Historical background
A Government decree dated 2d October 1935 of the Second Spanish Republic, Spanish Republican Government that placed the ''Dirección General de Aeronáutica'' under the authority of a specific ministry, known then as the War Ministry, ''Ministerio de la Guerra'', instead of being under the ''Prime Minister of Spain, Presidencia del Gobierno''. Following that decree, the Air Force regional units became restructured in 1936. Accordingly, the Spanish Navy-based ''Escuadra'' model was replaced by ''Región Militar'' divisions which was operative until for all of the 20th century. Nowadays the Spanish Air Force is still under a separate ministry, the Ministerio de Defensa. After the Spanish Civil War the bulk of the Spanish Armed Forces changes were introduced within the regional structure, following which all relevant air bases would be withdrawn from Catalonia, a former key region in the development of the ''Aeronáutica Militar'', the Spanish Air Force in its early days. Even though before and during the Civil War important air bases had been established in or around Barcelona, like the ''Aviación Naval'', henceforward the whole northeastern area of Spain would be left with mere token presence of the Spanish Air Force. The situation is similar in the Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Country as well, with the difference that there had not been any important air bases there before the conflict that shaped the present structure. While Galicia (Spain), Galicia has no significant Air Force Base within its territory, it has nevertheless a very important Naval Base at Ferrol, Galicia, Ferrol.Structure
The Air Force Chief of Staff (JEMA) commands all units of the Spanish Air Force from the headquarter in Madrid. * Air Force Chief of Staff (JEMA) ** Air Force Headquarters (CGEA) in Madrid ** Combat Air Command (MACOM) at Torrejón Air Base ** General Air Command (MAGEN) in Madrid ** Canary Islands Air Command (MACAN) in Las Palmas ** Logistic Support Command (MALOG) in Madrid ** Personnel Command (MAPER) in Madrid ** Economic Affairs Directorate (DAE) in MadridAir Force Headquarters
The Air Force Headquarters manages the human and material resources necessary for the JEMA to exercise command over the Air Force. * Air Force Headquarters in Madrid ** Air Force Staff (EMA) ** Air Force Chief of Staff Cabinet (GABJEMA) ** Technical Services, Information Systems and Telecommunications Service (JSTCIS) ** Air Force Historical and Cultural Service (SHYCEA) *** Aeronautics and Astronautics Museum *** Aeronautical History and Culture Institute ** Air Force Legal Advice (AJA) ** Central Intervention Delegate (IDC) (Fiscal Control) ** Air Force Headquarters Support Grouping (ACGEA) *** Security Group (GRUSEG) **** Honor Guard *** Support Group (GRUAP) *** Transport Squadron (ESAUT) *** Air Force Headquarters First Aid Station *** Air Force Headquarters Pharmacy and OptricianCombat Air Command
The Combat Air Command (MACOM) at Torrejón Air Base is the operational headquarter of the Spanish Air Force and responsible for the control and defense of the Spanish airspace. * Combat Air Command at Torrejón Air Base ** Combat Air Command Headquarter (CGMACOM) at Torrejón Air Base *** Combat Air Command General Staff *** Air Operations Center / NATO CAOC Torrejón, responsible for NATO's NATO Integrated Air Defense System, Integrated Air Defense System South of the Alps ** Command and Control Systems Headquarter (JSMC) at Torrejón Air Base *** Central Command and Control Group (GRUCEMAC) at Torrejón Air Base *** Northern Command and Control Group (GRUNOMAC) at Zaragoza Air Base *** Mobile Air Control Group (GRUMOCA) at Seville Airport, Tablada Air Base *** Operational Air Traffic Group (GRUCAO) at Torrejón Air Base *** 1st Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 1) radar station at Air Station El Frasno (Province of Zaragoza, Zaragoza) *** 2nd Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 2) radar station at Air Station Villatobas (Province of Toledo, Toledo) *** 3rd Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 3) radar station at Air Station Constantina, Seville, Constantina (Province of Seville, Seville) *** 4th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 