—In 2014, NATO nations approved
a series of Assurance Measures aimed
primarily at supporting allied nations in
Eastern Europe in response to Russia’s
annexation of Crimea. These measures
included approving increased means of
warning and surveillance of airspace
for possible threats in this area of
Europe, in what was called enhanced
Air Policing.
As the Black Sea is one of the
NATO country borders with others,
such as Russia, which has some air
and naval activity in the region, it is
one of the areas where NATO decided
to implement this type of mission in
order to have the necessary means
available at all times, depending on
potential risks. But, taking advantage
of this air reinforcement there, other
air activities are also carried out to
promote deterrence and defence of the
area. This is why NATO is organising
enhanced Air Policing detachments in
Romania and Bulgaria.
—
What are the tasks of the
Spanish aircraft that have joined this
mission?
—The Spanish 11th Wing
detachment, with Eurofighter aircraft,
reinforces air defence in Romania by
deploying to the Mihail Kogalniceanu
base, located to the east, close to the
Black Sea. From there they effectively
carry out the air surveillance mission
alongside Romanian interceptor
aircraft. It is certainly a proof to the
solidarity among NATO countries.
In addition, they conduct training
missions with them, thereby fostering
integration and interoperability
between units from different Alliance
countries. Its mission is led by CAOC
Torrejón, which is responsible for this
mission in southern Europe, as it was
for the previous detachments that
other countries carried out in Romania
and Bulgaria (Canadians, Americans,
Italians, Portuguese and British).
—Do these missions take place in
other areas of Europe?
—Yes. As in the south, such
security measures are also carried out
in the Baltic countries and Iceland in
northern Europe for the same purpose
and with the same procedures. This
“We are vigilant in anticipating any threat that
may come from the air, both from civilian and
military aircraft”
April 2021 Revista Española de Defensa 37