A spectacular display with NH90 and SH-60B military helicopters flying at low altitude in Vigo

This Wednesday, Vigo hosted a new event as part of the main events of the Spanish Armed Forces Day for this year.

The program for Spain's Armed Forces Day 2026, which will be held in Vigo
The military vehicles on display in Vigo to mark Spanish Armed Forces Day

The athletics tracks adjacent to the Balaídos football stadium became the stage for various military demonstrations by the Navy, the Air Force, the Royal Guard, and the Armed Forces Horse Breeding Corps.

There were displays with two helicopters, an NH90 "Lobo" search and rescue helicopter from the 48th Wing of the Spanish Air Force (above these lines), a unit based in Cuatro Vientos (Madrid), and an SH-60B Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter from the 10th Squadron of the Spanish Navy (below these lines), based in Rota (Cádiz).

The athletics track was too small and reached full capacity even with a long queue of people still waiting, despite a particularly hot day in the city, with temperatures reaching 31ºC. I wasn't among the lucky ones who got in, but at least I could watch from the outside in the cool shade. You can see a video summary here of what it was like from the outside:

Below you can see some photos of the exhibition. If you'd like to see more, I've posted a series of 99 photos on my Flickr account.

48th Wing of the Air Force

A spectacular rescue drill by an NH90 "Wolf" helicopter from the 803rd Air Force Squadron, the 803-26 (HD.29-26 10307).

10th Squadron of the Navy

The SH-60B Seahawk helicopter 01-1007 (HS.23-07 70487) made two low passes over the buildings and then landed on the athletics track. It took off displaying a Spanish flag from its starboard door (a nice touch).

Horse Breeding of the Armed Forces

The Armed Forces Horse Breeding Service brought two carriages, two riders with their mounts, and a herd of beautiful white horses, accompanied by foals, to Vigo. As you can see in the video and one of the photos, there was a brief scare when the horses almost stampeded, but they were quickly brought under control.

Royal Guard

The Royal Guard has deployed personnel from its Honors Group and its Music Unit to Vigo, in addition to horses and equipment from its Escort Group, specifically from the Bugle and Drum Band, the Cuirassier Section, the Lancers Section and the Royal Battery, with two Schneider 75/28 mm cannons from 1906.

Naval Police

There was also a demonstration by the Naval Police, I believe from the Naval Police Company of the Tercio del Norte (TERNOR), based in Ferrol. They had three Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans and a Cupra Formentor car.

SEDEX-NRBQ of the Civil Guard

Inside the athletics track there was also a demonstration by the Civil Guard's Explosive Ordnance Disposal and CBRN Defense Service (SEDEX-NRBQ), with an AUNAV 16 unmanned ground robot (UGV) (below).