Recognition ceremony at Retamares
A HEROIC PAGE
IN THE HISTORY
OF SPAIN
All the professionals who participated in Operation Balmis are being honoured
for their involvement in the fight against the pandemic
“IN the eyes of the citizens,
we have found our reward
for the help provided on the
streets. In particular, in the
eyes of the most vulnerable, who were
unable to stay in shelters because
they were overcrowded. We were
with them and prevented infections”,
said Sergeant Benjamín Díaz de la
Rosa on 25 June at Retamares military
base in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid).
He is far away from the island of Gran
Canaria where he participated in the
presence patrols organized by the
50th Regiment Canarias within the
framework of Operation Balmis. Next
to him is the Commander of the Military
Emergencies Unit (UME), José María
Martín Corrochano, who said “never did
I dream that I would live such a vital and
powerful experience”, when he took on
the responsibility for coordinating the
transfer and custody of those who died
from coronavirus in Madrid’s temporary
morgues.
The testimonies offered by these two
servicemen, along with those of other
members of the Armed Forces, were
the climax of the “closing ceremony of
Operation Balmis”, as Defence Minister
Margarita Robles defined this ceremony
of gratitude and recognition for the more
than 187,000 servicemen and women
“who so generously participated in it”.
For 98 days “we all made an extra
effort, because we knew we were doing
something good”, said Commander
Corrochano, giving voice to his comrades.
“They were where they were needed,
without asking questions”, said Margarita
Robles, visibly moved as she recalled the
support provided by the Armed Forces to
public entities and state agencies in their
fight against the pandemic.
This task, translated into figures, can
be summarized as more than 20,000
interventions in 2,300 towns and villages,
most of which were disinfections —5,300
in nursing homes—, 4,800 support
activities for hospitals, health centres
and social institutions and up to 70
flights to transfer 160 tonnes of medical
supplies from abroad and within the
national territory. “In times of peace, you
have written a heroic page in the history
of Spain”, added the Minister of Defence.
“You are silent, quiet and generous
heroes that society can count on”.
OPERATIONS COMMAND
The tribute to the men and women in
uniform that participated in Operation
Balmis was held at the Retamares
military base, as this is the headquarters
of the Joint Operations Command (MOPs
in Spanish), in charge of conducting “the
greatest military effort and deployment
carried out in times of peace in Spain”,
said its commander, Lieutenant General
Fernando López del Pozo.
The recognition ceremony began
in the outdoor courtyard of this military
facility, observing a minute’s silence in
memory of all the victims of COVID-19
—”and also for the members of our
Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence
who lost their lives”, said Margarita
Robles— with the participation of senior
officials of the Department, the Chiefs
of Staff and representatives of the land,
maritime and air component commands,
the Military Emergencies Unit and
the Inspectorate-General for Defence
Health, as well as the Royal Guard.
6 Revista Española de Defensa August 2020