Margarita Robles, Air Force Lieutenant General Miguel Villarroya and Lieutenant General Fernando López del Pozo, at the ceremony held at Retamares military base.
After that, in the unit’s conference
room, Lieutenant General López del
Pozo provided an assessment of the work
carried out by the Armed Forces against
the coronavirus during the state of alarm
decreed by the Government on 14 March
and that concluded on 21 June, four
days before this recognition ceremony
was held. In his view, Operation Balmis
has been “tangible evidence of our
soldiers’ commitment to their society.
We have felt their dedication, and their
recognition has encouraged us. In the
end, it is the affection of the people what
gives us the strength to go on”.
For the Commander of the Operations
Command, one of the keys to the success
of this mission has been “the Armed
Forces’ capacity to react” to the urgent
requests for support from the population.
This response has been based “on a
short, centralized chain of command”,
created ad hoc “on an already existing
structure of permanent missions in
national territory that works in times of
peace”. López del Pozo also announced
a contingency plan to cope with a second
wave of coronavirus, if it ever occurs. “It
is nearly finished and we expect to submit
it to the Chief of Defence (CHOD) for its
promulgation in July”. In any case, “we are
ready, not from now, but since yesterday,
to intervene within a period of 24 to 48
hours after prior notice”, he added.
RESPONSIVENESS
The Chief of Defence, Air Force General
Miguel Villarroya, recalled that “the
members of the Armed Forces were the
first to intervene after the state of alarm
was declared”. “They have acted with
generosity, dedication and efficiency”,
proving to be “a highly effective instrument
in crisis management”, without negatively
impacting “their other missions: permanent
missions in national territory and our
international commitments in missions
abroad”, stated the Chief of Defence.
One day after the recognition
ceremony was held, on 26 June, the
Official Defence Gazette published the
granting of almost 150 Crosses of military,
naval and aeronautical merit with white
badge and the awarding of honourable
mentions to those participating in
Operation Balmis. In addition, there are
plans for the creation of a specific medal
for all the military personnel who have
participated in the operation.
In the view of Commander José
María Martín Corrochano, in fact, there
are “46 million soldiers”, the whole of
Spanish society, who are worthy of
being distinguished for their fight against
the coronavirus. “This experience”,
he assures, “has made us all better
people”.
J. L. Expósito
Photo: Pepe Díaz
A specific medal
will be created
to distinguish all
those who have
participated in the
operation
August 2020 Revista Española de Defensa 7