F-18 in Palma for Eagle Eye 23-01

One of six F-18s involved in the exercise. | Chief of Defence Staff

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma21/03/2023 19:38
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Spain's Operational Aerospace Command is currently undertaking the Eagle Eye 23-01 exercise in the Balearics. Eagle Eye, a regular exercise involving all the armed forces, takes place in different parts of the Spain; the latest is in the Balearics and will last until Friday. The flagship of the Spanish navy, the aircraft carrier, Almirante Juan de Borbón, will be operating in Balearic waters. She is equipped with Sea Harrier aircraft.

The exercise involves air surveillance and defensive missions in response to simulated air raids and movements of unidentified aircraft. These will evaluate the response and integration of land forces and naval air resources.

More than 2,000 members of the armed forces are participating in the exercise. King Felipe will attend the exercise by visiting units in different locations on the islands - in Palma, Ibiza and in insular waters - on Wednesday. Six F-18s have been deployed to the Balearics and are at present based at Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma. Also, taking part in the exercise are six Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

The ministry of defence says that "given the current global situation, the Spanish Armed Forces continue to be well enlisted and prepared to face any contingency". "This activation carried out by Operational Aerospace Command demonstrates the high degree of availability and preparation that the Spanish Armed Forces have to face any threat in the airspace of national sovereignty."