An original 72 examples of the then McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet were purchased by the Spanish Air Force, deliveries of the EF-18 (E for 'España') commencing in late 1985. These have since been augmented by 24 ex-US Navy aircraft and are deployed as far afield as the Canary Islands. The fleet has been significantly modernised and the Spanish Air Force uses the aircraft, which was also given the local designation C.15, for both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Ala 15, the wing providing the EF-18 for the Air Tattoo flying display, is stationed at Zaragoza and comprises of three individual squadrons.

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper