Spanish Air and Space Force

Escuadron 803

803 squadron

Established 1954

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History C/N Photos

Part of Ala 48 (48 Wing). Unit history:

1954 as 53 Escuadrilla de Salvamento

1957 as 57 Escuadrilla de Salvamento

1963 as 57 Escuadron de Salvamento

1965 as 803 escuadron de Salvamento

1967 as Escuadron 803

By the year 2000, Escuadron 803 area of responsibility for Search & Rescue covers the Madrid Flight Information Region (FIR), which is coordinated from the Madrid Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) for the central and western part of Spain.

Between 2005 and 2013, the Ala 48 ( 48 Wing ) deployed 3 HD.21 (AS332 Super Puma) helicopters to Afghanistan as HELISAF detachment part of NATO ISAF mission. Based at Herat they flew 6000 hours performing more than 1200 CasEvac and MedEvac sorties.

From January 1st, 2015 mission changed to Resolute Support with Spanish Air Force still operating the Herat airbase and military hospital.

News

Air Force NH90 Qualification on Juan Carlos I Assault Ship

Feb 14, 2024 · The Spanish Air Force has initiated qualifications for its new NH90 Lobo search and rescue helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I of the Spanish Navy
Spanish Air Force NH90 Lobo Reaches 3,000 Flight Hours

Aug 19, 2023 · The six Spanish Air Force NH90 helicopters reached 3,000 flight hours since entering service in October 2020
2,000 Flight Hours for Spanish Air Force NH90 Lobo

Feb 28, 2023 · The six NH90 (HD.29 Lobo) helicopters of the Spanish Air and Space Force reached 2,000 flight hours in just 2 years of operations making the 48th Wing the highest operational NH90 unit of the world
NH90 Ready to Fly on A400M

Jun 25, 2022 · Spanish Air Force completed validation for the air transport of the NH90 helicopter by the A400M cargo plane. With Airbus authorization, two new mooring points needed to be added to the helicopter’s landing gear
Spanish Air Force NH90 Getting Ready

Jul 24, 2021 · Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire) first NH90 unit, the 803 Squadron at Cuatro Vientos, Madrid completed the first conversion course for Super Puma pilots
First NH90 Lobo for Spanish Air Force

Oct 14, 2020 · Airbus Albacete delivered the first of 12 NH90 to the Spanish Air Force. “Lobo” (Wolf) is powered by GE CT7 engines and the first helicopters will go to 48 Wing / 803 Squadron for CSAR and special operations missions

Apr 27, 2020 · Spain Super Pumas Ready Against COVID-19

Locations

1954-1971	LEGT	Base Aérea de Getafe
1971-	LECU	Cuatro Vientos
2005-2013	OAHR HEA	Herat

Models

1954-1970	Sikorsky S-55 H-19
1966-1991	Agusta AB205
1981-	Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma
2020-	NH Industries NH90 Lobo

Operations

20 Dec 20012001	--	ISAF
22 Sep 20142014	25 Sep 20142014	SAR meet 2014
23 May 20182018	06 Jun 20182018	APROC 2018
26 Jun 20232023	07 Jul 20232023	APROC 2023

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