Structure of the Spanish Air Force

The article provides an overview of the entire chain of command and organization of the Spanish Air Force as of 2018 and includes all currently active units. The Spanish Air Force is commanded by the Air Force Chief of Staff or "Jefe de Estado Mayor" (JEMA) in Madrid.

The source for this article is the organization section on the website of the Spanish Air Force.

Historical background

A Government decree dated 2d October 1935 of the 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 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.[1] 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Armed Forces changes were introduced within the regional structure, following which all relevant air bases would be withdrawn from Catalonia, a former key region in the development of the Aeronáutica Militar, the Spanish Air Force in its early days.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 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 has no significant Air Force Base within its territory, it has nevertheless a very important Naval Base at Ferrol.[2]

Air Force Chief of Staff
Spanish Air Force locations 2018:
Eurofighter Typhoon EF-18A Hornet F-5M Freedom Fighter C-101 Aviojet
Helicopters other flying units (Gando Air Base to the South on Gran Canaria island)

The Air Force Chief of Staff (JEMA) commands all units of the Spanish Air Force from the headquarter in Madrid.[3]

  • 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 Madrid

Air Force Headquarters

The Air Force Headquarters manages the human and material resources necessary for the JEMA to exercise command over the Air Force.[4]

  • 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 Optrician

Combat Air Command
Spanish Air Force radar stations 2018 (+ two stations off map in the Canary Islands)
Radar station with Indra LANZA 3D
Radar station with RAT-31SL/T
Command and Control Center

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
    • 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 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 (Zaragoza)
      • 2nd Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 2) radar station at Air Station Villatobas (Toledo)
      • 3rd Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 3) radar station at Air Station Constantina (Seville)
      • 4th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 4) radar station at Air Station Roses (Girona)
      • 5th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 5) radar station at Air Station Aitana in Alcoy (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 (Granada)
      • 10th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 10) radar station at Air Station Barbanza in Noia (A Coruña)
      • 11th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 11) radar station at Air Station Alcalá de los Gazules (Cádiz)
      • 12th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 12) radar station at Air Station Espinosa de los Monteros (Burgos)
      • 13th Air Surveillance Squadron (EVA 13) radar station at Air Station Sierra Espuña in Totana (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
  • 12th Wing at Torrejón Air Base
    • 121st Squadron with EF-18A Hornet
    • 122nd Squadron with EF-18A Hornet
  • 14th Wing and 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)
  • 35th Wing at Getafe Air Base (Air Transport)
    • 351st Squadron with CASA C-295
    • 352nd Squadron with CASA C-295
  • 37th Wing and Villanubla Air Base Command (Air Transport)
  • 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 C-212 Aviocar and Falcon 20
  • 48th Wing at Cuatro Vientos 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 Reales

General 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.

Canary Islands Air Command
Canary Islands Air Command locations
EF-18A Hornet Air Base
Radar station with Indra LANZA
Radar station with Selex RAT-31SL/T
Command and Control Center

The Canary Islands Air Command (Mando Aéreo de Canarias - MACAN) is responsible for the defense of the Canary Islands and the only regional command.[5]

Logistic Support Command

The Logistic Support Command (MALOG) in Madrid manages the air force's material resources and logistical support.[6]

  • 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
    • 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 C-101 Aviojet, C-212 Aviocar, and 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 Air Base
  • Aerial Maintenance Center Madrid (MAESMA) at Cuatro Vientos Air Base

Personnel Command

The Personnel Command (MAPER) in Madrid manages and controls all personnel matters, including assistance medical and educational aspects.[7]

  • 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 San Javier Air Base
  • Basic Air Academy (ABA) at 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 Air Base
  • Matacán Schools Group (GRUEMA) and Matacán Air Base Command
    • Training Group with C-101 Aviojet and 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 Talavera la Real Air Base (Lead in Trainer)
  • 42nd Air Force Group at Villanubla Air Base (Basic Training) with F33C Bonanza
  • 78th Wing at Armilla Air Base (Helicopter Training)
    • 781st Squadron with Sikorsky S-76
    • 782nd Squadron with EC 120 Colibri

Economic 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.[8]

  • Economic Affairs Directorate in Madrid
    • Economic Affairs Directorate Staff
    • Accounting and Budget Sub-Directorate
    • Economic Management and Contracting Sub-Directorate

See also

References
  1. Ejército del Aire - 1936 Archived 2014-12-20 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Armada Española - Desplieque geográfico
  3. "Organizacion". Spanish Air Force. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  4. "Structure of the Air Staff". Spanish Air Force. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  5. "Spanish Air Force Organization". Spanish Air Force. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  6. "Structure of the Logistic Support Command". Spanish Air Force. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  7. "Structure of the Personnel Command". Spanish Air Force. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  8. "Structure of the Economic Affairs Directorate". Spanish Air Force. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
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