Spanish Participation in America 250 Celebrations

Spanish Participation in America 250 Celebrations

Story by Andre Ter-Hovanessian

@andrexaviation

Published by Matthew Dawson August 3rd, 2026

Photographs by Andre Ter-Hovanessian Unless stated otherwise

With it being the 250th anniversary of the United States this year, several high profile celebrations were held around July 4th and Spain had a remarkably large presence at one of these events despite strained political relations between the two governments. 

The Event 

International Naval Review (INR 250) was a week-long event leading up to and following the 4th of July that gathered ships and aircraft from across the globe in the port of New York and New Jersey. One of the pinnacle events of INR 250 was International Aerial Review which consisted of over 100 fixed and rotary wing aircraft from the United States armed forces and allied nations flying in grand formations over the Hudson River on the 4th. 

The Significance 

While most other countries sent one or two aircraft — or even a formation team — Spain astonishingly sent two EF-18A Hornets and two Eurofighter Typhoons from the Spanish Air and Space Force as well as four EAV-8B Harriers and the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I from the Spanish Navy, which were supported by two A330 MRTTs and an A400M. These aircraft were staged out of Atlantic City International Airport. 

Notably, Spanish Harriers were already in the United States for several weeks before this event as they participated in Fleet Exercise 250 and attended the sundown ceremony for the final US Marine Corps Harrier squadron, VMA-223 “Bulldogs”, which will be transitioning to the F-35B in the upcoming years. The Spanish Navy will be acquiring five of these former USMC airframes to sustain its fleet for several more years. 

Muchas Gracias — Many Thanks 

In contrast to the political climate, aviation enthusiasts were thrilled by the Spanish participation in our nation’s Independence Day celebrations and the opportunity to see the Harrier fly one last time on American soil. We can only hope that Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey was the cherry on top to the Spanish aircrew’s America 250 adventure!