Spanish Navy leads multinational force of 3,000 personnel off US East Coast

•  The ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ Expeditionary Strike Group DEMONSTRATES its strategic projection capability during the high-intensity FLEETEX-250 exercise, organised by the US Navy

The Spanish Armed Forces, through the ‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ Expeditionary Strike Group, have successfully completed their participation in the multinational exercise FLEETEX-250 off the east coast of the United States. This major military manoeuvre has brought together naval forces from 17 countries.

The US Navy’s Second Fleet led the exercise and organised the deployment into seven naval combat groups. Spain achieved a significant international milestone. It became the only allied nation to assume direct command of one of these groups. The commander of the High Readiness Maritime Headquarters (CGMAD) and the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR) led this effort. The US led five of the remaining six groups. NATO led the sixth. The Spanish-led force included more than 3,000 personnel from 14 nations.

Over two weeks, Spanish units embarked on five ships and a landing force trained with allies. They strengthened interoperability, validated tactics, and improved joint operations in a demanding multi-domain environment.

FLEETEX-250 ran in three phases. Phase one began 16 June with training and institutional activities. Phase two included four days of at-sea training to integrate combat forces. Phase three culminated in three days of high-intensity, multi-domain simulation that ended 28 June.

The Spanish amphibious naval force demonstrated its capabilities during the FLEETEX-250 training activities, held as part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

These included the landing and re-embarkation of the Marine Corps force, land-based exercises, combat drills during the simulated crossing of a strait in the midst of a conflict, flight operations involving various aircraft, and the simulation of mass casualties for medical training. Spanish crews completed advanced training in anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, amphibious and surface warfare. The exercise provided an extremely demanding tactical environment that tested multinational cohesion and response speed against contemporary threats.

The Spanish Expeditionary Strike Group attended with its main projection assets: Strategic Projection Vessel ‘Juan Carlos I’, Amphibious Ship ‘Castilla’, Frigates ‘Blas de Lezo’ and ‘Reina Sofía’, and Auxiliary Oiler and Replenishment Ship ‘Patiño’. The deployment included a Reinforced Landing Group (ARD) from the Tercio de Armada, tactical vehicles and amphibious craft.

Spain’s successful participation in FLEETEX-250 reaffirms its commitment to global maritime security and collective allied defence. It also consolidates the Navy’s ability to generate, deploy and sustain a first-class expeditionary force, fully prepared to operate effectively and with leadership in any strategic scenario worldwide.