The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, visited yesterday the Spanish Air Force 12 Squadron at Torrejón Air Base, which will take on the mission of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing in Romania until December.
Since early August, nearly 200 Spanish personnel will be responsible for ensuring the security of the airspace in the Eastern Flank, incorporating, for the first time, NH90 helicopters into operations alongside the F-18s.
The main concern lies in the volatility of the airspace due to the constant incursions of drones. In light of this threat, Spanish pilots have received specific training to neutralize these devices. Lieutenant Colonel Alberto Calvo, head of the detachment, has expressed confidence in the personnel’s capabilities to meet the commitments made with NATO.
During her visit, Robles thanked the personnel for their professionalism and sense of duty, highlighting that their work is recognized in international meetings. Furthermore, she emphasized that, despite the risks, Spanish military personnel will once again demonstrate their rigor and discipline, essential elements for the security and defense of their allies in the region.
The Enhanced Air Surveillance (eAP in English) is part of NATO’s security measures introduced in 2014, following Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The Alliance implemented these Security Measures with the aim of demonstrating the collective determination of the Allies, showcasing NATO’s defensive nature, and deterring Russia from aggression or the threat of aggression against NATO Allies. These measures are flexible and expandable in response to fluctuations in the security situation faced by the Alliance, and send a strong and unequivocal message to public opinion.
