The Torrejón Air Warfare School in Spain

The Torrejón Air Warfare School is a Spanish Air and Space Force unit that provides training and education in various aspects of air warfare. This school is one of the military academies in Spain today. Here are some topics that cover the main aspects of the school:

History of The Torrejón Air Warfare School

The Torrejón Air Warfare School was established in 1978 due to the reorganization of the Spanish Air and Space Force. It inherited the functions and facilities of the former Air Defense School, which was created in 1958 at Torrejón Air Base. The school’s mission is to train and update the Air and Space Force personnel in air defense, air operations, command and control, and telecommunications. The school also participates in national and international exercises and courses and cooperates with other NATO and allied air forces.

Organization

The Torrejón Air Warfare School is composed of four main sections:

• The Air Defense Section is responsible for teaching the principles and techniques of air defense and the use of the Spanish Integrated Air Defense System (SIAD). It also conducts courses on air surveillance, identification, and interception.
• The Air Operations Section is responsible for teaching the planning and execution of air operations and the use of the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Torrejón, which is co-located at the base. It also conducts courses on-air campaign design, air tasking order production, and air space management.
• The Command, Control, and Telecommunications Section teaches the concepts and systems of command and control and uses the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS). It also conducts courses on communications, information technology, and cyber defense.
• The Unmanned Aerial Systems Section is responsible for teaching the operation and employment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and using the UAS School at Matacán Air Base. It also conducts courses on UAS tactics, techniques, and procedures and UAS integration in air operations.

Facilities at The Torrejón Air Warfare School

The Torrejón Air Warfare School has several facilities and equipment to support its training and education activities, such as:

• The Air Defense Simulator is a computer-based system that simulates the SIAD and the CAOC Torrejón, allowing the students to practice air defense scenarios in a realistic environment.
• The Air Operations Simulator is a computer-based system that simulates the ACCS and the CAOC Torrejón, allowing the students to practice air operations scenarios in a realistic environment.
• The Command and Control Laboratory is a facility that provides the students with access to various command and control systems and networks, such as the ACCS, the NATO Secret Network (NSN), and the NATO Unclassified Network (NUCNET).
• The Telecommunications Laboratory is a facility that provides the students with access to various telecommunications systems and equipment, such as radios, antennas, and encryption devices.
• The UAS Simulator is a computer-based system that simulates the operation and employment of UAS, allowing the students to practice UAS scenarios in a realistic environment.

Admission Process Into The Torrejón Air Warfare School

The admission process for the Torrejón Air Warfare School varies depending on the type and level of the course. In general, the applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a member of the Spanish Air and Space Force or another NATO or allied air force.
• Have the appropriate rank, specialty, and experience for the course.
• Have a satisfactory performance and conduct record.
• Have sufficient English proficiency (at least STANAG 6001 level 2).
• Pass the selection tests and interviews.

The school’s staff conducts the selection process, in coordination with the General Air Command and the Air and Space Force Personnel Directorate. The applicants are evaluated based on their academic background, professional skills, motivation, and potential.

Courses Offered at The Torrejón Air Warfare School

The Torrejón Air Warfare School offers various courses for the Air and Space Force personnel, as well as for other national and international military and civilian entities. Some of the courses are:

• The Air Defense Course is a course that covers the fundamentals of air defense, such as air surveillance, identification, interception, and engagement. It also covers the use of the SIAD and the CAOC Torrejón, as well as the NATO and Spanish air defense doctrines and procedures.
• The Air Operations Course is a course that covers the fundamentals of air operations, such as air campaign design, air tasking order production, and air space management. It also covers the use of the ACCS and the CAOC Torrejón, as well as the NATO and Spanish air operations doctrines and procedures.
• The Command and Control Course is a course that covers the fundamentals of command and control, such as command and control systems, networks, and architectures. It also covers the use of the ACCS and the CAOC Torrejón, as well as the NATO and Spanish command and control doctrines and procedures.
• The Telecommunications Course is a course that covers the fundamentals of telecommunications, such as communications systems, equipment, and protocols. It also covers the use of the NSN and the NUCNET, as well as the NATO and Spanish telecommunications doctrines and procedures.
• The UAS Course is a course that covers the fundamentals of UAS, such as UAS types, capabilities, and limitations. It also covers the use of the UAS School at Matacán Air Base and the NATO and Spanish UAS doctrines and procedures.

Current Ranking

The Torrejón Air Warfare School does not have a specific ranking among other military schools, as it is not a degree-granting institution. However, the school is recognized as one of the leading centers of excellence in air warfare education and training in Europe and NATO. The school is accredited by the NATO Military Training and Education Programme (MTEP) and the European Air Group (EAG) as a provider of high-quality courses in various domains of air warfare. The school also maintains close relations and exchanges with other prestigious air warfare schools and colleges worldwide.

Achievements and contributions to the Spanish military

The Torrejón Air Warfare School has achieved many accomplishments and contributions to the Spanish military and the NATO alliance, such as:

• Since its inception, it has provided more than 40,000 hours of instruction and training to more than 12,000 students from 28 countries.
• Developing and implementing innovative and relevant curricula and methodologies that reflect the current and future challenges and opportunities of air warfare.
• Supporting the operational readiness and interoperability of the Spanish Air and Space Force and its allies through realistic and demanding exercises and simulations.
• Contributing to developing and disseminating air warfare doctrine, concepts, and best practices at the national and international level.
• Fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and cooperation among the air warfare community.

Alumni

The alumni of the Torrejón Air Warfare School are a diverse and distinguished group of air warriors who have served or are serving in various positions and roles in the Spanish Air and Space Force and other NATO and allied air forces. Some of the notable alumni include:

• General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial, the current Spanish Air and Space Force Chief of Staff.
• General Francisco Javier García Arnaiz, the former Chief of Staff of the Spanish Air and Space Force and the current Director General of the European Union Military Staff.
• General Rubén Carlos García Servert, the former Commander of the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón and the current Commander of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.
• General Fernando de la Cruz Caravaca is the former commander of the Spanish Air Combat Command and the current deputy commander of the NATO Allied Air Command.
• General Miguel Ángel Villarroya Vilalta, the former Chief of the Defence Staff of Spain and the former Spanish Air and Space Force Commander.

References

¹: Torrejón Air Base – Wikipedia ²: Allied Air Command | Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón – NATO ³: Structure of the Spanish Air and Space Force – Wikipedia