All images by Joe Ciliberti
US Army’s Sikorsky HH/UH‐60 Blackhawks above and their Boeing AH‐64D Apache below, and a B‐52H
flying over the exercise area, top right.
Apart from battlefield airspace security by the Spanish Air Force’s EF‐18’s their main role was supporting the
attacking friendly paratroopers in San Gregoria. Several transport aircraft were used for these missions
among them five USAF C‐17’s used only during the media day. One of the aircraft which we found most in‐
teresting used during these missions was the Ukrainian Air Force’s IL‐76MD. This aircraft has the capability
to fly 225 fully equipped paratroopers into the combat zone. The aircraft has two levels, which is absolutely
unique. SAR and CSAR Missions were flown by Spanish Eurocopters AS332. For special missions the US Air
Force brought in three brand new CV‐22B’s Ospreys to Zaragoza from the SOC in Mildenhall.
November 4th marked the day NATO wanted to show off to the media some of its air and land capabilities
over the San Gregorio ranges just outside Zaragoza, Spain. It turned out to be a lovely typical Spanish No‐
vember morning coming straight on the heels of two days of monsoon‐type weather marked by heavy
downpours and strong winds.
The arrival of NATO Secretary Jens Stolterberg on board a Spanish Puma signalled the imminent start to the
day’s activities and after a few speeches the ranges were overflown, right on time, by a pair of mighty B‐52s
that flew all the way from their base in Barksdale, LA., USA. The pair had hardly departed the ranges when
the sound of heavy helicopters could be heard, but not seen, until a formation of 4 US Army Chinooks es‐
corted by two Apaches scraped right over the last hill to commence their ‘takeover’ of the Taliban‐like village
set up purposely for training the troops before they deploy downrange. Tanks, helicopters, gunfire, APCs
were all in action with repeated explosions taking part all over the San Gregorio ranges. Czech AF L‐159 Al‐
cas and Spanish F‐18 Hornets made repeated visits to the range as slowly but surely, the bad guys were
driven out and eventually eliminated by the end of the morning’s activities.
The Aviation Magazine would like to thank to the Spokesman of the exercise Lt. Col. Luc Gaudet (Canadian
Army), Lt. Col. Marco Schmidl (German Air Force), Lt.Col Thomas Dillschneider (German Air Force), Capt Leva
Gulbiniene (Lithuanian Air Force), Maj Uwe Welter (German Army), Maj Felix Barquero for their cooperation
and hospitality.