The acting Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has visited the Base 'Príncipe', in the Madrid town of Paracuellos del Jarama, to see first hand how the troops of the Paratrooper Brigade (BRIPAC).
"This is one of the most emblematic brigades of the Army, where a job is carried out in which risk is assumed, but which, at the same time, is done with a lot of professionalism," the minister said in a meeting with journalists .
"The BRIPAC have a very important projection in the most difficult and delicate operations, which shows that our Army and our Armed Forces are modern and prepared," he added.
However, Robles wanted to emphasize that the most important "are his men and women, absolutely delivered and with a very high professional level."
Ministry of Defence"They are the great capital we have," he stressed, adding that "investment in weapons programs is of little use" if you do not have motivated men and women "in the Armed Forces.
In this regard, he stressed that the Government has made an "effort" in these thirteen months to improve conditions in the Armed Forces and that "we will do everything possible and what is in our power to continue improving."
Robles has toured the base areas dedicated to training and has stopped at the Elementary Parachutist Instruction Center (CIPAE), where he has toured the static exhibition of vehicles, materials and equipment. In addition, they have shown you the jump tower and the descender.
Subsequently, the minister has moved to the Parachute Launching Company and has visited the folding room, where she has been able to check how the parachutes are maintained and set up and the material used in the unit.
During the visit, Robles has been accompanied by Secretary of State for Defense, Ángel Olivares; the chief of the General Staff of the Army, General Francisco Javier Varela Salas; and the head of the Parachute Brigade, Brigadier General Luis Sáez Rocandio; among other civil and military authorities.
Reference unit
Ministry of DefenceThe Parachute Brigade (BRIPAC) is a large unit formed, trained and equipped to be used as a Combat Brigade, in coordination with the Land Force.
It is the unit of reference for the preparation of the paratroopers and its tasks are to plan and conduct operations throughout the spectrum of the conflict; plan and conduct airborne initial entry operations by parachuting launch; plan and conduct aerial assault operations and keep their capabilities trained, among others.
BRIPAC has intervened in about 30 peacekeeping operations and in various operations aimed at humanitarian aid.
Currently, it is immersed in a process to be designated as an initial entry unit and / or immediate response in the field of the Army.