'Enhanced Presence' concludes: effective coordination of numerous activities and all Operational Commands

• This operational activation, which included 'Eagle Eye 25-1,' aimed to reinforce surveillance, security, and defense of national sovereignty spaces

The 'Enhanced Presence' activation has concluded, successfully integrating the Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber, and Aerospace Operational Commands to enhance the effectiveness of sovereignty space surveillance.

Among the key achievements was the increased presence and deterrence of the Spanish Armed Forces in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea; the implementation of command and control mechanisms; and the synchronization of capabilities and joint activities to maximize operational synergy.

This activation integrated the capabilities of the Air and Space Force, the Army, and the Navy into the national air defense system to maximize the efficiency of participating assets.

'Eagle Eye 25-01' Activation, Led by the Air Operational Command

As part of the 'Enhanced Presence' operation, the 'Eagle Eye 25-01' activation took place in the southeast of the peninsula. Specifically, six Eurofighter C.16 aircraft from Wing 11 (Morón de la Frontera, Sevilla) deployed to San Javier Air Base for a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission.

During the activation, the Eurofighters carried out air-to-air combat maneuvers and interception missions, demonstrating their capability to respond swiftly to potential threats. Escort and protection exercises for strategic assets were also conducted, highlighting the versatility and power of these fighters in simulated combat scenarios.

'Eagle Eye 25-01' was led by the Air Operational Command (MOA in Spanish), under the operational control of the Commander of the Joint Operational Command (MOPS in Spanish). Additionally, the Central Command and Control Group (GRUCEMAC in Spanish), based at Torrejón Air Base, exercised Tactical Command and oversaw tactical control of surveillance operations, air policing, and air defense of national sovereign airspace. When required, control was delegated to control entities integrated into the Air Defense System (ARS/F-100/UDAAA).

GRUCEMAC, through Link communication systems, provided a comprehensive situational awareness of the monitored airspace using all assigned assets, enabling the identification of air tracks and the appropriate tactical response in each situation.

The ARS also controlled the different air forces participating in the activation, managed the surveillance and identification of the airspace and managed the parameters of the radars belonging to the Air Surveillance and Control System, optimising their use.

Army and Navy units also participated in 'Eagle Eye 25-01.' The 'Cancerbero' Anti Air Craft Defense Unit (UDAA in Spanish), deployed in Cartagena and Los Alcázares, ensured the security of national interest airspace through presence, surveillance, and deterrence within sovereign airspace.

Aboard the frigate 'Almirante Juan de Borbón' (F-102), advanced combat systems such as the AEGIS Combat System and SPY-1D radar enabled early detection of aerial tracks and the ability to counter emerging threats. This is crucial for maintaining training and evaluating the integration of air, naval, and ground assets in complex operational scenarios.

The Cyberspace Operational Command (MOC in Spanish), also integrated into the 'Eagle Eye 25-1' activation, ensured the operational freedom of the Armed Forces in cyberspace. Its responsibilities included continuous monitoring to guarantee interconnectivity between combat systems and the efficiency of the Command and Control system. MOC personnel neutralized any cyber threats attempting to compromise these systems and operations.

Navy Participation: Maritime Operational Command

Regarding the Navy’s role in the 'Enhanced Presence' operation, the Expeditionary Battle Group 'Dédalo 25-01' operated in the maritime areas of the Alboran Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Additionally, the Maritime Operational Command deployed the Maritime Action Ship (BAM in Spanish) 'Audaz,' which, among other tasks, monitored Russian naval units as part of its presence, surveillance, and deterrence operations.

Also participating in the operational activation 'Enhanced Presence' were the frigate 'Canarias' and the submarine 'Galerna,' both integrated into Operation 'Sea Guardian,' focused on maritime situational awareness to deter and combat terrorism, as well as mitigate other threats.

Army Participation

As part of 'Enhanced Presence,' units from the Land Operational Command were deployed to territories outside the Iberian Peninsula. Various tactical groups and subgroups carried out presence, surveillance, and deterrence operations in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.

More specifically, the operations carried out by Brigade 'Canarias' XVI were of tactical significance, marked by the activation of the 'Canarias' Tactical Group on the island of Tenerife. This unit executed patrols and reconnaissance missions across key areas, operating in close coordination with simultaneous naval, air, and cyber operations to enhance overall mission effectiveness.