Two EF-18M fighters from the Air and Space Army have intercepted and identified this Monday a Russian surveillance aircraft that was flying over international waters without establishing contact with civil air control, according to the Defense Staff as stated on "X" and reported by Europa Press.
This action constitutes the first "Alpha Scramble" quick alert mission of the Tactical Air Detachment "Amber," deployed at Ämari Air Base (Estonia). From these facilities, Spain participates in the surveillance and protection of airspace within the framework of NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) in the Baltic countries.
Under the command of Commander Antonio Mancebo Marín, the "Amber" detachment is made up of military personnel from various units of the Air and Space Army, with a main contribution from Wing 15, based in Zaragoza. In total, Spain contributes 110 personnel and four EF-18M fighters for this allied mission.
The Spanish forces operate in close coordination with resources from other Alliance countries. From Ämari, Turkish Air Force F-16s also take off, while the Italian Air Force contributes to NATO's air policing mission with EF-2000 aircraft from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania.