Interview with a member of the EADA

"It is tough, but you get through it, if you are a whiner this is not your place, it is a demanding unit..."

First of all, we remind you that you can participate in these interviews by accessing our Discord channel. That said, we leave you with a brief introduction of the EADA colleague we had the pleasure of interviewing, we hope you enjoy it and look forward to reading your comments.

"Good morning, I hope to answer your questions as best as possible. After leaving ETESDA, the Air Force school where you undergo general military training before going to your posting, I went straight to EADA (air deployment support squadron). That said, my arrival at the unit in 2010 was tough, like that of any recruit newly arrived at an operational unit, but it has been an honor to serve and learn alongside the people I have encountered. I have learned from everyone, fellow members of my own unit, members of other units or armies, etc. I have completed 4 deployments in Afghanistan, as a Raven (UAV) operator and assistant to the CCT (COMBAT CONTROL TEAM). This involves air traffic control at the runway, without a tower, equipped and using a radio to guide aircraft such as helicopters or planes landing on unprepared runways. My next deployment was with AMPT (AIR MOBILE PROTECTION TEAM), which is in charge of the security of Spanish aircraft when they land in unsafe areas and my last deployment in Afghanistan was with CPT (VIP ESCORTS) in this case for the colonel commanding the air detachment force.

My following deployments have been in Africa several times in Libreville and several times in Senegal, both as AMPT, the next is March 12 and in this case we are going to instruct the Senegalese special forces as CPT and so on until today.

There are many courses. The basic parachuting course is compulsory because you occupy a parachutist post and receive an allowance for it. In other words, if this scares you, this is not the place for you. Then there is the free-fall parachuting course; you probably know the differences. HALO/HAHO courses, close-protection courses and many others, such as dog-handler courses for explosives detection or combat roles."  

We will now begin with the questions proposed by the members of the Discord channel.

1- Why did you choose EADA?

I chose EADA for its proximity, and because like many of you, I have the vocation to be part of an operational unit, to reach my limit, etc. Murcia, for example, is very far for me and in some way I wanted to continue with my life as much as possible.

2-What is the initial training at EADA?

I'm not going to go into this much, it's tough, you go hungry, thirsty, and cold, you suffer and learn many things that any self-respecting soldier must know.

Whoever comes to the unit will discover it.

3-What motivates you the most every day being part of EADA?

My military career and the courses I have taken motivate me; some of them are only available to me at EADA. I want to be a good soldier and pass on what we know to the young recruits, so that we have competent people in the unit in the future.

I want to clarify something regarding courses, the only guaranteed course is static-line parachuting. After that, your posting within the squadron determines which courses you receive priority for.

4- Is it common to go out for maneuvers?

Yes, constantly, some sections more than others. If your specialty is PFA, you go on exercises a lot. We also jump in the afternoon or at night, depending on the needs of the aircraft dropping us to fulfil their PAB.

5- Is it a good posting for promotion?

That depends on you, not on the posting. For enlisted personnel, it is a good posting because a year at EADA earns more points than at other postings, alongside courses and other factors (provided you are promoted within the same rank category, for example from soldier to corporal).

If you want to be promoted to non-commissioned officer, it's up to you... I have colleagues who have achieved it while being with me in the section because they really wanted it.

6- What is a typical day like in the Unit?

Let's see, here I'm going to talk about my specific section, although almost the entire squadron works the same way.

Early morning sports (no excuses) if you are a whiner go somewhere else, then we have theoretical or practical sessions, some days there is shooting and if not, parachuting (the latter takes precedence over everything).

7- What is the perfect physical shape for the EADA?

This question... the physical condition for the EADA is like that of any soldier worth their salt, healthy and athletic, who can run, who can train, and who can carry their equipment.

8- Once you have completed the academy at ETESDA, what physical and mental requirements are there to obtain the beret?

The demand is very high, but nothing is impossible, plus this is relative.
Not everyone finds it equally difficult.

9- Does the EADA go on missions often?