4) radar station at Air Station Roses, Girona, Roses (Province of Girona, Girona) *** 5th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 5) radar station at Air Station Aitana (mountain), Aitana in Alcoy, Spain, Alcoy (Province of Alicante, Alicante) *** 7th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 7) radar station at Air Station Puig Major in Sóller (Balearic Islands) *** 9th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 9) radar station at Air Station Motril (Province of Granada, Granada) *** 10th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 10) radar station at Air Station A Barbanza, Barbanza in Noia (Province of A Coruña, A Coruña) *** 11th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 11) radar station at Air Station Alcalá de los Gazules (Province of Cádiz, Cádiz) *** 12th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 12) radar station at Air Station Espinosa de los Monteros (Province of Burgos, Burgos) *** 13th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 13) radar station at Air Station Sierra Espuña in Totana (Province of Murcia, Murcia) ** Air Mobility Headquarter (JMOVA) at Zaragoza Air Base ** Special Air Operations and Personnel Recovery Headquarter (JSAO & PR) ** National Component at NATO's Tactical Leadership Programme (CN - TLP) at Albacete Air Base ** National Component at the European Tactical Airlift Center (ETAC) at Zaragoza Air Base The following units are part of the General Air Command but fall operationally under the Combat Air Command: * 11th Wing and Morón Air Base Command ** 111th Squadron with Eurofighter Typhoon ** 113th Squadron with Eurofighter Typhoon (Operational Conversion Unit) ** 22nd Air Force Group Squadron with Lockheed P-3 Orion, P-3M Orion maritime patrol aircraft * 12th Wing at Torrejón Air Base ** 121st Squadron with McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, EF-18A Hornet ** 122nd Squadron with EF-18A Hornet * 14th Wing and Albacete Airport, Albacete Air Base Command ** 141st Squadron with Eurofighter Typhoon ** 142nd Squadron with Eurofighter Typhoon * 15th Wing at Zaragoza Air Base ** 151st Squadron with EF-18A Hornet ** 152nd Squadron with EF-18A Hornet ** 153rd Squadron with EF-18A Hornet * 31st Wing at Zaragoza Air Base (Air Transport) ** 311th Squadron with Airbus A400M Atlas, A400M Atlas ** 312th Squadron with A400M Atlas (C/KC-130H retired) * 35th Wing at Getafe Air Base (Air Transport) ** 351st Squadron with EADS CASA C-295, CASA C-295 ** 352nd Squadron with CASA C-295 * 37th Wing and Valladolid Airport, Villanubla Air Base Command (Air Transport) ** 371st Squadron with CASA C-212 Aviocar * 45th Air Force Group at Torrejón Air Base (VIP Transport) with Airbus A310 and Dassault Falcon 900 * 47th Mixed Air Force Group at Torrejón Air Base (Electronic Warfare) with CASA C-212 Aviocar, C-212 Aviocar and Dassault Falcon 20, Falcon 20 * 48th Wing at Cuatro Vientos Airport, Cuatro Vientos Air Base ** 402nd Squadron with Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma, SA330 Puma and Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, AS332 Super Puma helicopters ** 803rd Squadron with CASA/IPTN CN-235, CN-235D planes and Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, AS332 Super Puma helicopters (Fixed wing aircraft based at Getafe Air Base) * Parachute Sappers Squadron (EZAPAC) at Alcantarilla Air Base (Special Forces) ** Special Forces Company ** Operational Support Company ** Training Company * Air Deployment Support Squadron (EADA) (Force Protection) at Zaragoza Air Base ** Ground Defense and Combat Search and Rescue Company ** SHORAD Company ** Transport Company ** General Support Company * Second Air Deployment Support Squadron (SEADA) (Force Protection) at Morón Air Base ** Ground Defense and Combat Search and Rescue Company ** Transport Company ** General Support Company * Medical Air Evacuation Unit (UMAER) at Torrejón Air Base * Deployment Support Medical Air Unit (UMAAD-Madrid) at Torrejón Air Base * Deployment Support Medical Air Unit (UMAAD-Zaragoza) at Zaragoza Air Base * Bardenas Training Range in Bardenas RealesGeneral Air Command
