The Army’s plan in the Balearic Isles

Patrols to get closer

With the aim of increasing their knowledge about the area and establishing contact with the civil authorities, they have established weekly patrols on foot and with vehicles. “This year we have focussed more on the critical points of last year’s flooding,” explains Lieutenant Rojo, chief of the vehicle patrol.

Prior knowledge of the terrain allows them to act quicker should they need to take action. Therefore, the itinerary changes for each patrol. “They contact the Guardia Civil and Municipal Police in each municipality in advance to tell them about the patrol’s presence in their district,” he says. Once they are there they speak with them again, to share knowledge about the area.

As well as the patrols on foot and the vehicle patrols, they also carry out officer patrols, in which a more specific study is made. These patrols are conducted on a monthly basis.

A day with the patrol

The Tierra team wanted to join the patrol’s vehicle convoy to see what their job is on any given day. The first stop is the village of Buñola. There they find an agent waiting for them to arrive: “They told us you would come, this type of measure is very important to improve communication,” he highlights. The route continues and the second stop is the Marrachí area. There, they discuss the situation in the area with the inspector. “When there is solidarity and coordination, the work is better,” he says. The vehicle patrols facilitate greater knowledge of the area and contact with the civilian authorities, and are also complimented by the foot patrols and the officers patrols.

Emergency Unit

With the activation of the Balearic Security Plan, they are carrying out military actions in support of the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), and establishing teams to be the first support element should they be needed and before the UME can be sent to the area. In this way, the Command establishes an emergencies unit with the aim of helping, protecting and supporting the civil population when faced with the consequences of naturally occurring catastrophes, whether they be meteorological, seismic or otherwise.

Currently, the unit is under the supervision of Captain Andújar, who commands one of the companies from the ‘Philippines’ I/47 Battalion. However, contact with the UME is essential at all times.

To facilitate this connection, a soldier serves as a link between the two. “When the emergency state has been activated, there is a constant telephone link,” says Major Campos, who currently performs this role.

The intervention is established in three teams according to priority, with the possibility of all three being activated in three, six and nine hours respectively. It ranges from initial support, to support from engineers, transportation of victims, or logistical support.