Every operation the Spanish Army Airmobile Force has flown
Most of these were relief, peacekeeping and coalition missions rather than wars; the heaviest loss in FAMET’s history, 17 soldiers killed when a Cougar crashed in western Afghanistan on 16 August 2005, came on one of them. Where a consolidated sortie or loss figure exists in the official record it is given here; where accounts disagree, the range is shown and the disagreement named. Blank cells are blank because no figure could be verified, not because the fighting was small.
From the Spanish Sahara in 1971 to NATO’s eastern flank in Slovakia today.
| Conflict | Years | Against | Main aircraft | Sorties | Aircraft lost | |
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| Spanish SaharaUHEL II at El AaiúnUHEL II (Unidad de Helicópteros II) | 1971–1975 | Polisario Front (from 1973) | UH-1H (HU-10), OH-58A Kiowa, Alouette III | |||
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Transport, patrol, liaison, observation, artillery fire adjustment, fire support and medical evacuation for the Sahara garrison. The Sahara was FAMET’s first operation and the only one it flew in a Spanish colony. UHEL II was formed at El Aaiún on 24 March 1971 and received 12 new UH-1H; Spanish Wikipedia says they sailed south in the carrier Dédalo in December 1971. The Army’s summary describes four years of transport, patrol, liaison, observation, artillery adjustment and fire support from the base Santiago at El Aaiún, working with the VII Bandera of the Legion at Smara, and many medical evacuations for the local population. Spanish Wikipedia adds that six UH-1Hs were sent to Tifariti after a post was attacked on 18 December 1974, that three armed Kiowas and three Alouette IIIs with AS.11 missiles arrived in 1975, and that two UH-1Hs evaded an SA-7 missile on 13 May 1975. In November 1975 Morocco’s Green March and the Madrid Accords with Morocco and Mauritania ended Spanish rule. Morocco claimed the territory on the basis of historical ties; the Polisario Front and Algeria backed independence, and the UN did not recognise the Accords as transferring sovereignty (English Wikipedia). Outcome Spain withdrew under the Madrid Accords of 14 November 1975; the last UHEL II helicopters left El Aaiún on 19 December 1975. The SA-7 attack, the Tifariti deployment and the Kiowa and Alouette numbers come from Spanish Wikipedia only; the Army’s summary does not mention them, and the sources do not name who fired the missile.
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| Operation Alfa-KiloKurdish relief, northern IraqFAMET helicopter unit with Agrupación Táctica Alcalá | 1991 | UH-1H (HU-10), CH-47 (HT-17) | 0 | |||
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Air mobility, tactical and logistic transport and medical evacuation for the Kurdish refugee relief operation. In April 1991, after the Gulf War, Spain sent a tactical group to Zakho to help Kurdish refugees who had fled into the mountains. FAMET’s part was five Hueys and two Chinooks. The Army’s summary lists air mobility for the tactical units, transport, medical evacuation and support for building camps and setting up a field hospital, and more than 550 flying hours. The Army calls it the beginning of its helicopters’ almost uninterrupted presence in multinational operations. Outcome Refugee camps built and supplied; the start of FAMET’s continuous presence abroad.
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| Operation Charlie-Sierra (SFOR)Bosnia-HerzegovinaSPAHEL | 1997–2005 | UH-1H (HU-10), AS332B1 Super Puma (HU-21) | 0 | |||
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Air mobility for SFOR manoeuvre units, tactical and logistic transport and medical evacuation. For eight years the Spanish helicopter detachment SPAHEL flew for NATO’s Stabilisation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in 22 rotations drawn from every FAMET unit. Hueys and Super Pumas carried troops and supplies and flew casualty evacuation over the mountains. The Army counts 4,674 flying hours. From 2007 to 2008 the ALTUHEL detachment returned under EUFOR Althea, based at Mostar with Bo 105s and a Huey medevac element, and flew more than 940 hours. Outcome Handed over as SFOR gave way to EUFOR; FAMET returned in 2007–2008 under EUFOR Althea.
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| Albania and KosovoOperation Alfa-Romeo and Operation Sierra-Kilo (KFOR)FAMET detachments; KSPUHEL and KSPAHEL | 1999–2010 | CH-47 (HT-17), UH-1H (HU-10), AS332B1 Super Puma (HU-21) | 0 | |||
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Refugee support in Albania in 1999; then tactical and logistic transport, training, medevac and command flights for KFOR. FAMET did not fly in NATO’s air campaign of March–June 1999. From April to July 1999 it sent Chinooks to Tirana as part of a 264-strong Spanish humanitarian force that ran a refugee camp and helped repatriate Kosovars. With KFOR it then deployed KSPUHEL I with four Hueys and KSPAHEL I with two Super Pumas, working with the Spanish base at Istok under the Italian-led Western Brigade; the Army counts more than 800 flying hours. Outcome The Albania refugee camp was handed to NGOs in July 1999; Spain completed its Kosovo withdrawal in September 2009. The Army’s Albania summary, as read, says the helicopter unit was made up of 17 Chinooks, which may be a slip for the designation HT.17; Spanish Wikipedia says two CH-47Ds went to Albania. The number is left open.
