Spanish Ejército del Aire 14th Wing Based in Albacete will conduct maneuvers in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and India during 2024

 

According to statements made by the Chief Colonel of the 14th Wing of the Spanish Air Force last December, as part of a military festivity, the 14th Wing will engage in maneuvers alongside the German Luftwaffe and the French Armée de L'Air in Alaska (USA), Japan, and Hawaii between June and August 2024. This presents a significant challenge for the unit, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Established in 1974 to operate the Dassault Aviation Mirage F-1, one of the most advanced fighters of its time, the 14th Wing was located in Albacete at the decision of the Ministry of the Air. Prior to that, the base hosted the 37th Transport Wing equipped with DHC-4 Caribou aircraft.

The first 4 Mirage F1 arrived in Albacete on June 18, 1975, from the French airbase Mont de Marsans, part of an initial order of 48 units. In 2011, the transformation process to the Eurofighter began, and the wing currently operates around 35 units.

The Luftwaffe will lead these deployments, following a similar deployment in 2022 called Rapid Pacific in the Asia-Pacific region, involving 6 Eurofighters, 4 A400M transport aircraft, and 3 A330 MRTT tanker aircraft. The objective was to practice deployment and interoperability with allied countries from different continents if the need arises.

Initially, the 14th Wing will fly with 4 Eurofighters to Alaska for the Arctic Defender 2024 exercise, alongside 8 German Eurofighters, 12 Tornados, and 6 French Rafales, as well as A400M and A330 MRTT transport aircraft from all three countries.

After participating in this exercise, the next stop will be Japan for interoperability exercises with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Subsequently, the aircraft will move to Hawaii to take part in the RIMPAC exercises organized by the US Navy.

Towards the end of July, the 14th Wing will participate in the 'Pitch Black' exercises in Australia, and the final leg will be in India, with the intention of joining the 'Tarang Shakti' exercises with the Indian Air Force, before returning to Europe.

However, this won't be the first time the 14th Wing has participated in maneuvers in such distant locations. In 2002, the wing took part in the Cope Thunder exercise in Alaska alongside aircraft from the USA, France, and Japan.