Crew change at the Spanish Air Force Detachment in Sigonella
Last days, after four months of operation and 46 missions accomplished, the second Spanish Air Force “Grappa” contingent has concluded its assignment to EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia 
handing over to an entirely new Spanish crew for CN-235 VIGMA D-4 aircraft based in Sigonella.
The 38 members of the Spanish Detachment were awarded with the Operation Sophia service medal in recognition of their commitment and professionalism in 364 flying hours, which contributed, along with other air and naval assets, to the successful rescue of more than 11,000 migrants in the central Mediterranean Sea.
Col. Jose Garcia, Chief of the Spanish Air Force Air Combat Command Logistics Branch, chairing the handover ceremony highlighted the great contribution and the excellent results obtained by the leaving contingent, encouraging the new crew to continue on the same path.
The third Spanish contingent “Grappa” and its CN-235 VIGMA D-4 will continue carrying out Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over international waters close to Libyan coastline, in order to build up pieces of information necessary to contribute to disrupt the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Mediterranean.
At the moment EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia Task Force can count on 5 ships (1 Italian aircraft carrier, 1 German auxiliary ship, 1 UK hydrographic ship, 1 Spanish frigate, 1 German frigate), 3 organic helicopters (2 Italian, 1 Spanish) and 4 air assets(Luxembourg, Spain, France, Portugal).