After a very long period of uncertainty (starting in February 2017), finally some information about a possible visit to Rota during the celebration of 100 years of Spanish Naval Aviation (Centenario de la Aviación Naval Española) came early September 2017. Based on information gathered over the phone, both in English and via a translator, we decided to limit the group size to 5. Four of these 5 gathered at Düsseldorf on Wednesday 13 September for the flight to Málaga. After arrival there we headed for Morón de la Frontera, hoping to catch some late afternoon/early evening sorties. Unfortunately the base was quiet and we decided to collect some wrecks & relics before and while heading to the hotel. The weather was perfect, so we ended up eating and drinking in the open air in the evening.
On Thursday (14 September) a photo opportunity was organised at Rota in the afternoon. Having applied for that only on 12 September we did not get a confirmation but we were hoping for the best. The morning started by driving back to Morón. We positioned ourselves on the North side of the base, only the see Typhoons taking off towards us and USMC Harriers from us. It worked out in the end when, after capturing a USMC C-12, we saw a formation of two Typhoons and two AV-8Bs heading for the runway we were positioned for. Two more Typhoons landed before the Guardia Civil showed up, telling us that we needed to be at least 500 metres from the fence. Since we were done here anyway and there not was enough time to head for Sevilla we decided to go to Rota. At the gate we met about a busload of other people that had sent their details for the photo opportunity that afternoon. Luckily two guys that couldn’t join us, since we had to limit the group size, ended up here as well after all! Access was granted and we ended up enjoying a very good visit! The Spanish hosts were very relaxed and very cooperative. For the celebrations a small static was set up and quite a large number of their choppers were present. We said goodbye to our hosts, knowing that we would be OK to visit on Friday as well!
Friday 15 September was the day of the official celebrations. King Felipe VI of Spain was expected, as well as the Spanish Minister of Defence. But, despite these guests, we were welcome as well. We ended up near the location where the official celebrations would take place. Four Harriers (operating from Juan Carlos I, the amphibious assault ship of the Spanish Navy) performed a missing man formation. This was followed by a fly past of six Harriers, three Citations and several choppers of all helicopter types the Spanish Navy operates. After the ceremony there was some time to visit the static display. After that we were asked to leave again. Yet again, the hosts were very relaxed and cooperative. By then we also knew we could come back on Saturday as well. After leaving Rota we drove to Sevilla. We ended up near the Airbus 400 plant late in the afternoon and didn’t expect much relevant traffic anymore. We were therefore surprised that the first French Air Force A330, still in primer and marked MRTT041, visited!
On Saturday 16 September we checked out of our hotel in the morning and headed for the main gate at Rota again. There, we boarded the bus again and we were brought to the beach. A huge number of people were already there for the public air show. We were surprised to find out that our hosts had arranged part of the beach to stay clear for photographers. This resulted in a very relaxed day on the beach with an interesting air show as entertainment. Although mostly backlit, the show provided a number of interesting opportunities for photography. The carrier, Juan Carlos I, was present off the coast and we could see the Harriers take off and land from that. Several choppers showed people being dropped in the water, some of them being picked up again. Impressive was the display of two Harriers that were hovering quite close to the beach and the water. The show ended with a performance of Patrulla Águila, with the crowds going crazy (something they had been doing the entire show). After the show we were brought back to the gate of the air base again and we thanked our hosts for their hospitality! We drove back to Málaga in the afternoon, visiting Gibraltar briefly along the way, were we checked in at the last hotel for the short tour. Feeling very happy about the outcome of the tour we flew back to Düsseldorf on Sunday (17 September).
