The Spanish Navy (Armada) Airbus H135 P3H training and support helicopter fleet has reached 1,000 flight hours as part of the 12th Squadron from the FLOAN (Navy Aircraft Fleet).
During these first 15 months, its worth highlighting the main missions conducted by the 12th SQN; namely those related to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), logistic support flights and medical evacuations (medevac) that have been carried out on board the LPD ‘Galicia’ and the auxiliary oiler and replenishment (AOR) ‘Cantabria’. In addition to familiarization drills with midshipmen at the Naval Military Academy (ENM), the selection of pilots and the first Naval Helicopter Pilot course, among others.
In these thousand flight hours and multiple training activities, the helicopters, operating as Embarked Air Units (UNAEMB), have participated with the above-mentioned ships ‘Galicia’ and ‘Cantabria’, as well as with other units (UNADEST) in Cartagena and in the Naval Military Academy of Marín (Pontevedra), respectively.
Pressurized fuel replenishment, manual folding of the main rotor blades, reinforced anti-corrosion treatment and floating system are some of the features that make this Airbus Helicopters H135 P3H so special and capable of operating on Navy ships. For all these reasons, the H135 P3H (dubbed NIVAL in the Armada) has proved to be the ideal aircraft for naval aviation training.
Currently, the 12th Squadron maintains a UNAEMB on board the ‘Cantabria’ ship with which it contributes to establishing a safe maritime environment in the Mediterranean Sea in NATO’s Operation ‘Noble Shield’. In addition other two units are deployed in the Naval Military Academy (ENM). During the first half of 2025, it is expected to receive the last two helicopters of the 7 units included in the procurement program.
For more Hlcopters Magazine breaking news, stories, images and videos visit hlcopters.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
