The Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) carried out its main exercise at Gando Air Base in the Canary Islands during the last two weeks of October. This exercise, called SIRIO, test all the capabilities of the SASF, including command, control & communications, cyber warfare, combat operations, search and rescue, joint operations, special force operations etc.
A good number of aircraft were deployed to Gando from the mainland, including EF-18M Hornet from 12th and 15th Fighter Wings, Eurofighter EF2000 from 14th and 11th Fighter Wings, Airbus C-295 tactical transports from 35th Wing, NH-90 “Lobo” helicopters from 48th Wing and a A400M configured as a tanker from 31th Wing. An UAS MQ-9B Reaper from 23th Wing also took part, in this case operating from Lanzarote Military Airfield. This edition of Sirio included a rare participation from a foreign country, Portugal, which sent F-16AM fighters to take part in the exercise. The last but not least, the locally based 46th Wing also took part with their EF-18A Hornet, while their CN-235 and Super Puma carried out SAR duties.
All kind of missions were exercised like offensive and defensive counter-air, air to air refuelling, special operations, combat search and rescue, suppression of enemy air defences, tactical transport, etc. In spite of being and SASF exercise, the Spanish Navy and Army also took part with air defence systems, ships, special operations teams, etc. enhancing integration and joint operations.
As each year, SIRIO24 has allowed the SASF flexes its muscles and test personal, material and capabilities in an intense “war like” exercise, ensuring that a good number of lessons have been learn in order of improving the effectiveness of the Spanish armed forces in the future to come.
Photos by Edilia Luis:
