First Overseas Deployment of Spanish NH90 “Lobo” Combat Rescue Helicopters

Ejercito del Aire, February 23, 2026 - Gulfport, Mississippi – Units of the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio) have deployed to Gulfport, Mississippi (United States), to participate in the multinational exercise Southern Strike, an advanced training event focused on special air operations and the integration of joint and combined capabilities.

This deployment marks a historic milestone: for the first time ever, two NH90 “Lobo” helicopters from Wing 48 were embarked and transported inside two A400M aircraft from Wing 31.

This unprecedented operation underscores the Spanish Air and Space Force’s strategic projection, mobility, and logistical sustainment capabilities on a global scale.

Southern Strike

Southern Strike is a large-scale, multinational joint exercise hosted annually at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Mississippi and organized by the Mississippi Air National Guard. The exercise focuses on advanced air and special operations training, integrating air, land, maritime, cyber, and special operations forces in realistic, high-intensity combat scenarios.

Designed to enhance interoperability among U.S. and allied forces, Southern Strike provides a complex operational environment that includes close air support, tactical airlift, special operations insertions, live-fire events, and day-and-night missions under simulated contested conditions.

Southern Strike 2026 (integrated within the broader Sentry South 26-2 exercise) is taking place from February 20 to March 6, 2026, primarily at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Gulfport, Mississippi, with additional activities at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and surrounding areas.

This year's iteration involves approximately 1,100 U.S. service members from active-duty, National Guard, and reserve components across more than 20 states and multiple branches, creating a robust joint training environment. Foreign participation is led by the Spanish Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio), whose deployment—including the pioneering transatlantic transport of NH90 helicopters via A400M—represents a significant international contribution to enhancing multinational interoperability in special air operations and joint combat scenarios.

Participating Units

The exercise brings together key operational elements of the Spanish Air and Space Force:

- EZAPAC (Escuadrón de Zapadores Paracaidistas) – the Air and Space Force’s elite special operations unit.
- Wing 35 (Getafe Air Base), deploying a CN-295 aircraft and crew.
- Wing 48 (Cuatro Vientos Air Base), deploying two NH90 Lobo helicopters.
- Wing 31 (Zaragoza Air Base), providing strategic airlift with A400M aircraft to enable the transatlantic deployment.

The Wing 48 contingent consists of 37 personnel, including pilots, flight engineers, rescue specialists/snipers, armament specialists, and members of the Maintenance and Repair Squadron (ERR), ensuring full operational readiness and sustainment of the helicopters throughout the exercise.

EZAPAC is participating with 12 operators: two assigned to headquarters staff, two in support roles, and eight forming a fully capable Special Operations Task Unit – Air Land Integration (SOTU-ALI), prepared to conduct high-intensity warfare missions with full airpower integration.

Beyond the NH90 “Lobo” helicopters from Wing 48, several key units of the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio are playing a central role in the Southern Strike deployment. Wing 35, based at Getafe Air Base, contributes a CN-295 tactical transport aircraft and crew, providing flexible airlift capability for personnel movement, cargo transport, and special operations support in austere environments. The CN-295’s short takeoff and landing performance and mission adaptability make it particularly well suited for joint expeditionary operations.

Strategic mobility for the entire deployment has been enabled by Wing 31, operating the A400M from Zaragoza Air Base. The unit’s ability to transport fully configured helicopters across the Atlantic demonstrates Spain’s expanding long-range airlift capacity and its commitment to rapid force projection in multinational exercises.

Advanced Special Operations Training

During Southern Strike, participating forces will execute complex special air operations scenarios, including:

- Urban building assaults
- Parachute insertions
- Live-fire exercises
- Tactical low-level flights, both day and night
- Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations

These activities are designed to refine insertion and extraction procedures, enhance air-ground coordination, and strengthen support to special operations units in demanding and high-threat environments.

Strengthening Interoperability and Readiness

Participation in Southern Strike reinforces interoperability with allied forces, strengthens integration among Spanish Air and Space Force units, and maintains a high level of operational readiness for real-world special operations missions.

The successful transport of the NH90 helicopters inside A400M aircraft represents a significant global milestone and highlights Spain’s growing capacity for rapid, long-range deployment of complex air assets in support of multinational operations.