The Spanish Expeditionary Strike Group begins its participation in the year’s largest naval deployment

• It comprises five ships, around 2,500 personnel, 75 vehicles, 10 aircraft and 12 amphibious craft

The members of the ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ Expeditionary Strike Group have two months of intense work ahead of them. After taking part in Armed Forces Day celebrations in Vigo, they have set sail to carry out the Armed Forces’ largest naval deployment of 2026.

In command of ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ is Vice-Admiral Juan Bautista Pérez Puig, commander of the High Readiness Maritime Headquarters (CGMAD) and the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR); aboard the Amphibious Ship (BAA) ‘Castilla’.

The following vessels are taking part:

• The Amphibious Ship ‘Castilla’, serving as the command ship.
• The Strategic Projection Vessel ‘Juan Carlos I’, with the commander of the Fleet Projection Group and the second-in-command of the Tercio Armada and Landing Force on board. This Landing Force comprises a Reinforced Marine Landing Battalion.
• The frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’, carrying the commander of the 31st Surface Squadron.
• The frigate ‘Reina Sofía’.
• The Combat Supply Ship (BAC) ‘Patiño’.

As for air assets, the exercise involves AV8B ‘Harrier’ aircraft, SH60 ‘Seahawk’ and H135 ‘Nival’ helicopters from the Navy, and HT-27 ‘Cougar’ and HA-28 ‘Tigre’ helicopters from the Army.

In total, five ships, around 2,500 personnel, 75 Marine Corps vehicles, 12 amphibious craft and 10 aircraft, enabling the Spanish Armed Forces to project an expeditionary force, at sea and from the sea.

FLEETEX-250 and CTF ATLANTIC

Over 60 days of deployment during which, whilst crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the Expeditionary Strike Group will undertake a training and integration phase.

Once off the east coast of the United States, ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ will join in the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Firstly, it will participate in the international exercise FleetEx250, led by the US Navy. Subsequently, as part of the events of the ‘International Naval Review (INR) 250’, it will take part in a major programme of activities centred on the port of New York.

Finally, during the return transit to national territory, the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR) will be activated as Commander Task Force (CTF) ATLANTIC, the NATO formation responsible for monitoring and protecting the area of responsibility in the North Atlantic.

It is worth noting that only six of the 32 NATO countries are capable of providing a maritime headquarters qualified to lead the Alliance’s maritime forces. This activation forms part of the ‘enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) ARCTIC SENTRY’, a surveillance and deterrence operation launched in January 2026 to secure the Alliance’s northern flank.