Armada Española, December 09, 2024 - Important milestones continue to be met in the process of entering the Twelfth Squadron into service.
Firstly, on Wednesday, November 27th, the Navy received the fifth AIRBUS H135 P3H helicopter, which has been incorporated into the Twelfth Squadron of the Naval Aviation Flotilla. The Joint H135 Program Office of the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM), which manages the acquisition file, transferred the helicopter to the Navy at the facilities of Airbus Helicopters Spain (AHE) in Albacete. The transfer of the last two aircraft, the NIVAL 1206 and 1207, is expected during the first half of next year, also in Albacete.
Additionally, the first operational deployment of an H135 from the Twelfth Squadron has been completed. It took place aboard the Combat Supply Ship (BAC) "Cantabria" in the "Noble Shield" operation, from October 3rd to December 5th, carrying out 56.8 flight hours in 33 flights, with 100% operability. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, logistical flights, and a real medical evacuation were carried out.
Finally, the completion of the Operational Evaluation of the H135 is noteworthy. This included: Operational Evaluation in port, Initial Qualification Campaign on Ships aboard the Maritime Action Vessel (BAM) "Meteoro," where both the BAM itself and the NIVAL 01 were instrumented, embarkation of the first experimental Shipborne Air Unit (UNAEMB) aboard the LPD "Galicia," Operational Evaluation in flight on the BAM "Relámpago" with the creation of wind charts, and deployment of the first Detached Air Unit (UNADEST) at the Naval Military School where familiarization flights were carried out for the midshipmen.
In less than a year since the first helicopter was delivered to the Navy, the entry into service sequence of the Twelfth Squadron has been completed, and its maintenance personnel and flight crews continue to train and integrate into the Navy.
Firstly, on Wednesday, November 27th, the Navy received the fifth AIRBUS H135 P3H helicopter, which has been incorporated into the Twelfth Squadron of the Naval Aviation Flotilla. The Joint H135 Program Office of the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM), which manages the acquisition file, transferred the helicopter to the Navy at the facilities of Airbus Helicopters Spain (AHE) in Albacete. The transfer of the last two aircraft, the NIVAL 1206 and 1207, is expected during the first half of next year, also in Albacete.
Additionally, the first operational deployment of an H135 from the Twelfth Squadron has been completed. It took place aboard the Combat Supply Ship (BAC) "Cantabria" in the "Noble Shield" operation, from October 3rd to December 5th, carrying out 56.8 flight hours in 33 flights, with 100% operability. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, logistical flights, and a real medical evacuation were carried out.
Finally, the completion of the Operational Evaluation of the H135 is noteworthy. This included: Operational Evaluation in port, Initial Qualification Campaign on Ships aboard the Maritime Action Vessel (BAM) "Meteoro," where both the BAM itself and the NIVAL 01 were instrumented, embarkation of the first experimental Shipborne Air Unit (UNAEMB) aboard the LPD "Galicia," Operational Evaluation in flight on the BAM "Relámpago" with the creation of wind charts, and deployment of the first Detached Air Unit (UNADEST) at the Naval Military School where familiarization flights were carried out for the midshipmen.
In less than a year since the first helicopter was delivered to the Navy, the entry into service sequence of the Twelfth Squadron has been completed, and its maintenance personnel and flight crews continue to train and integrate into the Navy.
An H135P3H with a SH-60F Seahawk aboard LPD Castilla
See also |
H135 / EC135P3H in
Arma Aerea de la Armada Española Castilla ( L52, Galicia Class ) Cantabria ( A-15, Cantabria class ) 
