The UME carries
out disinfection tasks
at seaports, airports
and stations
every day.
A marine supervises
a railway station in
Moncloa Palace (official residence and
workplace of the Spanish Prime Minister).
“In these times of war or crisis, every
day is Monday”, he indicated in another
speech. “The effort does not stop. Each
day of effort results in lives being saved”.
Just like every morning since the
operation began, military personnel
leave their bases after the flag is raised.
But while some go out to do their duty
on the streets, others continue the work
in their units, attending to the tasks of
organization, coordination, logistics,
health, etc., and also looking for ways to
improve procedures in order to be more
effective every day in the fight against
COVID-19.
DISINFECTION
The cleaning and disinfection of public
spaces is one of the tasks assumed by the
Armed Forces from the very beginning.
In many parts of the country, members
of the UME, the Nuclear, Biological and
Chemical (NBC) Defence Regiment nº 1
and the NBC companies of the various
Army Brigades have already disinfected
more than 4,000 critical infrastructure and
essential service facilities. These units
have been joined by many others with the
same “rapid intervention” capability, such
as the Veterinary Services of the Royal
Guard or the Army Logistics Academy,
for example. The Armed Forces
decontaminate hospitals and health
Three weeks of struggle
Cartagena.
MARCH
>SATURDAY 14TH
•The Council of Ministers decrees a state of alarm to limit the
movement of citizens as much as possible.
•The Minister of Defence, the Government’s “delegated
competent authority”, together with the Ministers of Health,
the Interior and Transport.
>SUNDAY 15TH
•The CHOD, at the helm of the single command to coordinate
the cooperation of the Armed Forces.
•Initial planning meeting at Operations Command. Operation
Balmis is launched.
•Two military hospitals are made available and military
healthcare personnel no longer in active service are
mobilized.
•The Military Pharmacy increases the production of
disinfectant solution, paracetamol and antivirals.
>MONDAY 16TH
•Land borders are closed and only residents or victims of
force majeure will be allowed to enter.
•The Ministry of Defence offers its collaboration to assist
the homeless.
>TUESDAY 17TH
•The UME collaborates in Madrid’s suburban rail stations to
avoid crowding.
•Military deployment is extended to 28 cities with Army and
Marine troops.
16 Revista Española de Defensa April 2020
Marcial Guillén/EFE
UME (Military Emergencies Unit)