This is the story of Spain's military aerobatic demonstration team, the Patrulla Águila, which is Spanish for "Eagle Patrol." The Patrulla Águila is based at Murcia–San Javier Airport (MJV), a former civilian airport located 26 miles south of Murcia on Spain's Mediterranean coast.

In 2019 the airport was closed to civilian traffic following the Región de Murcia International Airport (RMU) opening, a larger facility designed to accommodate an increase in passenger numbers.

France is home to the world's oldest military aerobatic demonstration team

The history of Air Force aerobatic demonstration teams stretches back decades, with the French Patrouille de France being formed in 1931. Popular display teams today include:

  • Acro Deltas (Sweden)
  • Asas de Portugal (Portugal)
  • Blue Angels (USA)
  • Falcons (Pakistan)
  • Golden Centennaires (Canada)
  • Kiwi Red (New Zealand)
  • Red Aces (Philippines)
  • Silver Swallows (Ireland)
  • Frecce Tricolori (Italy)
  • Patrouille de France (France)
  • Red Arrows (UK)
  • Thunderbirds (USA)

Only created in 1985, Spain's Patrulla Águila was preceded by several Spanish military display teams that included:

  • 1954 the Basic Air School of Matacán
  • 1955 the Jet Training Air School Patrol
  • 1956 the Ascua Patrol
  • 1980 the Los Llanos Air Base Patrol

The Patrulla Águila wanted to use Spanish-built aircraft

On June 4, 1985, the Spanish Air Force formed the Patrulla Águila using teachers from the country's Air Force Academy as pilots. The Patrulla Águila initially used five low-wing single-engine jet-powered advanced Casa C-101 Aviojet trainers for its display aircraft. It was important for the team to use Spanish-built aircraft for their performances.

Initial flights were a success, and a sixth aircraft was added to the team, along with smoke canisters for use during their aerial displays. A seventh aircraft was added in 1988. In honor of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the Patrulla Águila had their silver/orange color scheme - used by all Spanish training aircraft - replaced with silver, red, and yellow.

This set them apart from other Air Force trainers and is the same color scheme they use today. To celebrate The National Day of Spain on October 12, 1992, the team painted the red and yellow colors of the Spanish flag in the sky over the city of Seville.

Since its inception on June 4, 1985, the Patrulla Águila has acted as an ambassador for Spain, performing at air shows at home and abroad. Known for their formation landings, the first aerobic display by the Patrulla Águila took place in the Andalusian city of Jerez de la Frontera. A year later, the team performed internationally for the first time at the Koksijde airshow held at a Belgium Air Force base near the North Sea coastal town of Koksijde in West Flanders.

We'd love to see you on Instagram - follow us here!

Summer 2023 displays

If you want to watch the Patrulla Águila display team in action, they will perform at the following locations during the summer of 2023.

June 2023

June 11, for the Motril International Air Show, held over Playa Poniente in Motril, Granada.

June 17-18 at the Beja Airshow in Beja, Portugal.

June 21 in Alicante.

July

July 14-16 at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.

July 23 at the Festival Aéreo de Gijón, Playa San Lorenzo, Gijón.

August

No displays

September

September 2-3 at the Athens Flying Week, Tanagra Air Base, Athens, Greece.

September 17 at the Festival Aéreo de San Fernando, Camposoto Beach, Cadiz.