Thousands of onlookers were left stunned after the Spanish Navy stormed a popular beach in Malaga. At 11am on Tuesday, troops undertook a simulated hostage operation on La Malagueta beach in front of sunbathing tourists and locals. The marine corps were joined by the Juan Carlos I and the Galicia warships, helicopters, and two Harrier jets.

The Juan Carlos I is the largest warship ever built in Spain, and the Galicia is known for its roles in international missions, such as anti-piracy and disaster relief. Dressed in combat helmets, heavy backpacks, and special goggles, and armed with assault rifles, a group of marines stormed the beach while the ships and jets provided reinforcements. 

Loudspeakers announced each step of the demonstration so as not to alarm the public further, while Kenny Loggins' Highway to the Danger Zone played in the background. 

The hostages were released after 35 minutes as audiences applauded the marines' effort, made to demonstrate the navy's capabilities. 

The Galicia was previously deployed to Iraq for humanitarian aid and to Valencia to help with relief efforts after a hurricane.

It's also an amphibious warship, which allows it "to deploy the marine corps' expeditionary force to a conflict zone or an area affected by any kind of natural disaster", the navy said.

The units that participated had just completed their deployment in Atlantic and Mediterranean waters as part of the battle group Daedalus 25.

Daedalus 25 conducted joint activities with the Spanish Army and Air Force, as well as with Portugal, France, Slovakia, Croatia, Romania and Italy.