OCEAN SKY 2020 AIR COMBAT EXERCISE
Gando air base in the Canaries, was home during October of one of the biggest air combat exercises in Europe, Ocean Sky 2020 (OS 20). Ocean Sky is organized and coordinated by Spanish Air Force Air Combat Commad, and its main goal is advanced training of fighter pilots and fighter controlers from national and international participants.
Photos (by Edilia Luis)
Missions trained during OS 20 included defensive counterair, ofensive counterair, high valuable assets escort, air defence during personal recovery operations, aerial refueling, etc. It was also important the integration between different units, specialy with those from outside of Spain.
Spanish Air Force fighter units took part, including:
14 EF-18M Hornet (MLU) from 12th and 15th Wings
13 Eurofighter EF2000 from11th and 14th Wings
6 EF-18A Hornet (Classic) from 46th Wing
1 A400M transport aircraft from 31th Wing was flying as an air refueling aircraft.
Spanish Navy Harriers from 9ª Escuadrilla alto took part, deploying 4 AV-8B+ Harrier II from Rota to Gando.
Armee de l’Air (French Air Force) made a great effort deploying a good number of aircraft and personnel for OS 20.
6 Rafale B from 4ème Escadre
7 Rafale C from 30ème Escadre
1 C-135FR Stratotanker air refueling aircraft.
Search and Rescue during the exercise was provided by 46th Wing 802 Sqn with its CN-235 VIGMA aircraft and its Super Puma Helicopters.
It worth noting that a French AWACS EF-3F Sentry took part in a good number of missions, flying directly from its home base in France.
OS 20 In numbers: 700 people, 27 missions, Mora than 500 sorties in optimal weather conditions and with a huge air space available where supersonic fly is permitted.
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