Volcano and virus were the most repeated words during the first speech on the occasion of the celebration of the Military Easter What Head of the Canary Islands Command of the recently appointed Alejandro Escámez Fernández. A simple and sober but exciting act marked by sanitary restrictions as a result of a Covid-19 pandemic that does not finish happening. The Palm and the aforementioned volcano, “the mists that have darkened the horizon last year”, have had a prominent place in the message of the Major General, who has represented King Felipe VI.
The central courtyard of Palace of the Captaincy General of the Canary Islands, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has hosted the solemn military act with which the military year begins. In it, a balance is made of what happened and the challenges to be faced in the most immediate future are outlined. General Escámez, in addition to referring to the fight against the virus and the effects of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, has specially remembered the Spanish military abroad. In this sense, it has made reference to the participation of the Units of the three Commands located in the Islands in some of the International Missions with which Spain is committed with special relevance that of the Canary Brigade in Lebanon. The Chief of Command in the autonomous community considers that the Army should continue in 2022 with its process of structural changes and on the path taken towards digitization, Has stressed that “The Armed Forces are another part of society”.
The commemoration dates back to the 18th century, specifically to the Reconquest of Menorca from the English on January 6, 1782. This year’s ceremony, in a new Epiphany, began with the rendering of honors to the Chief of the Canary Islands Military Command by soldiers from the 49th Tenerife Infantry Regiment of the 16th Canary Islands Brigade. Next, the representative of the King proceeded to impose the decorations of the Cross of Military Merit on eight officers and troops. An austere act, without a marching band – not even the national anthem was heard this time – except for the unmistakable sound of the trumpet. After greeting the civil and military authorities present, including the Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Tenerife, Bernardo Álvarez, General Escámez expresses his pride in representing His Majesty the King in this solemn act.
Balance of 2021
In his balance sheet for 2021 he dedicates the beginning of the speech to the emergence of the La Palma Volcano and the action of the Armed Forces, with special mention to the Emergency Military Unit (UME) based in the Canary Islands that “within the framework of the last Operation Balmis and now in the so-called Operation Baluarte have carried out and carry out different tasks to alleviate the effects of this catastrophe on the civilian population ”. It relates the epidemiological surveillance tasks in conjunction with the health system, the so-called trackers; collaboration in the Operation called Cumbre Vieja with different activities by land, sea and air, and support required in other delicate situations. It also lists “the numerous solidarity actions, of an individual nature, carried out by our professionals, with the Food Bank, with Cáritas, with other non-governmental organizations or with the most disadvantaged neighbors. Escámez mentions that “everything carried out has been shoulder to shoulder with our Civil Guard with the rest of the Security Forces and Bodies and with the essential services of our islands.”
It wasn’t all emergencies
After alluding to emergencies, his initial balance stands out the other key task of the Armed Forces: security. “Guaranteed in the air, maritime and terrestrial insular and national spaces”, he values. To this end, the FA “have continued training to be able to face, if necessary, any of the emergencies, risks or threats that are described in our recently renewed National Security Strategy.” In his breakdown of last year, General Escámez summarizes and insists that “it has not been a monograph of adverse situations, since we have continued to fulfill our essential mission, which is none other than to produce that intangible and invisible good that is the Security”. It breaks down the air, naval, land or emergency simulation exercises carried out in the surroundings of the Islands such as the Ocean Sky or the hitherto unprecedented projection to the peninsula of the Canary Brigade to participate in the largest exercise of the Army. A reference to the Civil Guard, “our Meritorious Institute, of solid and deep-rooted military nature, has continued to protect the free exercise of rights and freedoms and guarantee the citizen security of all of us who live in these Fortunate Islands.” trust, the recognition and affection of all canaries ”is shared by the Chief of the Canary Islands Command with and also achieved“ by our National, Autonomous and Local Police, essential and indispensable actors both in the daily and in the exceptional ”.
Ten great challenges
Next, General Escámez has outlined some of the challenges for the Armed Forces for 2022 “in which the Archipelago’s military garrison will also be the architect, participant or beneficiary.” He makes a literary reference: “As Don Quixote said, friend Sancho, all these storms that happen to us are signs that the weather will soon calm down.” And it lists the decalogue of the military objectives for the new year, Among them it stands out to continue in the process of Digital transformation or maintain committed international operations and deployments, “and if so it is finally decided to lead with a Spanish General the UN Mission in Lebanon and the increase of capacities in Iraq.” Other challenges are “to continue with the rigor and demand in instruction and training; maintain security in the Canarian maritime, air and land spaces and continue with the implementation of the new structure aimed at the Army 2035 project ”.
The year is also seen as a key to “Improve the infrastructures and the quality of life in the Bases and Barracks; continue adapting the professional trajectory models of the different scales and incorporate new materials and equipment to renew and modernize those that we currently have ”. In this area, “the programs leading to the acquisition of the H135 helicopters, new Eurofighters combat aircraft, the 8×8 Dragon armored aircraft, or the submarine rescue ship, as well as the entry into service of the new logistics transport ship Isabel this same anus”. Do not forget to mention “being in a position to contribute to security” of the development of the NATO Summit that will take place in June of this year in Spain. In the institutional sphere, “consolidate by the Army the Army Brand project and the figure of its brand ambassadors.” Finally, “contribute to the dissemination of the ephemeris and historical milestones such as the commemoration of the 100 years of the entry into service of the first armored units.”
The human factor
In the last block of his speech, General Escámez, stresses: “None of the achievements or any of the challenges can be carried out, without having as a center of gravity the men and women who are part of the Armed Forces and the Civil Guard, and particularly that of the Canary Islands Command ”. It highlights “their commitment, their conviction, the internalization and implementation of the values that govern our Institution.” Hence, he asked “all the components of the Canarian garrison regardless of the color of the uniform, that they continue to be exemplary in their professional and personal duties and worthy representatives of the society to which we belong and serve ”. He has congratulated the decorated, has cited the family as an essential pillar of the military, has reminded those who are no longer there and has entrusted the Virgen de la Candelaria to help alleviate the consequences of difficulties and facilitate the achievement of all the new challenges posed. The general has meant the reduction or postponement of many of the activities of a social, institutional and cultural nature, which the military usually share with fellow citizens, due to the necessary health prevention. Among them are concerts, exhibitions, seminars or Open House Days “that allow us to share with our neighbors our abilities, our historical heritage and above all our style, way of being and spirit of service.” He warns that the pandemic also prevents celebrating the traditional toast with cava or Spanish wine that used to close events of this nature. Escámez hopes that as far as possible they can recover this year that has just started. It concludes with another tradition: the “cheers” to the King and to Spain.