The General Air Command (MAGEN) in Madrid maintains and supports the operational forces, and oversees the Air Force's training and formation units. The following units are all part of the MAGEN, but operationally many fall under the operational control of other higher commands. Therefore, the following listing separates the units of MAGEN according to the air force's operational organization. * General Air Command in Madrid ** Search and Rescue, Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) at Torrejón Air Base ** 43rd Air Force Group at Torrejón Air Base (Aerial firefighting) with Canadair CL-215 and Canadair CL-415 ** 49th Wing at the Palma de Mallorca Airport, Son San Juan Air Base (Mallorca) *** Balearic Islands Rescue Coordination Center *** 801st (Search and Rescue, SAR) Squadron with CASA/IPTN CN-235, CN-235D planes and Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, AS332 Super Puma helicopters ** Málaga Airport, Málaga Air Base and Military Airport Command of Málaga Airport ** Santiago de Compostela Airport, Santiago Military Aerodrome and Military Airport Command of Santiago de Compostela Airport, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña Airport, A Coruña, and Vigo–Peinador Airport, Vigo airports ** Military Airport Command of Melilla Airport ** Cuatro Vientos Airport, Cuatro Vientos Air Base Command ** Torrejón Air Base Command and Military Airport Command of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid-Barajas Airport ** Zaragoza Air Base Command and Military Airport Command of Zaragoza Airport, Zaragoza, Logroño–Agoncillo Airport, Logroño–Agoncillo and Huesca–Pirineos Airport, Huesca–Pirineos airports ** Getafe Air Base Command ** Tablada Air Base Command and Military Airport Command of Seville Airport, Seville and Jerez Airport, Jerez airports ** Pollença Military Aerodrome in Port de Pollença (Mallorca) ** Cartography and Photography Center (CECAF) at Cuatro Vientos Air Base *** Cartography and Photography Group **** Cartography Squadron **** Photography and Support Squadron **** Training Squadron *** Aircraft Group at Getafe Air Base **** 403rd Squadron with CASA/IPTN CN-235, CN-235 and Cessna Citation V planes **** 409th Squadron with Beechcraft King Air, C90 King Air **** Maintenance Flight ** Aerospace Observation Systems Center (CESAEROB) at Torrejón Air Base (Aerial Exploitation unit under operational control of the Chief of Defense) *** Operational Group *** Technical and Support Squadron ** Communication Group (GRUTRA) at Getafe Air Base *** 1st Communication Squadron provides C4 services to units at Getafe Air Base *** 2nd Communication Squadron provides C4 services to the air force's headquarter and the General Air Command headquarter *** 3rd Communication Flight at the Guadarrama Pass, Alto de los Leones Air Detachment *** 4th Communication Flight at the El Vedat Air Detachment *** 6th Communication Flight at the La Muela Air Detachment *** Microwave Squadron maintains the air force's Microwave transmission, Microwave Network *** Support SquadronCanary Islands Air Command
The Canary Islands Air Command (Mando Aéreo de Canarias - MACAN) is responsible for the defense of the Canary Islands and the only regional command. * Canary Islands Air Command in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) ** Canary Islands Air Command Headquarters Group in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) ** 21st Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 21) radar station in Vega de San Mateo (Gran Canaria) ** 22nd Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 22) radar station in Haría (municipality), Haría (Lanzarote) ** Lanzarote Airport, Lanzarote Military Aerodrome in San Bartolomé, Las Palmas, San Bartolomé (Lanzarote) ** 46th Wing and Gando Air Base Command (Gran Canaria) *** Warning and Control Group (GRUALERCON) **** Canary Islands Air Combat Center *** 462nd Squadron with McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Hornet fighters *** Canary Islands Rescue Coordination Center *** 802nd (Search and Rescue, SAR) Squadron with CASA/IPTN CN-235, CN-235D planes and Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, AS332 Super Puma helicoptersLogistic Support Command