It is the Air Force unit that deploys on missions most often. Right now we have personnel deployed in Lithuania, Bulgaria, Senegal, Mali in addition to training in Tunisia, Senegal, Cape Verde, although the latter is not considered a mission and usually lasts 4 weeks, missions in the EADA last 3-4 months.

10- If I want to be promoted to non-commissioned officer, do I have to leave the EADA and then re-enter after going through the training again?

That's right, if you return you must go through the training period again as a non-commissioned officer, and it is absolutely different; among other things, you are required to have leadership skills.

11- Does the EADA have JTAC members or other specialties?

EADA has two JTACs. JTAC is a qualification, not a specialty. 

12- Have you conducted joint maneuvers with SEADA and EZAPAC? How would you rate the level? They say that in EZAPAC, being open to civilian applicants, there is not as much professionalism.

This question, with all my respect, is nonsense, EZAPAC is a unit that deserves the respect it merits, when you arrive new obviously just like in any other unit you are a rookie who doesn't understand anything. But EZAPAC requires you to go through its training period based on its work and missions, don't forget that they are green berets.
I have not worked with the SEADA.

13- In the missions you have been on, which one would you say has been the most dangerous? What does it feel like mentally and physically in a situation that could end in the worst way?

Well, I'm going to answer this question briefly. There are complicated missions, such as landing on an unprepared runway in Africa and having the plane break down; the repair can take days, and in that case, you become an easy target. The work of AMPT is like that...

14- What did you feel during your first parachute jump? How often do you jump, does it still impress you?

Personally, I took in very little at first. On a static-line jump, you are barely aware of what is happening. Free-fall jumping is wonderful, but you start to enjoy it from the 3rd or 4th jump, when you are aware of what you are doing. For me, the feeling is unbeatable. Every time I see a plane, I get on board to jump.

Well, we jump almost weekly, but it's true that many jumps are canceled due to bad weather in Zaragoza; the cierzo is unforgiving. You get used to jumping, but it still impresses you.

15-What different sections does the EADA have?

Uf many... I will surely leave some out:

Security Section, NBQR, protection systems (these are the UAV operators), EOD, K9 Section, Mistral Section (anti-aircraft artillery also against UAS) they have a mechanics section, Espada Section (long-range anti-aircraft artillery) this is linked with an aerial radar section to detect the threat, vehicle section, armourers, communications, parachute-packing room (for static-line parachutes; free-fall parachutes are packed by the jumper), medical section, Loads (they prepare cargo for loading onto a plane or for airdrop, fitting the cargo with its parachutes for release from the aircraft). SMD Section, these are the ones who set up the deployment tents wherever we go...

16-What do you like the most and the least about EADA?

Personally, I enjoy jumping and being part of a precision shooting team. I also like that the unit keeps improving and learning, and the NEO missions to rescue personnel, as you saw in Kabul. We also carried out such missions in Libya and elsewhere.

What I like least is the excessive workload at times, but it is what it is.

17- Do you think that to be a CCT operator or serve in any operational section of EADA, one must dedicate all their time to it, leaving personal/social life aside if necessary?

No, it requires sacrifices, but not to the point of putting your personal life aside

18- How would you describe/rate your experience at EADA?

This is a personal opinion: for me, it has been unbeatable. I have a good military career, although others may feel differently.

19- Would you say that the EADA's equipment is outdated/obsolete compared to current military equipment?

EADA’s equipment is among the best we have in the armed forces without a doubt... when you do joint maneuvers, you realize it.

20- What do you learn on the marksman course, and is it easy to get a place?

In the Air Force, there is no such course; there is an international one or the section that is responsible for that offers a course, where you learn what is necessary to make an accurate shot... 


As I said, it is not a course, and getting a posting to the marksmen’s section is not easy. First, you have to be assigned to the security section, and then, over time, prove your shooting ability and physical fitness...

21- What advice would you give to those who want to enter EADA?

Get ready mentally and physically, it’s tough but it passes, if you are a weakling this is not your place, it is a demanding unit where everyone must complete training periods 1 and 2, the 2 takes place in the sections you are assigned to, they teach you to use the different pieces of equipment, the 2 is purely technical and only those who have passed the 1 do it, as mentioned, to enter the unit what is needed is guts.

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