The deployment of the Spanish Navy in NATO's major exercise Steadfast Dart 26

At the end of February, one of the most important exercises organized by NATO this year concluded: Steadfast Dart 26.

The AirTEP rapid insertion system used by the Spanish Navy's Green Berets
The arrival of a Spanish special operations military contingent in Emden, Germany

Spain has had a significant role in this exercise. On the naval front, the Spanish Navy sent two ships: the amphibious assault ship (BAA) "Castilla" L-52, which served as the Command Ship, and the frigate "Cristóbal Colón" F-105, which had on board COMANDES-31, the commander of the 31st Surface Squadron, which comprises the Spanish F-100 frigates and is based in Ferrol.

In addition, the exercise also included the participation of the frigate "Almirante Juan de Borbón" F-102, as it is part of NATO's Standing Naval Group 1 (SNMG-1), currently under Spanish command. From February 6th, the combat replenishment ship (CAC) "Patiño" A-14 also participated.

The Spanish Navy also contributed its special operations group, the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), to this exercise. Images released show operators from the FGNE's First Estol "Commandos" and Third Estol "Comanfes" in training.

Regarding naval air participation, the Naval Air Flotilla (FLOAN) contributed SH-60F Seahawk helicopters, formerly belonging to the 5th Squadron and now integrated into the 10th Squadron. They have been seen in tactical transport operations.

Likewise, the transport ship "Ysabel" A-06, a Spanish Army ro-ro operated by the Navy, participated in the withdrawal phase of the exercise, transporting Spanish military vehicles back to Spain this week.

This week, the Spanish Navy has published a good video summarizing this exercise, in which we can see the Spanish ships, aircraft and units contributed to it:

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Main image: Armada Española. The Spanish frigates "Almirante Juan de Borbón" F-102 and "Cristóbal Colón" F-105 during their participation in this exercise.