The Armada Expeditionary Combat Group ‘DespliegueAtlántico26’ starts its Atlantic deployment.

Two months of intense work lie ahead for the members of the Expeditionary Combat Group ‘DespliegueAtlántico26’ who, after participating in the Armed Forces Day events in Vigo, have set sail to conduct the largest naval deployment of the Armed Forces in 2026.

Commanded by the Vice Admiral, Commander of the High Readiness Maritime Headquarters (CGMAD) and the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR), aboard the LPD ‘Castilla’, the Expeditionary Combat Group ‘DespliegueAtlántico26’ is made up by the other following ships: LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’, with the Commander of the Fleet Projection Group and the Deputy Commander (XO) of the MC ‘Tercio de Armada’ and Landing Force on board; the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’, with the Commander of the 31st Surface Squadron; the frigate ‘Reina Sofía’; and the AOR ‘Patiño’. Likewise, the Landing Force of this Expeditionary Combat Group is comprised of a Reinforced Landing Battalion of Spanish Marines. Participating air assets include: AV8B ‘Harrier’ aircraft, SH60 ‘Seahawk’ and H135 ‘Nival’ helicopters from the Armada, and HT-27 ‘Cougar’ and HA-28 ‘Tiger’ helicopters from the Spanish Army. In total, five ships, 2,500 people, 75 vehicles, 10 aircraft, and 12 amphibious landing craft, enabling the Spanish Armed Forces to be capable of projecting an expeditionary force at sea and from the sea.

More than 60 days of deployment in which, firstly, during the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, the Expeditionary Combat Group will carry out a training and integration phase. Once on the east coast of the United States, the ‘DespliegueAtlántico26’ will participate in the international exercise FLEETEX 250, led by the US Navy. Subsequently, the Group will participate in the International Naval Review, scheduled as part of the program of activities centered in the port of New York to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and its Navy.

Finally, during the return transit to Spain, the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR) will be activated as Commander Task Force (CTF) ATLANTIC, the NATO group responsible for monitoring and protecting the North Atlantic area of responsibility. It is worth noting that only six of NATO's 32 countries are capable of providing a qualified maritime headquarters to lead the Alliance's maritime forces, such as the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters. This activation of CTF ATLANTIC will be the first of any nation under NATO's new Regional Plans model, and will allow the Armada to participate for the first time in the enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) ‘ARCTIC SENTRY’, a surveillance and deterrence operation launched in January 2026 in response to growing concerns about securing the Alliance's northern flank.

‘DespliegueAtlántico26’ is taking place on a vital axis for NATO's regional security, as this ocean concentrates essential maritime trade routes, critical energy infrastructures, and submarine cables on which our economies and societies depend. In this way, the Expeditionary Combat Group will contribute to NATO's deterrence and defense, demonstrating Spain's firm commitment to increasing security in the international strategic environment. But none of this would be possible without the personnel of each unit. Men and women trained for combat, whose endeavors, along with those of their families, are an essential cornerstone. The unwavering mission of the Armed Forces, the Defense of Spain, relies on the training and commitment of each of its members, in their daily work to guarantee the peace and security of citizens in the face of new hybrid threats.