Spanish Marines land on the east coast of the United States

•  The ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ Expeditionary Strike Group is taking part in a training exercise with the US and French navies

After a two-week crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, the ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ Expeditionary Strike Group has arrived on the east coast of the United States. Ahead of its participation in the multinational exercise FLEETEX250, the Reinforced Landing Group (ARD) of the Tercio de Armada has landed at the US base at Camp Lejeune to undertake 10 days of demanding training with the US Marines and the French Marine Corps.

In total, some 700 marines from the ARD — with 75 vehicles —, a Tactical Subgroup from the Spanish Army and an Italian section from the ‘San Marco’ Brigade will undertake comprehensive and demanding training in which, alongside other forces, they will carry out a series of exercises focused on integrating tactics, techniques and procedures relating to infantry, reconnaissance, artillery, engineering, weapons and aircraft.

The deployment of the Spanish expeditionary force began on Friday 12 June with the arrival of a reconnaissance team on the beach. After assessing the conditions for the landing, the operation began the following day, with personnel transported by helicopter and by sea using the mechanised landing craft (LCM – Landing Craft Mechanised) of the Beach Naval Group, which ferried personnel and equipment from the Strategic Projection Vessel ‘Juan Carlos I’.

Once the Landing Force has re-embarked onto the Amphibious Ship ‘Castilla’ and the ‘Juan Carlos I’, the multinational exercise FLEETEX250 will commence. This exercise is taking place as part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and its Navy.

‘Atlantic Deployment’ Expeditionary Strike Group

The ‘Atlantic Deployment’ Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) comprises the Amphibious Ship ‘Castilla’, acting as the command ship, on board which is the Vice-Admiral Commander of the High Readiness Maritime Headquarters (CGMAD) and of the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR).

Alongside the ‘Castilla’ is the Strategic Projection Vessel ‘Juan Carlos I’, with the Commander of the Fleet Projection Group and the Deputy Commander of the Tercio Armada; the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’, with the Commander of the 31st Surface Squadron; the frigate ‘Reina Sofía’; and the Combat Supply Ship ‘Patiño’. Through the force projection of ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’, Spain demonstrates its commitment to the Atlantic Alliance, contributing to NATO’s deterrence and defence and enhancing security in the international strategic environment. It is capable of projecting an expeditionary force at sea and from the sea.