Latvia shows two Spanish A400Ms in a large BRIPAC jump in that country

The 6th Paratrooper Brigade "Almogávares" (BRIPAC) of the Spanish Army was deployed a few days ago in Latvia.

Spain manages to load a VCR Dragon armored vehicle on an A400M plane of the 31st Wing
The USAF releases photos of a Spanish A400M in a place in the US that was part of Spain

The Spanish Defense Staff (EMAD) indicated that this deployment is due to exercise Swift Response 25, the first of three exercises within the Defender Europe 25 maneuvers, organized by the US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) "and whose main objective is to demonstrate the capacity of the United States, partner countries and NATO allies to project forces to protect the eastern flank of Europe and its population". The main novelty of this year's edition of these major military maneuvers is that for the first time the BRIPAC has led an Initial Entry Force (JFE) The Latvian Army has published this video of the exercise on its YouTube channel:

In addition to BRIPAC, the Spanish Air Force has also participated in this exercise, deploying two A400M Atlas transport aircraft from the 31st Wing to Latvia, specifically the T.23-01 (31-21) and the T.23-04 (31-24), and personnel from the Air Deployment Support Squadron (EADA), both units based in Zaragoza. In total, Spain is deploying 650 soldiers, two aircraft and 20 vehicles, supported by the Spanish contingent of the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, based at Camp Ādaži, made up of armored units participating in the operation to reinforce the western flank of the Atlantic Alliance.

During the exercise, members of the BRIPAC's Advanced Reconnaissance Company (CRAV) and EADA members "began insertion into two drop zones near the towns of Daugavpils and Skrunda," EMAD said. Also participating in the exercise were paratroopers from the US Army's 173rd Sky Soldiers Airborne Brigade, which is made up of 3,300 soldiers and is headquartered at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy.

Approximately 500 Spanish paratroopers jumped from two A400M Atlases at two designated drop zones. In addition to the troops, this insertion operation also involved the launch of four L-118 Light Gun howitzers belonging to the Sixth Field Artillery Group (GACA VI) of the BRIPAC. This is the first time this Brigade has made a jump of this magnitude so far from Spain.

Swift Response 25 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe. This year's event brings together 6,000 troops from 14 allied nations. Operations take place in five countries: Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

The excellent photos you can see in this article were published by the Latvian Army. They were taken by one of their "combat cameras", Sergeant Major E. Grundsteins. You can see them enlarged by clicking on each image. I've said before that the Latvian Army has excellent professional photographers, and these magnificent photos are proof of that. You can see more here.

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Video and photos: Latvijas Armija / Virsseržants E. Grundšteins.