MARFIBEX-25. Land, Sea and Air Amphibious Operations

A total of 600 military personnel from the Marine Corps’ Brigade "Tercio de Armada" (BRIMAR) have participated in a demanding amphibious maneuvers at the Sierra del Retín training range (Cádiz).

This Spanish-Italian collaboration of combined landings (X-DECK AND X-DOCK) took place between May 12 and 16 with the participation of the Spanish amphibious LPDs L-51 'Galicia' and L-52 'Castilla', four LCM-1E landing craft of the Naval Beach Group (GRUPLA) and SH-60F and H135 helicopters.

For its part, the Italian Force participated with the amphibious assault ship L-9892 'San Giorgio', as well as an MH-101 ‘Shark’ helicopter and other amphibious vehicles with more than 300 troops.

The execution of the exercise was managed and led by the Commander of the Spanish Navy’s Amphibious Group who embarked on the LPD ‘Galicia’ along with his Deployable General Staff. Among the programmed tasks was the evaluation of the 245^th Reinforced Landing Battalion for Combat to certify it as an A1 readiness group, required to deploy in high-intensity operations.

Also scheduled were protocol visits to strengthen ties with our Italian counterparts with view to the next change of command of the Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force SIAF-SILF, scheduled for 18 July, when Spain will again assume command of this Force.