Talavera la Real Air Base near Badajoz is the center of the Spanish Air Force advanced flight training. Talavera La Real is the home to Ala 23 or the 23rd Wing and was founded in December 1953 although the school of instructors was founded one year later. Throughout its history the Wing operated the Lockheed T-33, North American F-86 Sabre and the Northrop F-5 and has successfully completed more than 125 courses, in which over 2000 students have graduated from the training course. In March 1987, the School of Instructors was renamed to Ala 23.

The squadron operates the Northrop developed SF-5M Freedom Fighter and has been operating this type for over 50 years. Currently Ala 23 has nineteen operational SF-5M trainers in its operational inventory exceeding the 125.000 flight hours limit in 2002 and currently the squadron logs close to168.000 hours.