Lanzarote Sees Military Helicopter Activity as Super Puma Takes to the Skies
Residents and visitors in Lanzarote may have noticed an unusual sight over the island: a military Super Puma helicopter carrying out flight activity.
Photographs circulating locally on 8 October show a large camouflaged Super Puma operating in Lanzarote. The images were taken by local photographer Marco Von Der Thusen and shared by the Lanzarote-based Facebook page Isla Sin Corrupción, which described the activity as manoeuvres by the Spanish Army.
What is a Super Puma?
The aircraft is a Super Puma, a medium-sized military transport helicopter. In the Canary Islands, Super Puma helicopters are operated by the Spanish Army's Batallón de Helicópteros de Maniobra VI (BHELMA VI), based in Tenerife.
The Spanish Army confirms that BHELMA VI operates the AS 332B Super Puma, designated HU-21. The helicopter has a published payload capacity of up to 2,500 kg, can carry up to 23 passengers and has a cruising speed of around 216 km/h.
Why do military helicopters train in Lanzarote?
Military helicopter training is not unusual in the Canary Islands. Lanzarote provides varied terrain and conditions that can be useful for aircrew training, including coastal areas, volcanic landscapes and open spaces.
BHELMA VI has previously carried out significant exercises in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. During the Tindaya exercises, for example, the unit deployed six helicopters and 56 military personnel to train in the islands. The Spanish Army has also previously deployed Super Puma helicopters to Lanzarote as part of wider operational activities in the Canary Islands.
Training can include transport, reconnaissance, movement of personnel and equipment, landing procedures and other operational skills. Some exercises can also involve night flying and the use of night-vision equipment.
A familiar sight in the Canary Islands
Military helicopters have an important role beyond training. Super Puma aircraft operated by Spanish forces have been used in the Canary Islands for transport and operational missions, while Super Puma helicopters operated by the Spanish Air and Space Force's 802 Squadron are also involved in search-and-rescue work.
The 802 Squadron, based at Gando in Gran Canaria, operates Super Puma helicopters for search-and-rescue missions. These aircraft have carried out long-distance medical evacuations and maritime rescues in the Canary Islands and surrounding waters.
For visitors to Lanzarote, therefore, seeing a military helicopter is an unusual but not necessarily alarming sight. The aircraft may simply be taking part in routine training designed to keep crews prepared for a wide range of missions.
What we know about the current Lanzarote flights
The photographs currently circulating show a Super Puma undertaking flight activity on Lanzarote. Local reports describe the activity as military manoeuvres, but at the time of writing there is no detailed public official statement confirming the exact exercise name, timetable or individual training locations.
This Image is a Stock Image used for Illustration Purposes Only.
