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Spanish Navy / Armada Espanola -
Aircraft Carrier R 11 SPS Principe de Asturias |
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sorry, no insignia |
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 AV-8B Harrier II operating from SPS Principe de Asturias (R 11) - February 2007  October 2006  July 2004 May 1992  May 1992  with Hawker Siddeley AV-8S Matadors aboard - May 1992  February 1992  Four ships from three nations sail together during the NATO exercise "Display Determination '91" from front to back: the SPS Principe-de-Asturias (R11), USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS Forrestal (CV-59) and HMS Invincible (R05) - October 1991  October 1991  October 1991  May 1990 |
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Príncipe de Asturias, originally named Almirante Carrero Blanco, was
an aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Spanish Navy. She was
built in Bazan's Shipyards and delivered to the Spanish Navy on 30
May 1988. Spain has operated aircraft carriers since the 1920s, initially with the seaplane tender Dédalo and later the multi-role light carrier Dédalo, which was formerly the US Navy's World War II light carrier USS Cabot. Dédalo was replaced as the navy's fleet flagship by Príncipe de Asturias. The ship was permanently assigned to the Alpha Group, comprising the carrier and six Santa Maria-class frigates (a Spanish version of the USN Oliver Hazard Perry class). Other vessels such as logistic ships, tankers and corvettes are frequently assigned to the Group when required. Príncipe de Asturias and the Alpha Group have participated in peace support operations in the Adriatic Sea. The ship became a victim of defence cuts, being officially decommissioned on 6 February 2013. Several countries have reportedly expressed interest in buying Príncipe de Asturias before it is dismantled. Indonesia reportedly showed interest, but then decided not to buy. Unconfirmed sources also indicate the Philippines, several Arab countries, and Angola have expressed interest in purchasing the Principe de Asturias. In September 2017 it was announced that the Príncipe de Asturias was bought by a Turkish company planning to scrap the vessel. Design: The design is basically that of the initial US Navy's Sea Control Ship design of the 1970s, modified with a ski-jump ramp added to better enable V/STOL aircraft takeoff and other modifications to fit Spanish specifications. Constructed by the National Company Bazan (then Empresa Nacional Bazán, now Navantia) in their shipyard at Ferrol, Príncipe de Asturias was delivered to the Navy on 30 May 1988. The construction process had begun eleven years previously, on 29 May 1977. The processing of the steel began on 1 March 1978 and the keel was laid on 8 October 1979. On 22 May 1982, in a ceremony presided over by Juan Carlos I of Spain, the launch took place, with Queen Sofía of Spain as the ship's sponsor. The ship made her first sea trials in November 1987. The Thai warship HTMS Chakri Naruebet, delivered in 1997, is based on the Spanish ship's design. Armament: The self-defense armament includes four close defense Meroka systems and six chaff decoy launchers. For offensive weapons, the ship relies on the capabilities of her embarked aircraft. For anti-submarine defense, she relies upon the detection capacity and attacks of her ASW helicopters and accompanying frigate battle group. Aviation: The ship supports 12 AV-8B Harrier II Bravo or AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft. The Harriers are armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile and AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, in addition to GAU-12U cannon. The carrier also has facilities to support helicopters, usually 6 Sikorsky Sea King SH-3H, 4 Agusta AB-212 and 2 Sikorsky SH-3 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) helicopters. The ship supports a maximum of 29 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft with up to 12 on deck and 17 aircraft in the hangar. The hangar which measures 2,398 m2 is accessed by two flight deck lifts. The 5,100 square metres (55,000 sq ft) flight deck is 176 metres (577 ft) in length. Operating V/STOL aircraft, the carrier has the characteristic "ski-jump" (12°), with the runway sightly off the longitudinal axis, tilted portside. Withdrawal: In May 2012 rumours emerged that Príncipe de Asturias could be withdrawn from active service and placed in a state of "restrictive standby" along with two of the Santa Maria-class frigates, due to the financial pressures on the Spanish government. Annual operating costs for the carrier and its air group reached EUR 100 million. Any decision on the fate of the vessel would have to be taken at the highest possible level due to the status of the ship as the flagship of Spanish Navy. In November 2012, her decommissioning was confirmed. The official decommissioning ceremony was held on 6 February 2013. Aviation capability is being provided by the landing helicopter dock ship Spanish ship Juan Carlos I. In 2015 it was reported the ship will be sold for scrap the date for which has not been set yet. Reportedly en route to the Leyal scrapyard in Turkey for dismantling from September 2017 onwards. source: wikipedia |
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Felipe, then Prince of Asturias - now King Felipe VI of
Spain: Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y de Grecia; born 30 January 1968 is the King of Spain. In 1977, Felipe was formally created Prince of Asturias. He ascended the throne on 19 June 2014 upon the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos I. His mother is Queen Sofía, and he has two sisters, Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, and Infanta Cristina. When Spanish dictator Francisco Franco chose Juan Carlos as his successor in 1969, Felipe became second in line to the Spanish throne. In 2004, Felipe married TV news journalist Letizia Ortiz with whom he has two daughters. Sofía and Leonor, with the latter being the eldest and therefore his heir presumptive. In accordance with the Spanish Constitution, as monarch, he is head of state and commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armed Forces, and also plays a role in promoting relations with Hispanic America and the former Spanish East Indies, which are collectively called the "nations of its historical community". 
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