Philip VImoved again today to Valencia meet the soldiers participating in the operation to alleviate the consequences of DANA. On this occasion, the only political authority who accompanied him was the Minister of Defense, Margaret Robles. Together with her and after a first meeting with the men in uniform at the “Jaime I” base in the city of Bétera, the King made it known that “There is no greater satisfaction than seeing that you are helping people”.
In a brief appearance before the media, the monarch, as Captain General of the Armed Forceswanted to highlight the behavior and “citizens’ gratitude” towards the military and what they are doing” sometimes too beyond their possibilities, day and night, 24 hours a day and in response to all unexpected needs or adapting to every phase of the emergency.
He also wanted to clarify the “complexity” of the ongoing mission, “because this It was unprecedentedOf course, despite everything, he emphasized it “The spirit and morale of the military are very high“, underlining that “this is an unprecedented operation on the national territory with the use of a force of this magnitude.”
His speech concluded by claiming the team spirit and camaraderie of all those involved in these tasks (military, police, civil guard, volunteers…): ““Shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow and hand to hand, but all with the same heart.”
During their visit they were accompanied, among other military commanders, by the head of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), Lieutenant General Javier Marcoswho as responsible for the military operation explained to them how the missions of the men in uniform are progressing, which has already been done in the past day 29 They work tirelessly in the affected areas. Del first 250 UME soldiers that were deployed as the spearhead were passed on to those around them 8,500 that exist today.
This new visit of the King to Valencia it started in base “Jaime I” where is the operational command centerfrom where all military aid is managed and coordinated according to requests from beyond 70 locations affected.
There are currently some involved in these operations 8,445 soldiers (Some 4,200 from the Army, 2,103 from the UME, 1,057 from the Navy, 900 from the Air Force and 195 from the Royal Guard), most act directly on the ground, while the rest is supported by headquarters or logistics units.
Furthermore, in this deployment to deal with the consequences of the DANA They have numerous specialized means: with 1,790 vehicles intervention and transport, 12 helicopters, 105 machines for engineers, 32 drones, 38 ambulancesHim Amphibious Assault Ship (BAA) “Galizia”los Minesweepers ”Sella” and “Duero”., 18 boats, 19 search dogs, 17 teams heavy vehicles water and mud extraction Yes 190 light multimedia equipment, including 91 fire engines and 99 motor pumps.
The Kings will return to Valencia
This stop in Valencia has nothing to do with his previous visit to DANA ground zero eight days ago with Queen Letizia, the President of the Government Pedro Sánchez and the Regional President Carlos Mazón. First of all, the Head of State limits his trip to a meeting with the military who are deployed in the area assistance in cleaning and emergency activities. Dressed in a military uniform, the monarch confirmed that both he and the Queen will return to the area next week, however, he gave no details on when this will happen. Of course, the monarch, in a statement to the media, made this clear Visits to the Valencian Community will be “constant” because – both he and the Queen – want to be present in all the places affected by the catastrophe, yes, “taking into account the circumstances we are experiencing”.
Not in vain, from the beginning of the tragedy, both the Head of State and his wife were very attentive to the evolution of the situation. Just two days after the devastating DANA strike in the country, the Head of State, Felipe VI, he ordered his Royal Guard to make themselves available to the Government to assist in the rescue efforts of the affected populations. A contingent of 195 soldiers went to the site and are dedicated to helping the population, in particular in cleaning and sanitizing the streets, as well as removing personal effects from homes and garages and strengthening security.
Upon learning of the devastating effects of the catastrophe, the kings were “desolate”. They quickly cleared their agenda and, at all times, held talks with state, regional and local authorities to inform themselves about the evolution of the catastrophe.
Furthermore, last week both met with economic and social operators to find out how they are helping people who lost everything due to the flood. In one of these meetings, Queen Letizia assured that help to those affected “must be constant and prolonged over time”. On the other hand, the Queen, aware of the impact of her clothing, today chose to wear earrings “made in Valencia” in support of the companies affected by DANA.
Time.news Interview: Commitment and Courage in Times of Crisis
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to Time.news. Today, we are honored to have with us a distinguished expert in emergency management, Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos, the head of the Military Emergency Unit (UME). Thank you for joining us, General.
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: Thank you for having me. It’s a privilege to discuss our efforts during this challenging time.
Interviewer: Just today, King Philip VI visited Valencia to meet with the soldiers involved in the operations responding to DANA. How significant is the King’s presence to the morale of the troops on the ground?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: The King’s presence undoubtedly boosts morale. When our soldiers see that the highest authority in the land stands shoulder to shoulder with them, it reinforces their sense of duty and purpose. His words—“There’s no greater satisfaction than helping people”—really resonate with our men and women in uniform.
Interviewer: The King mentioned the “complexity” of the mission and how it’s unprecedented in Spain’s history. Can you elaborate on some of the unique challenges your teams are facing during this operation?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: Absolutely. This operation is unlike anything we’ve encountered before. The scale of destruction and the number of affected areas—over 70 locations—have required a rapid and adaptable response. We’re not just managing logistics; we’re coordinating a massive deployment of over 8,400 soldiers, each trained for different emergencies, while also ensuring their safety and well-being.
Interviewer: The figures you mentioned are staggering. With 8,445 soldiers deployed and extensive resources, how is the operational coordination maintained in such a chaotic environment?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: Coordination is key. All operations are managed from the “Jaime I” base in Bétera, which acts as our operational command center. From there, we can monitor real-time data and adapt our response based on incoming requests. Communication among military branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, and the UME—is crucial to ensure all units work effectively together.
Interviewer: You’ve highlighted teamwork, with individuals from various sectors coming together. How do you foster this spirit among such diverse groups during a crisis?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: It truly is a team effort. We promote a culture of camaraderie—what the King referred to as “shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, and hand to hand.” Regular debriefings and maintaining open lines of communication allow us to build trust among our members, each of whom brings distinct skills and perspectives.
Interviewer: The resources described are quite impressive. Can you share some notable operations that have been carried out so far?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: Certainly. We’ve completed over 1,140 missions, including extensive sludge cleaning and the installation of temporary bridges in three municipalities. We’ve also provided critical supplies—like over 200,000 liters of bottled water and tons of food products. These efforts are absolutely vital to the affected communities.
Interviewer: It sounds incredibly impactful. With such a massive undertaking, how do you ensure the mental health of the soldiers involved, especially when working in distressing conditions?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: Mental health is a top priority. We have psychologists and psychiatrists available to support our personnel. The emotional toll of these operations cannot be underestimated, and we make sure that our soldiers have access to the resources they need to cope with stress and trauma.
Interviewer: what message would you like to convey to the people of Spain and those affected by this crisis?
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: To the people affected, we are here for you; your resilience inspires us. To the public, your gratitude towards our military personnel fuels our determination. We stand united and committed to restoring hope and safety in the communities impacted by DANA. Together, we will overcome this challenge.
Interviewer: Thank you, General Marcos, for your insights and for the incredible work you and your team are doing. It’s inspiring to see such dedication in action.
Lt. Gen. Javier Marcos: Thank you. It’s an honor to serve, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our mission with you and your readers.