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| Operation India-MikeMozambique floodsFAMET (one Cougar in a joint helicopter detachment) | 2000 | AS532 Cougar (HU-21L) | 0 | |||
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Initial support for the Spanish medical unit and delivery of emergency food aid. After the floods of early 2000 one Cougar joined a Spanish joint helicopter detachment in Mozambique. The Army notes it was the first time a FAMET helicopter was flown out by strategic airlift, in an An-124. A humanitarian operation, listed here because the Army counts it among its missions abroad. Outcome Humanitarian relief completed.
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| Operation Lima-DeltaOperation Enduring Freedom, ManasKIRSPAHEL | 2002–2003 | AS332B1 Super Puma (HU-21) | 300 | 0 | ||
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Combat search and rescue and helicopter transport for coalition air units. From April 2002 to April 2003 two Super Pumas at Manas, near Bishkek, stood CSAR alert for coalition aircraft flying over Afghanistan and moved people for the air units based there. The Army stresses the mountains and weather of the region. Three rotations flew 450 hours in 300 missions. Outcome Completed April 2003.
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| Operation Romeo-SierraPerejil IslandFAMET (Cougar and Bo 105 crews) with the Spanish special forces | 2002 | Morocco (no fighting) | AS532 Cougar, Bo 105 GSH, UH-1H | 0 | ||
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Helicopter assault landing of Spanish special forces on the islet, which Moroccan personnel had occupied on 11 July 2002. In July 2002 Moroccan personnel landed on Perejil, a tiny islet off Ceuta. Morocco said the aim was to monitor illegal immigration and fight drug smugglers; Spain’s prime minister, José María Aznar, said Spain would not accept a fait accompli. Four Cougars flew from Facinas and landed 28 commandos of the special operations group (GOE), according to English Wikipedia; Spanish Wikipedia adds a Bo 105 GSH and three armed Hueys as cover. The Moroccans surrendered without resistance. American mediation restored the status quo. Outcome The island was retaken without a shot; after US mediation both sides withdrew and the islet remains unoccupied and claimed by both. English Wikipedia dates the landing to the morning of 18 July 2002, Spanish Wikipedia to 17 July.
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| Operation India-FoxtrotPlus Ultra brigade, DiwaniyaISPUHEL I–III | 2003–2004 | AS332B1 Super Puma (HU-21), AS532 Cougar (HU-21L) | 0 | |||
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Medical evacuation, air reconnaissance, tactical and logistic transport and VIP flights for the Spanish-led Plus Ultra brigade. Two Super Pumas and two Cougars flew from Diwaniya in three rotations between August 2003 and May 2004, over an area stretching from the Saudi border through Najaf and Diwaniya provinces. The Army notes the threat from infrared-guided missiles, RPGs and small-arms fire, and more than 1,100 flying hours. Outcome Withdrawn with the Spanish contingent in 2004.
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| Operation Romeo-Alfa (ISAF)ASPUHEL, Herat and Qala-i-NawASPUHEL | 2004–2013 | Taliban insurgency | AS532 Cougar (HU-21L), CH-47D Chinook, Tigre | 1 | ||
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Tactical and logistic transport, reconnaissance, medical evacuation and, in 2013, escort of the withdrawal. FAMET’s longest mission began in September 2004 with four Cougars at Kabul airport. When Spain took over the reconstruction team in Badghis province in 2005 the helicopters moved to Herat, flying to the PRT base at Qala-i-Naw. On 16 August 2005 one of the Cougars crashed and all 17 soldiers aboard died; FAMET’s own mission summary does not mention it. From November 2007 three Chinooks replaced the Cougars, with flare dispensers and door guns, and Cougars returned in 2012. In 2013 Tigres flew convoy escort and support for the transport helicopters as Spanish troops withdrew from Qala-i-Naw to Herat. The last aircraft left in December 2013 after 20 rotations. Outcome Withdrawn in December 2013 after Spain handed over Badghis. The cause of the 2005 crash was not established in the sources reached for this page; Spanish Wikipedia places it in Badghis province. Whether the 2013 Tigres were HAP or HAD versions differs between English Wikipedia (HAD) and a specialist blog (HAP).
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| Operation Libre-Hidalgo (UNIFIL)LISPUHEL, MarjayounLISPUHEL | 2007–2013 | AS332B1 Super Puma (HU-21), UH-1H (HU-10) | 0 | |||
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Air reconnaissance, medical evacuation, personnel and VIP transport for the Spanish-led eastern brigade. After UN Security Council resolution 1701 of August 2006 Spain sent about 1,100 troops to UNIFIL. From July 2007 two helicopters, Super Pumas or Hueys, flew from Marjayoun for the Spanish-commanded East Multinational Brigade. The Army counts more than 2,000 hours in ten rotations. The Super Pumas wore white UN colours. Outcome Ended 2013.
