{"id":56307,"date":"2024-06-22T21:47:16","date_gmt":"2024-06-22T19:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=56307"},"modified":"2025-06-22T00:16:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T22:16:35","slug":"the-flight-of-the-ab-212-gato-helicopters-of-the-spanish-navy-in-latvia-before-their-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2024\/06\/22\/the-flight-of-the-ab-212-gato-helicopters-of-the-spanish-navy-in-latvia-before-their-farewell\/","title":{"rendered":"The flight of the AB-212 'Gato' helicopters of the Spanish Navy in Latvia before their farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"

This summer is going to be time for farewells for the Spanish Navy, and specifically for some old helicopters.<\/p>\n

The Spanish Navy together with the US Marines in the BALTOPS 24 exercise in Latvia<\/a><\/rel>
\nThe emotive farewell of the Spanish Navy to the AB-212 helicopter in Operation Atalanta<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

On July 31, the Agusta-Bell AB-212 is scheduled to be withdrawn from service<\/strong>, a model nicknamed \"Gato\" by the Spanish Navy as that is the radio callsign of the 3rd Squadron<\/strong>, a unit founded in 1965 (it then flew with AB-204) and which will be dissolved with the dismissal of these aircraft. Its hangar will be occupied by the new 12th Squadron<\/strong>, which is already flying with the newly released Airbus Helicopters H135 P3H Nival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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An AB-212 of the Spanish Navy, HA.18-12 (01-316), disembarking US Marines and Spanish Marines at the \"Me\u017eaine\" military range, in Latvia, on June 10 during exercise Baltops 24 (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps \/ Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy<\/a>).<\/div>\n

The seven AB-212s of the 3rd Squadron arrived in Spain between 1974 and 1980.<\/strong> Thus, the oldest of them has already been in service for 50 years. Their withdrawal from service in the Navy will not mean a definitive farewell to the Spanish Armed Forces, since they will be transferred to the Maneuver Helicopter Battalion VI (BHELMA VI) of the Spanish Army<\/strong>, based in Los Rodeos (Tenerife), which still operates three AB-212 helicopters.<\/p>\n

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The AB-212 HA.18-12 disembarking a Spanish Marine using the fast rope system in Latvia on June 11 during exercise Baltops 24 (Photo: dvidshub.net<\/a>).<\/div>\n

At the end of February, the Spanish Navy held a farewell ceremony for the AB-212 in Operation Atalanta<\/a>, in which these old helicopters have accompanied the \"Santa Mar\u00eda\" F-80 class frigates in 17 deployments to the Indian Ocean over 9 years. Now, the AB-212 embarked on the \"Juan Carlos I\" L-61 aircraft carrier are in the Baltic Sea<\/strong>, participating in the NATO Baltops 24 exercise, which will conclude next Monday, June 24. This is possibly the last international mission of these aircraft with the Spanish Navy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
A family photo of the crew of an AB-212 of the Spanish Navy with US Marines and Spanish Marines in Skrunda, Latvia, on June 10 (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps \/ Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy<\/a>).<\/div>\n

Yesterday, the Latvian Army published a video showing some beautiful images of the Spanish AB-212 in this exercise<\/strong>. Spanish Marines, US Marines and members of the Latvian National Guard who participated in these maneuvers also appear in the video. The images were recorded at the \"Me\u017eaine\" military range<\/strong>, in the Latvian town of Kauja. I recommend turning up the volume to enjoy the classic sound of the two-blade rotor of these helicopters:<\/p>\n