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Sunrise over the Atlantic brought the skies south of the Canary Islands a thrum and roar of the most advanced fighter jets engaged in simulated air battles. The Ocean Sky 2025 exercise, Spain’s biggest annual air combat training event of international air combat vehicles, is in full swing today, Saturday, October 25, drawing the attention of everyone in the area amid the most heightened tensions between Russia and the West since before the fall of the wall. This multinational air force drill reveals that Europe is getting serious about air defence and working to perfect collaboration between the air forces of 6 nations. With over 50 aircraft from six nations clashing in mock dogfights, Ocean Sky 2025 is a chance to show off cutting-edge tactics and interoperability in one of the continent’s most ambitious aerial manoeuvres. Multinational fleet takes to the Canary skies Organised by Spain’s Mando Aereo de Combate (MACOM) and led operationally from Gando Air Base with support from Lanzarote Air Base, Ocean Sky 2025 involves Spanish Air and Space Force wings 11, 12, 14, 15, 31, and 46. The exercise simulates defensive and offensive air superiority missions, pitting combined large-scale air forces against each other in realistic scenarios. Ideal weather and low civilian traffic in the Canary Islands make the archipelago a perfect proving ground for such high-stakes simulations. Joining Spanish F-18M and Eurofighter jets are allies from Germany, Greece, Portugal, India, and the United States. Aircraft to watch out for this year include Greece’s and Portugal’s F-16 C/D B50 and F-16 Fighting Falcon M, the US F-15E Strike Eagle, and India’s exotic Su-30MKI – a rare sight in European drills. Aerial refuelling is strengthened by the European Air Refuelling Training (EART) initiative, featuring MRTT, KC-767, KC-30M, A-332, and A400M tankers. Ground units like GRUALERCON, GRUCEMAC, GRUNOMAC, EADA, SEADA, GRUMOCA, CIGES, and the Guardia Real play pivotal roles in command, control, and logistics. Many, like myself, have little idea of what all those mean, but they all sound very impressive. Behind the scenes: ECAO Las Palmas orchestrates the chaos While pilots push their machines to the limit over the Atlantic, an unsung hero is there to make sure the operation runs flawlessly: the Escuadrilla de Circulación Aérea Operativa (ECAO) Las Palmas. Dubbed the “conductor of the skies”, this unit coordinates military and civilian air traffic from the Canary Air Control Center (ACC), collaborating closely with ENAIRE‘s civilian controllers. ECAO manages the reserved Delta 79 training area south of the islands, activating and deactivating sectors to allow unrestricted simulated air-to-air combats without disrupting commercial flights to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Fuerteventura. Pre-mission planning covers routes, flight levels, time slots, and emergencies, while real-time monitoring resolves issues and minimises delays. The Canary environment adds complexity with variable weather, multiple airports, and international routes, demanding elite skills in operational traffic management. Integrated with MACOM and GRUALERCON at Gando, ECAO provides a unified radar picture, turning potential risks into precise harmony. Witness on the ground, Chauhan on X says, “Ocean Sky 2025, Gran Canaria. I think these guys are having fun…” Why Ocean Sky 2025 matters for global air defence It’s a signal to be sent out. Ocean Sky 2025 isn’t just about spectacle – it’s a vital show of strength and readiness for NATO and EU allies amid rising geopolitical tensions. Recent highlights include a Spotter Day at Gando, where over 170 aviation fans captured rare shots of the fleet in action.
