The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, highlighted this Wednesday the work of the almost 200 members of the Air and Space Army who are part of the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Paznic', deployed in Romania as part of NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission to protect the eastern flank of the Alliance. "They are an example of commitment and represent the best of Spain," she conveyed to them.
Robles expressed this at the 'Mihail Kogalniceanu' Air Base, in Romanian territory, during a meeting with the Spanish contingent in which she emphasized that NATO's mission "constitutes a fundamental pillar for global security" in such a "complex and unstable" international context. "They represent the best of our Armed Forces, guaranteeing peace and Human Rights," added the minister, who had already visited this detachment in 2025.
Before meeting with the troops, the Defense official held an interview with her Romanian counterpart, Radu-Dinel Miruta, who expressed his recognition for the role of the Spanish mission in protecting the area, located very close to the scene of the war in Ukraine.
Miruta highlighted the actions of a Spanish fighter that neutralized a Russian drone that entered Romanian airspace last August. It was the first time that an allied country, other than the Romanian Air Force, shot down a drone in its territory. The Spanish military carried out the shootdown just an hour and a quarter after the alert was activated.
Robles traveled accompanied by the Chief of the Defense Staff (JEMAD), Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, and thanked her counterpart for the recognition of the professionalism of the Spanish uniformed personnel, whom she described as "the best."
Concentration, precision, and joint work
In her speech to the contingent, the minister conveyed her support, reminding them that only they "know how complicated it is to be far from home, the concentration and precision that an operation like facing an aerial threat or being in constant alert and preparation requires, are an example of commitment and represent the best of Spain."
To conclude, Robles emphasized that "together we are stronger" and that "unity and collaboration are indispensable tools to face threats," as indicated by the Ministry of Defense in a statement.
The 'Paznic', commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Alberto Borja Calvo, operates with seven F-18 fighters from Wing 12 and an A400M aircraft from Wing 31, dedicated to in-flight refueling. To these means, three NH-90 helicopters from Wing 48 will be added starting in October.
In addition, Spain maintains two other complementary deployments in Romania: the DAT 'Tigru', which reinforces allied presence with a surveillance radar, and the FIMAR-R contingent, with around 200 Marines integrated into the 'Multinational Battle Group' under French leadership.