A Spanish Civil Guard EC-135 helicopter in an amazing flight skimming the water in Vigo

The events of the Spanish Armed Forces Day come to an end today in Vigo, after almost a week of very diverse activities.

The helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft of the Spanish Civil Guard Air Service
The Beechcraft Super King Air 350i aircraft of the Spanish Civil Guard inside and out

As I mentioned yesterday, there was a dynamic demonstration by the Armed Forces and the Civil Guard on Samil beach on Friday. One of the most spectacular moments was a demonstration of counterterrorism tactics by the Civil Guard.

It was a joint demonstration by the Special Intervention Unit (UEI), the Air Service (SAER), and the Maritime Service (SEMAR). The demonstration staged the hijacking of a ship by a terrorist group, followed by a chase of several terrorists fleeing in a speedboat. The SAER contributed two helicopters: the Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin 2 09-401 (HU.30-01, 10083, on the right) and the Eurocopter EC-135P2 09-303 (HU.26-05, 0358, on the left), while the SEMAR contributed its ocean patrol vessel "Duque de Ahumada," playing the role of the hijacked ship, as well as two speedboats.

Here you can see a video showing the demonstration and the risky flight of the EC-135P2 09-303. These are the parts of the video:

• 00:19 - We see the two helicopters arriving at high speed.
• 00:32 - We see a SEMAR (Mexican Navy) boat participating in the operation.
• 01:35 - The AS365N3 Dauphin 2 09-401 disembarks several UEI (Special Intervention Unit) operators onto the "Duque de Ahumada" using the fast-rope system.
• 02:13 - A boat occupied by terrorists flees. The pursuit begins by sea (with the SEMAR boat) and air (with the EC-135P2 09-303).
• 03:58 - The EC-135P2 09-303 is responsible for the most spectacular moment of the chase, flying almost skimming the water with its skids and tail. You can see this moment repeated in slow motion in the video.
• 06:09 - From the EC-135P2 09-303, a UEI operator fires at the terrorist boat's engine, disabling it.
• 06:19 - Two terrorists jump into the water. They will be arrested by the Civil Guard on the beach.
• 06:45 - A Civil Guard officer boards the terrorist boat.

The simulated chase was carried out with great realism and allowed us to verify the skill of the Civil Guard pilots and also the high level of training of their agents.

The SAER of the Civil Guard is known for having some of the best helicopter pilots in Spain, capable of the most risky maneuvers in a chase at sea or rescuing people in the mountains.

The most amazing moment of this display was this. The EC-135P2 was flying so low, chasing the terrorist boat off Samil beach, that it almost touched the water with its skids and tail.

While the helicopter was performing these risky maneuvers, two UEI operators were leaning out of its rear doors, their feet on the aircraft's skids, aiming their weapons at the terrorist boat. These men are truly amazing.

I have admired the Civil Guard for many years. As you can imagine, after this demonstration, that admiration has increased considerably.

What we see here gives us an idea of ​​what these brave men could do to the drug traffickers' boats operating in the Strait of Gibraltar if those in charge gave them permission to shoot at the boats' engines. You can see more photos of this demonstration on my Flickr account and below: