AFTER ALMOST 50 years of operational service, the Spanish Air and Space Force (SASF) retired its final Lockheed P-3M Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) on December 17. The aircraft (serial P.3M-12 '22-35', c/n 5304) was the last of three Orions remaining in Spanish military service at 22 Gruppo (Group) of Ala 11 (11 Wing) before it was withdrawn from use. Spain retired its first P-3M on January 20, 2021, followed by the second on April 25, 2022. The third and last aircraft to be withdrawn from use completed the fleet's final flight at Moron de la Frontera Air Base in Seville during a retirement ceremony, which was attended by the SASF's Chief of Staff, Gen Javier Salto Martinez-Avial.
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