SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Jan. 6 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Chief of the Canary Islands Command of the Army Julio Salom highlighted this Saturday, in the traditional speech celebrating ‘Military Easter’, the intense international activity of the Canary Islands troops.
Thus, he recalled, for example, the return of the contingent deployed in Iraq that included members of the Ceuta Command and the Helicopter Unit (based in Los Rodeos), who carried out their work “in difficult circumstances.”
However, the 50th Canary Islands Regiment continues to be deployed in Baghdad with advisory activities to the Iraqi army and months after celebrating its 450th anniversary.
Salom also made reference to the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (RAAA 94, based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) and the rest of the artillery of the Canary Islands Command that has moved its personnel to Estonia and Latvia and Turkey.
Regarding the Naval Command of the Canary Islands and its Maritime Action Vessels (BAM), he gave value to the more than 500 days at sea and their contribution to Permanent Surveillance and Deterrence Operations.
In this sense, he highlighted how the ‘BAM Tornado’ has traveled along the western coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea for almost four months, contributing to the European Union’s ‘Coordinated Maritime Presences’ initiative.
Together with the BAM Relámpago they have participated in operations against illicit trafficking, collaborating with the National Police and the Civil Guard.
From the Air and Space Army, he highlighted that they have guaranteed the security of the sovereign airspace in the Canary Islands and the air search and rescue coverage in the more than one and a half million square kilometers of their area of responsibility, plus the logistical support provided from Gando Air Base.
Regarding the missions abroad carried out by aircraft and personnel of the Canary Islands Air Command, the Peacekeeping Operations in Air Police missions in the Baltic Countries, Romania and Bulgaria and in the Horn of Africa, Senegal, Iraq and Jordan stood out.
Likewise, the activity of the Canary Islands Air Command influenced the presence of the Parachuting Acrobatic Patrol and the Águila Patrol with their air displays in Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
General Salom took advantage of his speech to review the international conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and point out that “the significant challenges for peace and stability” demonstrate the need for Spain to have Armed Forces with a “high degree of preparation, readiness and availability”.
In his speech he has not forgotten the fires in La Palma and Tenerife last summer and “how the capabilities of the UME and the State Security Forces and Bodies were tested” and how the entire society “came together “to mitigate the tragedy.
Thus he narrated how the Army in the Canary Islands responded with the capabilities that were required, as did the UME, the Air Force and the Civil Guard to the point that they received the ‘Cabezón de Añavingo’ award, an example of commitment to defense. of the Canarian biodiversity.
RECOGNITION FOR THE TENERIFE FIRES
The general recalled the act of recognition of those involved in extinguishing the fire in Tenerife, which was presided over by the Kings of Spain, who highlighted their “closeness” and “the warmth and affection” with which they were welcomed in Arafo. and in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Regarding the global migration crisis, he highlighted the infrastructure made available to the Ministry of Migration in the old ‘Las Raíces’ barracks, in La Laguna, and the ‘Teniente Coronel Valenzuela’ Barracks in Fuerteventura.
He also highlighted how the Civil Guard has reinforced its presence, both on the coasts of departure on the African continent and in the areas of arrival in the Canary Islands, and how it has ensured the constitutional mandate of protecting the free exercise of the rights and freedoms of citizens. .
Regarding the immediate future, the materialization of a new force model and the increase in units deployed in Eastern Europe stood out, whose most important milestone will be the deployment in Hungary and Slovakia led by the Spanish Rapid Deployment Army Corps.
In this sense, he highlighted how the strategic direction of the EU will lead to increasing the availability of rapid reaction units and will involve the participation of the XVI Canary Islands Brigade and the Balearic Islands and Melilla Commands in 2024.
Likewise, Salom commented on the continuity of personnel in the anti-aircraft deployment in Turkey and the deployment of part of the Tenerife 49 components in the Mali operation, led by the EU.
On the other hand, the immediate future of the Canary Islands Naval Command will be marked by the deployment of the BAM Meteoro on the western African coast and the Gulf of Guinea.
Salom’s internal objectives have been to strengthen investments in maintenance and the acquisition of spare parts, increase investments for the replacement and replacement of materials and the acquisition of new ones.
He also highlighted the improvement of infrastructure as a priority, particularly those for daily life and work.
Regarding future projects, the ‘HALCÓN’ program (Air and Space Army) stood out, aimed at replacing, within a period of two to three years, the F-18 aircraft model with the Eurofighter fighter model (Gando Air Base ) as well as the increase in transport capacity with the Army’s second logistics transport ship, ‘El Camino Español’, recently acquired and vital for logistical transport.
NEW BUILDING AT THE GENERAL GERMAN BASE
To improve the living conditions of personnel within the Bases, Barracks and Establishments of the Army, Lieutenant General Salom will face pending challenges such as the works of the Early Childhood Education Center or the construction of a new accommodation building at the Base General Alemán Ramírez of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Salom closed his speech highlighting the “sacrifice and dedication” of the islands’ military, highlighting the efforts of the Defense Delegation and Subdelegation in supporting youth who want to enter the Armed Forces.
He stressed, as a constant concern, the labor reintegration of personnel who end their commitment to the Armed Forces when they turn 45 and their interest in promoting agreements with public and business administration entities aimed at obtaining opportunities to access the world of work.
In addition, he had a special memory for veterans and retirees, paying testimony of recognition, gratitude, respect and camaraderie, to the wounded and those who have died, especially in the act of service.
Before the speech there was a military parade in the Plaza de Weyler in the capital of Tenerife and an institutional reception in the Throne Room of the Captaincy Palace where various decorations were awarded.
