force (ARF) 2024 in NATO's peacetime South-eastern Watch Area (SEA) to provide a deterrent effect against any threat to Allied territory. STDT 25 is the culmination of ARF 24's preparation and the most important field demonstration of its full operational capability.

Steadfast Dart 25 will demonstrate that the ARF is a strategic, highly available, multi-domain, multinational capability that can be rapidly deployed and employed to enhance deterrence in peacetime and crisis, as well as to support Alliance defence in conflict. In this context, the aim is to test the interoperability and rapid deployment capability of the four components of ARF-24: land, air, maritime and special operations commands.

Participation of Spain in STDT25

In exercise STDT25, Spain will deploy almost 3,000 soldiers distributed among the four component commands of the Alliance. In addition to this major deployment, the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) will lead, for the first time since its inception, the NATO Special Operations Component for two years (from June 2024 until June 2026), after having undergone an intensive evaluation of their operational capabilities.

In addition to the above-mentioned special operations forces, the following units will participate:

In Land Component Command (LCC), one unit of the enhanced Battlegroup entity (732 military personnel), which will be part of the UK-led ARF LCC Brigade.

Within the Maritime Component Command (MCC), an amphibious group composed of an LHD amphibious ship with its projection assets, a Marine force, and an embarked ROLE 2B. A total of approximately 1,400 Spanish military personnel.

In the Air Component Command, the ESP JFAC will participate as an Air Command and Control (AirC2) element. In addition, an A400 will be deployed for a limited period of time, as well as modules from the Air Deployment Support Squadron (EADA) of the Spanish Air and Space Force and aviation fuel management personnel. In total, some 40 Spanish military personnel