The frigate ‘Méndez Núñez’ (F-104) has just set sail from Ferrol towards Scotland to participate in a NATO joint training exercise with military units from several nations. The ‘Joint Warrior’ exercise is organized and led by the United Kingdom.
‘Joint Warrior’ exercises are manoeuvers where units from the three Services of different allied nations participate. The F-104 is the Spanish contribution to an exercise where more than 50 naval units are scheduled to take part.
These manoeuvers contemplate a complex scenario including crisis and conflict situations, training on different fields like the fight against terrorism, cyber-attacks, protection of SLOCs, and anti-air, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare.
Personnel from the 31st Escort Squadron (F-100 frigates) have also embarked for the whole period of the deployment. The Squadron Commander, Captain Benigno González-Aller will assume command of the anti-submarine warfare element of the joint force.
Upon the conclusion of the exercise at the end of April, the F-104 will proceed towards London before arriving at her home port in Ferrol.
Frigate ‘Méndez Núñez’
The F-104 ‘Méndez Núñez’ is the fourth unit of the ‘Álvaro de Bazán’-class frigates built in Ferrol. She was launched on November 12th 2004 and commissioned on March 21st 2006.
The F-100 frigates are especially designed for anti-air warfare thanks to the excellent capabilities of their AEGIS combat system which turn these ships into state-of-the-arts naval units, and most adequate for that type of mission.
The F-100 has a complement of 200 people, all under the command of Spanish Navy Commander José Lago Ochoa.