• Defense Year I of the new Armed Forces
  • Queen Letizia Fashion premiere with a multicolored skirt with flamenco wink on Armed Forces Day

The hustle and bustle of a Friday night that last night realized that Granada is a university city, of young people and tapas, gave way this Saturday to a sunny and silent morning. Just the song of a bird broke the tranquility of the first day of the weekend. It could be one more, but when walking through the streets, numerous flags of Spain and billboards on the sidewalks helped to predict that, in fact, it was not just any Saturday. Grenada has hosted the celebration of the Day of the Armed Forces. The city, symbol of the Reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs, home of Federico García Lorca, was yesterday also home to 3,100 soldiers who participated in the parade that commemorates their big day and their service to Spain. And the population rose to the occasion. Thousands of Grenadians filled the streets, a celebration helped by the clear day after weeks of rain.

With the fences crowded with public, which also occupied the windows of the buildings adjacent to Albert Einstein Square, the president of the Board, Juanma Moreno, was received with shouts of president, president, by the public. At that time the Spanish Television broadcast an interview with Margarita Robles, who highlighted this year's aid to Ukraine and reiterated that Spain does not have the planes requested by Zelenski.

Asked about how a change of government will influence defense investments, she said that the Executive of Pedro Sánchez will continue "as long as he is, even if it is in office, working" in the same direction that this legislature has followed. Robles, who has opted for "a good electoral result" for next July 23, also recalled that "the Armed Forces are never politicized." However, he reiterated that the war in Ukraine has shown that "our security is very vulnerable" and that is why we must continue "investing in Defense, which is investing in peace."

Marlaska and the CNI

At twelve o'clock in the morning the Kings Don Felipe and Doña Letizia arrived. Greeted by incessant cheers from the public that crowded around the royal tribune, they greeted the authorities. In addition to Minister Robles and Juanma Moreno, there was Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Secretary of State for Defense and National Intelligence Center Secretary Esperanza Casteleiro.

The parade began with the traditional parachute jump of a member of the Air and Space Force Parachute Acrobatic Patrol carrying the national flag. However, it was a historic leap, because for the first time and to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the entry of women into the Armed Forces, it was carried out by a soldier. First Corporal Carmen Gómez Hurtado, an experienced skydiver with 2,740 jumps behind her.

The last one was held on Friday on the beach of Motril, during the naval review and the dynamic exhibition. But landing correctly in the narrow roundabout of Gonzalo Gallas required a perfect technique that was celebrated with the applause of the attendees.

As every year, the King reviewed the Honors battalion of the Royal Guard, the national flag was raised and a tribute was paid to those who gave their lives for Spain. After the touch of prayer, the Eagle Patrol made a pass through the sky that gave way to the air parade of 70 aircraft followed by the land parade along a non-linear route with 1,700 meters in length. The parade was opened by the motorcycle section of the Royal Guard, followed by a motorized parade that included the participation of 150 vehicles, including tanks. Already on foot, representatives of the three armies formed in six groups paid homage to the King.

The parade ended an hour and a half later with the units mounted and new alive to the King, who took a mass bath in which popular acclamations were constant.

  • Grenade
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla
  • Fernando Grande-Marlaska
  • CNI
  • Ukraine
  • Margarita Robles

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Learn more