Manévrový vrtulníkový prapor II [1988-2008]

In the 1970s, the situation in the Sahara was increasingly complex, with fighting over territory with Morocco and with rebel groups supported from Algiers. During this period, the immediate intervention helicopter unit was created, under Instruction No. 171/80 of 24 March 1971, under the command of Juan Bautista Sánchez Bilbao, with subordination to the Sahara Sector Command. This unit is the forerunner of today's Manoeuvre Helicopter Battalion II.
The helicopter unit had material originating from the Colmenar Viejo base, and subsequently changed its designation to Helicopter Unit II (UHEL II). Along with the material, personnel arrived in the Sahara to oversee the construction of the helicopter base. During this period, the first machines also arrive in the Sahara, from Colmenar Viejo, and pilot training courses are held at the Cuatro Vientos airfield and maintenance courses are held in the USA.
Only a few months later, the first 12 UH-1Hs are received and the first flight is made on August 2, 1971, and pilot and mechanic courses continue at Colmenar Viejo.
The unit makes its way to the Sahara and along the coast moves to its "Santiago", in the Aaiún zone where it arrives on 9.12.1971, since then this unit has carried out many different missions in the inhospitable environment of this province.
At the end of 1972, the first real combat operations take place, supporting with their fire the VII Battalion of Paratroopers in Smara and in Sdcheiria. War operations turned into a daily reality for the unit, although many times it also provided many evacuation and ambulance services.
Under Instruction No.172/192 of 20.3.1973, the Aeromobile Force of the Land Army is created, where UHEL II is incorporated, which until then had a more or less independent character. Its presence was reinforced between 1973 and 1975 with 3 new HU-10 and 3 HR-12 (Kiowa) helicopters to enable it to carry out transport, patrol and observation missions, as well as correcting artillery fire and fire support to the Polisario front. On 13.4.1974 the helicopter units were for the first time under enemy fire when they worked in support of the Territorial Police.
In connection with operations near the Moroccan border and the possibility of encounters in this zone with enemy mechanized assets, the unit was reinforced with 3 SA 319B Alouette III SUDs, equipped with first generation AS-11 missiles and 20mm cannons.
The situation worsens and for the first time the helicopters receive hits, but thankfully no one is injured. The situation worsens and on 19.12.1975 the last helicopters leave the base in Aaiún. In this province, 10,087 flight hours were carried out during 4 years of work.
The unit is transferred to Lanzarote where it boards the ship "Galicia" in the direction of Rota.
UHEL II settled in Copero(Sevilla) on 25.12.1975 at the base of UHEL IV helicopter unit IV with which it formed the helicopter grouping South. Its area of operation is as far as Vélez, Alhucemas, Chafarinas Islands and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
After a short stay at the base "Marines" on 29.8.1979, the unit relocates to the new base "Santiago" with definitive status, located in Bétera, 20 Km. From the city of Valencia. Its field of operations includes Aragon, Catalonia, Navarre, the Community of Valencia and the Balearic Islands. At this time the unit disposes with 15 HU-10, 9 HR-15 (Bo-105), 3 ALOUETTE and 3 HR-12.
In September 1980 the first HU-10 suffers its first accident and the unit has its first casualties, during a school inspection flight of sappers in the Marines Zone, Valencia. A few months later the unit has its first fatalities, on 11/11/1982, while returning to base, one HR-15 crashes and 4 crew members are killed.
In October 1982, the unit participates in the relief of the civilian population affected by the flooding in Valencia as well as other affected localities throughout the country. 165 sorties were flown between 20 and 23 October, 434 hours were flown, 1,940 people were evacuated and 183,100 Kg of cargo was moved. The same mission was carried out by the unit in November 1982 in Lleida and in November 1987 during the flooding of the Levante and Murcia.
In 1983 HR-12 and ALOUETTE III were replaced by 8 HR-15. The unit has 30 pilots and 20 specialists, the total strength is 150 men. With these assets the battalion maintained a high degree of proficiency for many years, it was able to operate companies with 5 helicopters of which 3 could always be had in the air, the battalion was able to form companies of reconnaissance, support and protection, manoeuvre and transport.
Since 1986, the battalion has been actively involved in forest fire fighting as well as in preventive actions against fires in its zones of responsibility.
In June 1988, as a consequence of the restructuring of the General Reserve units, the designation as well as the structure of the unit was changed to the Battalion of Manoeuvring Helicopters nº II (BHELMA II). A very important date in the history of the battalion is April 1991, when it first began to participate in international action, namely in Operation Alpha-Kilo in Iraq with 2 HU-10s that were transferred to the conflict zone along with 5 other helicopters FAMET. In 1999, the aging HR-15s are replaced and new HU-21L (COUGAR) join the unit.
In the first days of March 2000, a cluster of helicopters is formed and sent to assist the flood-affected population in Mozambique. The grouping that was dispatched was made up of the Forward Medical Unit (EMAT), CGFMA Parachute Brigade, 803º Squadron E.A. and BHELMA II. The unit Land Army Aeromobile Force, composed of 11 men under the command of Major Emilio Méndez, was stationed there for a month until 7 April, during which time they carried out 130 flight hours, 96 operational missions, 330 evacuations, and transported 136 tons of material. All this in temperatures close to 50º C and tremendous humidity.
During this period, BHELMA II is finalizing its transformation, which was caused by the refurbishment of all its helicopters, and is ready to receive the new HU-21L equipment.
The unit is now based in Valencia - Betera and is subordinate to the command of FAMET (Land Army Aeromobile Force).





source:
www.mde.es
www.ejercito.mde.es/organizacion
Ministerio de Defensa Espaňa