Julio Salom contemplates the susceptibility to “tragedies” and emphasises the “challenging moments” left by the ‘Atlantic route’
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 6th Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Chief of the Canary Islands Command of the Army, Julio Salom, on Monday advocated for the role of the Army in the reconstruction efforts in Valencia following the impact of DANA and in providing assistance to the migrants arriving in the Canary Islands, a “humanitarian crisis” that appears to show no signs of “abating.”
In his customary address during the ‘Military Easter’, he recollected the 216 victims identified in Valencia, Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, a situation that prompts one to “ponder” the extent of society’s vulnerability “to such tragedies” and how one must “be ready to reduce risks.”
“Our compassion and solidarity with the victims, our aspiration for swift and effective reconstruction, as well as our esteem and admiration for our colleagues currently deployed, of whom there are far more than 8,000 military personnel,” he stressed.
Concerning immigration, he commended the advancements achieved in infrastructure and management coordination mechanisms, which have facilitated appropriate reception and referral of immigrants.
“Notwithstanding this, difficult times have been endured once more, due to the hazards of lengthy voyages, unpredictable seas, and inadequate means of navigation, with the most tragic incident unfortunately occurring on 28th September near Restinga Herreña, culminating in 9 fatalities and a significant number of missing migrants. Similarly, we have faced calamities in Ceuta, Lanzarote and Alborán,” he noted.
He also underscored the efforts in surveillance and rescue operations and in bolstering investigative measures “against clandestine networks extorting emigrants, both within national territory and in the countries of origin, transit and departure.”
Salom additionally referenced the relocation of the old Las Raíces Barracks in La Laguna for the reception of migrants, the transfer of land at the Majorero Barracks Teniente Coronel Valenzuela to the Ministry of the Interior for the establishment of a Foreigners Internment Centre, and the sale of the El Cristo Barracks in La Laguna for social and health purposes.
On the international front, he highlighted the increasing conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, and Sudan: “We are again confronted with a reality that overwhelms us and demonstrates that Spain must maintain Armed Forces with a level of preparation, readiness, and availability commensurate with the persistent risks and threats, aligning with our strategic position and the interests we are obliged to defend. Our readiness, adequate provision of equipment, along with the modernisation of tactics, techniques, and procedures, are the only means to address any crisis.”
Specifically regarding the Canary Islands Command, he remarked that it has sustained an average daily deployment of 90 soldiers engaged in non-permanent activities, alongside nearly another hundred consistently at detachments in Chafarinas, Alhucemas, and Vélez, as well as the island of Alborán.
In terms of contingents for the year 2024, General Salom explicitly mentioned the return of the displaced personnel to Iraq, under the command of Commander Alejandre, and to the group formed by the Tenerife 49 Regiment, replaced by another from the General Command of Melilla.
MISSION IN LEBANON
In a similar vein, the General referred to the preparation of the contingent for the UN Mission in Lebanon, deployed from the ‘Canary Islands’ Brigade under General Esteban’s command, expected to embark next May, “under more favourable, albeit demanding, conditions due to the ongoing regional instability”.
He also lauded the efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Bruís at the helm of the NASSAM systems, which support anti-aircraft defence in Estonia, based on the 94th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, with “a model projection and withdrawal integrated into the NATO anti-missile defence system.”
In this context, he highlighted the success in preparing this contingent owing to “preliminary and daily efforts on national soil, working hand in hand, with our counterparts from the Air and Space Army from the Gando Alert and Control Centre.”
The General briefly reviewed the performance of the units involved in cooperative security operations with countries such as Senegal, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Benin.
Among these, he particularly valued the activities conducted in Mauritania by the Canary Islands Regiment 50 in the Sahara Desert, and the deployment in Benin, which represents a new scenario of significant importance for Spain, namely the Gulf of Guinea.
He also stressed the significance of the necessary infrastructure for life and training in the Canary Islands, such as the Support Units for the projection of the non-capital islands that have facilitated presence missions, aiding over 2,000 in the past 12 months, or the manoeuvre fields, like Pájara in Fuerteventura, which have enabled the practice of crucial tactics and procedures for enhanced operational readiness.
General Salom emphasised the activity of the Canary Islands Naval Command throughout 2024, with its Maritime Action Vessels conducting ‘State Action at Sea’, safeguarding national maritime interests.
In this regard, he highlighted the ‘African Deployment’, which ventured along the western coast of Africa and into the Gulf of Guinea, thus aiding in the freedom of navigation and the control against illegal fishing.
With respect to the nearly 2,000 airmen comprising the Canary Islands Air Command, he relayed how they have uninterruptedly completed their missions assigned to the Air and Space Army in the Canary Islands, “which involves ensuring the security of our sovereign airspace, evidenced by monitoring and controlling nearly a million traces detected during this period”.
RESCUE MISSIONS
They have also engaged in air search and rescue operations across more than one and a half million square kilometres of their area of responsibility, which has included 24 rescue missions, in support of SASEMAR.
Additionally, logistics support has been extended to other armed forces, the National Police, and the Civil Guard, from Gando Air Base, the Lanzarote Military Aerodrome, and the Tenerife Air Sector.
The General did not overlook the role of aircraft and personnel from the Canary Islands Air Command in peacekeeping operations (Air Police in the Baltic nations, Romania, and Bulgaria), as well as anti-piracy operations (conducted in the waters of the Horn of Africa from Djibouti) and support for the International Security and Defence Organisations stationed in Senegal.
Moreover, in terms of training and instruction, he briefly discussed participation in various exercises, with the “highlight” being the SIRIO 2024 exercise, primarily held in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, which was attended by Felipe VI.
Regarding the Military Emergency Unit (UME), he illustrated all the activities undertaken in the archipelago, including its military contributions to the National Civil Protection System and its “commendable” involvement in Valencia.
Looking towards the future, he elaborated on the deployment of the XVI Canary Brigade in Lebanon, the acquisition of three AB212+ helicopters for the Los Rodeos Battalion, collaboration with the Isaac Peral Submarine, and the international exercises OCEANSKY 2025 and CANASAR in Mogán (Gran Canaria), alongside the deployment of the Eurofighters at the Gando Base.
