Spanish NH90 helicopters fly first live NATO scramble in Romania

Two NH90 helicopters belonging to Spain's Paznic tactical air detachment executed a live NATO scramble operation within Romanian airspace on June 2, 2023. This marked the initial deployment of Spanish assets participating directly in a NATO rapid response scenario. The exercise involved intercepting a simulated hostile aircraft over the Black Sea region, demonstrating enhanced operational capabilities for the alliance. Flight duration was approximately one hour and thirty minutes, with the helicopters returning to their base at Soto del Real Air Base. Representatives from NATO’s multinational Joint Task Force Tigershark were present during the event, observing the procedures.