A visit to Rota, Spain, by C-2A(R) Greyhound planes from the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford

Rota Naval Base, in Cadiz (Spain), is one of the most important naval bases used by the United States Navy outside of its country.

A terrorist attack exercise by the American Military Police at the Spanish base of Rota
Así es como los militares de EEUU honran a su bandera en Rota en su único izado anual

This base is used jointly by the Spanish Navy and the US Navy, and is an important logistics center for both the US naval force and its air force.

On July 17, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the largest warship in the world today, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar with its embarked wing of more than 75 aircraft, including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. During its transit, the American aircraft carrier was accompanied by the Spanish F-86 frigate "Canarias." In this photo released by the U.S. Navy, we see it behind the supply ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), which was sailing a few hundred meters from the carrier.

Like other large aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, the USS Gerald R. Ford uses Grumman C-2A(R) Greyhound transport aircraft to transport personnel and cargo to land bases.

Currently, the aircraft of this type operated from the Ford belong to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) "Rawhides" based in Norfolk, Virginia. A unit founded on July 1, 1960, which previously operated Grumman C-1A Trader aircraft.

On the same day that the Ford crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, two C-2A(R) Greyhounds embarked on that aircraft carrier arrived at the Rota Naval Base, displaying the striking VRC-40 taillights, which show a rising sun over the sea. The aircraft that appear in the photos are two: 162166 (51) and 162157 (52).

The Grumman C-2 Greyhound is an aircraft with many years of service. It made its first flight on November 18, 1964, being a development of the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft, which is also still active in the US Navy.

The Greyhound is powered by two Allison T56-A-425 turboprop engines, each producing 4,600 shp. It has a crew of four: pilot, co-pilot, and two loadmasters. It can carry 26 passengers, 12 stretchers, and a total of 4,536 kg of cargo. It can reach a top speed of 635 km/h and have a range of 2,400 km.

The US Navy has always been the sole operator of the Greyhound, having received 17 C-2As (a now retired variant) and 39 C-2A(Rs), a 1984 variant still in service in four squadrons.

The C-2A(R) is being replaced by the Bell Boeing CMV-22B Osprey, a tiltrotor variant built for the US Navy. The replacement process is scheduled to be completed by 2028, so it's possible we'll see the Greyhounds flying to Rota Naval Base for a few more years.

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Photos: U.S. Navy.