Dédalo 24 Task Force: Showcasing Spanish Naval Power in Vigo
The Spanish Navy's “Dédalo 24” Task Force took the Port of Vigo by storm, giving the public the chance to visit the ships that make it up and learn about their mission. On their last day in Vigo, it was also possible to watch an amphibious assault demonstration on Samil Beach.
From July 10 to 12, the Task Force “Dédalo 24” was docked at the Cruise Terminal in the Port of Vigo. This Task Force is made up of the aircraft carrier “Juan Carlos I”, the amphibious assault ship “Galicia” and the frigate “Blas de Lezo”. During these days, the ships were open to the public and allowed visitors to learn about their missions, capabilities and the types of vehicles they carry.
The “Dédalo 24” Task Force was returning to the Rota Naval Base in Cadiz, after spending three months in various parts of the world, where it operated with units from 28 of NATO's 32 member states, taking part in joint activities with two allied aircraft carrier groups and four amphibious groups. Coming from the Baltic Sea, where it took part in the Baltops-24 naval exercises alongside 9,000 soldiers from 19 allied countries, the group demonstrated its defense and deterrence capabilities in the Euro-Atlantic area.
Unfortunately, we only had the chance to go on Friday the 12th and were only able to visit the amphibious assault ship “Galicia”. Although we did get the chance to see the aircraft carrier “Juan Carlos I” setting out towards Samil Beach for the afternoon demonstration.
The main role of the L-51 “Galicia” amphibious assault ship is to deploy Marine Forces, operate amphibious vessels from its dock and helicopters from its flight deck, thus carrying out amphibious missions in any conflict zone or place where some kind of natural disaster has occurred. As a floating hospital, they can also provide all kinds of medical and surgical support.
It is a ship with a displacement of 13,000 tons, a length of 160 m and a bow height of 23 m. It has hangar capacity for 4 heavy helicopters or 6 medium helicopters and allows day and night air operations, contact and instrument flight, VERTREP and HIFR, GSI and artificial horizon. It has a crew of 185 sailors and can carry up to 615 people.
It can take four LCM1-E landing craft on its dock. The helicopters that operate from this platform are the AB-212, SH-3D or the more recent H135. The number of vehicles it can transport can be between 90 and 170, depending on the type (e.g. 170 M113; 130 Pizarro or 33 M-60A3). It can also store 700 tons of material and ammunition.
In the afternoon, on Samil Beach, a demonstration of amphibious assault by the Marine Force took place, with the participation of around 500 soldiers, supported by VAMTAC ST5 4x4 vehicles, speedboats and landing craft, 1 AB212 helicopter and 2 AV8B+ Harrier planes operating from the “Juan Carlos I” aircraft carrier and a Sikorsky SH-60B operating from the “Blas de Lezo” frigate.
