A new contingent in the SPFR BG
By Capt Jose Antonio Latorre
Remon
First published June 13, 2003
Between the 6th - 14th May, mainly Spanish Paratroopers
and Royal Marines, travelled to BiH in order to replace their
predecessors and colleagues in Europe Base, Mostar. These
troops are part of the SFOR deployment within MNBSE as part
of the Spanish French Battle Group (SPFR BG). For 6 months,
this contingent is to be working with the French `Paras` in
the SPFR BG.
Mostar - The Spanish Infantry Colonel Salvador Terol has
commanded the SPFR BG since May 11th, a veteran parachutist
who has spent most of his military life in the Spanish Army
Parachute Brigade, situated in Alcala de Henares, a city near
Madrid. He has a lot of experience of operations within BiH,
this being his third. The first was in 1993, as part of UNPROFOR,
then again in 1999, as a member of the SFOR HQ in Sarajevo.
The Spanish contingent of the BG is made up of principally
the 1st Spanish Parachute Battalion, located in Paracuellos
de Jarama, a village near of Madrid and the Spanish Royal
Marines. The Spanish Marine Corps is the oldest in the world,
they are very experienced in stabilisation operations, especially
in BiH, but also in Albania and Iraq. Their main barracks
are in San Fernando, a town near Cádiz. Within in this
contingent there are also soldiers belonging to the Royal
Guard Regiment, the 21st and 2nd Signals Regiments and Civil
Guards.
The French contingent is mainly composed of the 1st RCP (Régiment
de Chasseurs Parachutistes), located in Pamiers. This unit
is the oldest of the famous French 'Para' Brigade with experience
in this and other theatres of operations.
The whole contingent has the same desire; to work as a cohesive
unit in order to accomplish all the tasks with the same success
that their predecessors have. To participate fully with all
the other nationalities within SFOR, so that there will be
a stable and lasting peace in this beautiful country. They
wish to thank their predecessors, the XIX Spanish Contingent
and the 19th French Mandat, for all they have done during
their tour within BiH.
Related links:
Nations of SFOR: France,
Spain
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