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| Operation Inherent ResolveTask Force ToroTask Force Toro | 2018–2024 | CH-47D Chinook (HT-17), AS532 Cougar (HT-27) | 0 | |||
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Air transport of coalition personnel and cargo and support for NATO Mission Iraq. Task Force Toro deployed on 18 June 2018 with two Cougars and three Chinooks at Camp Taji near Baghdad, integrated with US forces. It moved to Al Asad on 1 August 2020; by late 2020 the Chinooks had gone home for conversion to CH-47F and three Cougars remained. The Army credits the task force with more than 7,000 flying hours, much of it on night-vision goggles. Outcome Listed by the Army as ending in 2024.
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| EUTM MaliMASPUHEL, BamakoMASPUHEL | 2021–2022 | NH90 (HT.29) | 0 | |||
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Intra-theatre air transport and medical evacuation for the EU training mission. The NH90’s first operation abroad. Three NH90s and 62 people deployed to Camp Senou at Bamako airport on 22 June 2021 to carry EUTM personnel and fly medevac, which the Army says cut the risk and travel time for advisory teams spread across the country. They came home on 17 September 2022. Outcome Repatriated on 17 September 2022.
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| NATO eastern flank, SlovakiaUHEL SVK, MalackyUHEL SVK | 2025– | Tigre HAD-E, NH90 | 0 | |||
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Helicopter support to the multinational brigade in Slovakia under NATO’s eastern-flank posture. A deterrence deployment, not combat. Since late May 2025 about 40 FAMET personnel with two Tigres and an NH90 have flown from the Slovak air base at Malacky for the multinational brigade in Slovakia, which Spain has led since 1 July 2024, according to a specialist blog. The Army’s FAMET page also mentions the Slovakia deployment. Outcome Ongoing in 2026. Detail from a secondary source.
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Nothing matches that search.
Every figure, checked
- Ejército de Tierra: FAMET unit pageCreated in 1965 as a light aviation unit of the Brunete Armoured Division; base at Los Remedios established 29 June 1966; commanded by a brigadier general; battalions and locations; list of missions abroad.
- Ejército de Tierra: FAMET, Misiones en el exteriorOfficial list of FAMET operations abroad, 1971–2024, each with a PDF summary.
- FAMET mission summary: Sahara (Aaiún) 1971–1975UHEL II with 12 HU-10 at base Santiago, El Aaiún; missions; last aircraft left 19 December 1975.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Alfa-Kilo (Kurdistan) 1991Five HU-10 and two HT-17 at Zakho with Agrupación Táctica Alcalá; more than 550 flying hours.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Charlie-Sierra (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 1997–2005SPAHEL, 22 rotations of HU-10 and HU-21, 4,674 flying hours for SFOR.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Alfa-Romeo (Albania) 1999April–July 1999; Chinook unit at Tirana; 264 Spanish personnel in all.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Sierra-Kilo (Kosovo) 2000–2010KSPUHEL with four HU-10 and KSPAHEL with two HU-21; more than 800 flying hours.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation India-Mike (Mozambique) 2000One HU-21L Cougar, flown out in an An-124; flood relief.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Lima-Delta (Kyrgyzstan) 2002–2003Two HU-21 at Manas for CSAR; 450 hours in 300 missions; three rotations.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation India-Foxtrot (Iraq) 2003–2004Two HU-21 and two HU-21L at Diwaniya; more than 1,100 flying hours.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Romeo-Alfa (Afghanistan) 2004–2013ASPUHEL from September 2004, 20 rotations; Kabul then Herat; Cougar, Chinook, Tigre; withdrawal December 2013.
- FAMET mission summary: EUFOR Althea (Bosnia-Herzegovina) 2007–2008ALTUHEL with HR-15 Bölkow and a HU-10 MEDEVAC element at Mostar; more than 940 hours.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Libre-Hidalgo (Lebanon) 2007–2013LISPUHEL with two HU-21 or HU-10 at Marjayoun from July 2007; more than 2,000 hours in 10 rotations.
- FAMET mission summary: EUTM Mali 2021–2022MASPUHEL with three NH90 and 62 personnel at Bamako, 22 June 2021 to 17 September 2022.
- FAMET mission summary: Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq)Task Force Toro from 18 June 2018: two HT-27 and three HT-17 at Taji, moved to Al Asad on 1 August 2020; more than 7,000 hours.
- Aeronaves Militares Españolas: EC-665 Tigre FAMETSpecialist blog (secondary): 6 HAP and 18 HAD; HAP withdrawn about 2021; Afghanistan 2013; Mk III agreement and 1,185 million euro cost.
- Aeronaves Militares Españolas: AS332 Super Puma FAMETSpecialist blog (secondary): 18 bought including 2 VIP, 16 in service, from 1987; support to Ceuta, Melilla and the peñones.
- Aeronaves Militares Españolas: Las FAMET en EslovaquiaSpecialist blog (secondary): UHEL SVK at Malacky from late May 2025 with Tigre and NH90; 1,000 hours by 1 May 2026.
Figures verified 2026-09-30. Back to the Spanish Army Airmobile Force.