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The Zaragoza air base is in danger. An invading force, Occassus, has captured the military emplacement, with the support of a part of the civilian population and the deployment of like-minded mercenaries. There is no room for diplomatic negotiation. War has broken out. The Spanish Armed Forces and their allies are preparing to recover the region, with the direct support of the United States. 1,400 soldiers parachute at strategic points and the military response is articulated around the air base itself, the San Gregorio and Huesca maneuver field. The survival of a country and its sovereignty are at stake.
In short, that is the script that supports the exercise Swift Response, some ambitious maneuvers that have the participation of 2,800 troops, from Spain, the United States, Italy, Portugal, Hungary and France. But despite being a fictional scenario, military movements have a lot of real: It is a display of muscle by the allies at a time of international upheaval due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Interoperability between strategic partners is also encouraged to respond to a real and immediate crisis.
It is four in the morning in Colmenar Viejo, headquarters of the headquarters of the Army Air Mobile Forces (FAMET). A small group of journalists prepares the last details to board a Chinook helicopter that will take them to the area of operations. Checking the last details: ready. We take off.
The device vibrates and the noise is deafening. The first spans of the ground are raised; then a few meters in the middle of an enveloping darkness. Until finally the necessary height is taken to undertake the trip heading to San Gregorio. The lights on the ground, already far away, show that in Madrid and in various locations there is already a timid activity underway, despite the early hours of the morning.
The first light breaks when taking in San Gregorio. The cold and wind of the north wind receive visitors like a jolt, evidence that this enclave in the middle of Aragon can become a hostile place From the first moment. And, in the sky, the aircraft that are preparing for a prominent phase of the exercise rumble.
A challenge that only Spain assumes
This ‘war’ that is being waged in Aragonese territory -and a part in Ablitas (Navarra)- is in full swing, taking into account that it began on May 7 and will last until the 20th of the same month. For the Army, it has been “the most important preparation challenge” of the year: It is the first time that a country other than the United States organizes the maneuvers, which has meant extensive certification of Spanish military capabilities to accredit the skills required for this challenge. A challenge that no other European country has taken on in this edition.
Does this modus operandi ring a bell? Does it remind you of the activity carried out by any country today?
occassus attacks, trying to create instability in NATO countries. Organize intimidating military maneuvers on the borders with allied countries. It has private military companies and security firms operating in allied countries with ties to organized crime. They have influence with groups of immigrant population of the same ethnic group, fomenting altercations and revolts to favor their own interests. Does this ring a bell? modus operandi? Does it remind you of the activity carried out by any country today?
Another figure that reveals the magnitude of the Swift Response -in which the Castillejos Division of the Army assumes command of the exercise- is the number of aircraft deployed to test the capabilities of the participants. Spain is contributing two A400 aircraft and one C21, as well as six Tiger helicopters, another four NH90, two Cougar helicopters and four Chinooks. The United States, for its part, incorporates six C17 aircraft, three C130 and some A10 attack aircraft, as well as eight Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters. To all of them we must add another C130 aircraft of the Italian armed forces.
The incorporation of troops from six countries outside of Spain has meant a logistical challenge, but that has not been the only difficulty that -together with the previous validation that has been required of the Army- has been found in the Swift Response. Because even if the war is fictitious, the adversities that arise in maneuvers of this magnitude can directly affect its development.
That was the case of what happened this Wednesday in San Gregorio, when a military ‘macro-jump’ of paratroopers was expected. The strong gusts of wind of the cierzogreater than 20 knots, forced to suspend this activity by exceeding the 14 knots that were set as a limit.
Collective response to aggression
What was tested in Spain allows the allied countries to offer a rapid response to a direct aggression against any of its members; the equivalent of NATO Article 5 activation, of collective defense against a military attack on any of the members of the Alliance. Hence the relevance of these exercises developed mainly in Aragon and those that Vozpopuli has been a direct witness.
The ‘war’ that has broken out in the heart of Aragon takes place at the same time as other exercises that these days are taking place in Estonia and Greece, under the umbrella of the Defender Europe 2023 macro-maneuvers. Its name highlights the ultimate objective of this collective military rehearsal, sponsored by the United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), the United States military division in Europe and Africa.
A first-rate military effort in which the capabilities to respond to aggression are put to the test in an increasingly political context. “You fight as you train,” some of the uniformed officers present at the maneuvers would say.
