Spanish participation in Exercise 'Steadfast Dart 26' concludes in Germany

Artillery Unit in the exercise

The Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), led by Spain, concluded its participation on 23 February in Exercise “Steadfast Dart 26,” NATO’s most important annual exercise, held in Germany.

The Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE) has been responsible, for the second consecutive year, for leading the SOCC. The Spanish units comprising the SOCC have demonstrated their readiness, operational capability, and integration with the other multinational component commands that make up the ARF, while also strengthening their experience under highly demanding conditions.

Image of the BRIPAC Task Group

“Steadfast Dart 26” is a multi-domain activity in which the entire ARF is deployed. Approximately 10,000 service members from eleven countries took part in its execution, organized into ARF units from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Türkiye, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom.

The broad contribution of Spanish Armed Forces units, organized under the Land Component Command (MCT), Maritime Component Command (MOM), and Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE), was carried out under the coordination and leadership of the Operations Command.

Search and Rescue

The Land Component Command (MCT) was structured around the Spanish Army’s Parachute Brigade “Almogávares” VI, whose units were integrated into the Multinational Brigade led by Italy.

Brigade VI deployed the “Lauria” Task Group, formed on the basis of the “Roger de Lauria” II Battalion. This combat unit incorporated additional capabilities, including two field artillery and air defense batteries, an engineer company, and cavalry reconnaissance teams.In addition, the Spanish Army contributed to the ARF Land Component Command (MCT) with two NH90 crews from Helicopter Maneuver Battalion (BHELMA) III, assigned to the Army Airmobile Forces (FAMET), which operated from Hohn Air Base (Germany).

For its part, the Spanish Navy provided the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR), with the amphibious assault ship “Castilla” serving as the flagship of the Maritime Component Command.