The Logistic Support Command (MALOG) in Madrid manages the air force's material resources and logistical support. * Logistic Support Command in Madrid ** Logistic Support Command Staff ** Procurement Directorate (DAD) procures material and services as needed by the other MALOG directorates ** Logistic-Operational Maintenance and Support Directorate (DSO) manages the logistic support for air force units ** Engineering and Infrastructures Directorate (DIN) manages aeronautical and infrastructure engineering *** DIN Detachments in Albacete, Palma de Mallorca, Seville and Zaragoza ** Air Force Logistic Centers ** Military Aircraft Accidents Technical Investigation Commission The following units are part of the General Air Command but fall operationally under the Logistic Support Command: * Armament and Experimentation Logistics Center at Torrejón Air Base (Flight Test Center) with CASA C-101, C-101 Aviojet, CASA C-212 Aviocar, C-212 Aviocar, and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, EF-18A Hornet * Quartermaster Logistics Center (CLOIN) at Torrejón Air Base * Support Materiel Logistics Center (CLOMA) at Getafe Air Base * Communications Materiel Logistics Center (CLOTRA) at Getafe Air Base * Aerial Maintenance Center Albacete (MAESAL) at Albacete Airport, Albacete Air Base * Aerial Maintenance Center Madrid (MAESMA) at Cuatro Vientos Airport, Cuatro Vientos Air BasePersonnel Command
The Personnel Command (MAPER) in Madrid manages and controls all personnel matters, including assistance medical and educational aspects. * Personnel Command in Madrid ** Personnel Command Staff ** Planning and Organization Section, to develops the personnel doctrine and corresponding legislation. ** Air Warfare Center (CEGA) develops the military doctrine of the air force and communicates it to the personnel ** Personnel Directorate (DPE) tasked with personnel management and military recreational centers ** Education Directorate (DEN) tasked with managing the air force's educational centers ** Health Directorate (DISAN) tasked with managing health care, medical supplies and medical research *** Aerospace Medicine Instruction Center (CIMA) at Torrejón Air Base **** Military and Civil Personnel Medical Examination Section **** Physiology and Aeromedical Training Section **** Instruction and Teaching Section. **** Plans and Research Section **** Prevention and Flight Safety Section The following units are part of the General Air Command but fall operationally under the Personnel Command: * General Air Academy (AGA) at Murcia-San Javier (airport), San Javier Air Base ** 791st Squadron (Air-training Selection) with ENAER T-35 Pillán, T-35C Tamiz ** 793rd Squadron (Basic Training) with CASA C-101, C-101 Aviojet * Basic Air Academy (ABA) at León Airport, Military Aerodrome of León (Non Commissioned Officers Academy) * Aeronautical Techniques School (ESTAER) at Torrejón Air Base * Command, Control and Telecommunications Techniques School (EMACOT) at Cuatro Vientos Airport, Cuatro Vientos Air Base * Matacán Schools Group (GRUEMA) and Salamanca Airport, Matacán Air Base Command ** Training Group with CASA C-101, C-101 Aviojet and CASA/IPTN CN-235, CN-235 planes ** Support Group ** Materiel Group ** Unmanned Aerial Systems School ** Air Traffic School ** Military Transport School * Security, Defense and Support Techniques School (ETESDA) at Zaragoza Air Base * Military Parachute School at Alcantarilla Air Base * 23rd Wing at Badajoz Airport, Talavera la Real Air Base (Lead in Trainer) ** 231st Squadron with Northrop F-5, F-5M Freedom Fighter ** 233rd Squadron with General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, General Atomics MQ-9 Predator-B * 42nd Air Force Group at Villanubla Air Base (Basic Training) with Beechcraft Bonanza, F33C Bonanza * 78th Wing at Armilla Air Base (Helicopter Training) ** 781st Squadron with Sikorsky S-76 ** 782nd Squadron with Eurocopter Colibri, EC 120 ColibriEconomic Affairs Directorate
The Economic Affairs Directorate (DAE) in Madrid oversees the air force's budget and reports to the Ministry of Defense's General Directorate of Economic Affairs. * Economic Affairs Directorate in Madrid ** Economic Affairs Directorate Staff ** Accounting and Budget Sub-Directorate ** Economic Management and Contracting Sub-DirectorateSee also
*Spanish Air Force *Spanish Armed ForcesReferences
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