Spanish Air Force Deploys Firefighting Unit to Canary Islands for Seasonal Training
The Spanish Air and Space Force’s 43rd Group has deployed to the Canary Islands for routine wildfire response training and to prepare for the upcoming centenary commemoration of the Plus Ultra flight.
A specialized unit of the Spanish Air and Space Force has arrived in the Canary Islands to prepare for the upcoming forest fire season. Two aircraft from the 43rd Group, usually based in Torrejón de Ardoz, are conducting a tactical deployment that will last until next Thursday. The mission involves 37 personnel, including pilots and technical staff, who are practicing water loading and unloading maneuvers and testing approach routes near ports to improve their response to environmental emergencies.
The Canary Islands’ emergency services (Cecoes 112) have reassured the public that the sight of these "firefighter" planes over Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife is part of a routine training program. The unit plans to complete about 40 flight hours, depending on the weather. This training is essential for maintaining the readiness of a team that provides year-round support—a vital service given the islands' history of major wildfires, such as those in Gran Canaria in 2019 and Tenerife last summer.
In addition to their training, the unit is preparing for a historical milestone. On March 17, the Air and Space Force will celebrate the centenary of the Plus Ultra flight. As part of the commemorations, the aircraft will perform a public water landing near the El Muelle shopping center in Gran Canaria, honoring the history of Spanish aviation while highlighting the unit’s ongoing commitment to public safety.