This is how the Spanish Army avoids Russia’s logistical errors in Ukraine

“This was the former Recruit Training Center No. 1 (CIR). Here the half Madrid military has done, “explains the Colonel Juan Gonzalez Laa, who guides this newspaper through the different ships that make up the Aalog 11, “a unit housed in the base that performs maintenance and supply functions.” Regarding the first, the colonel refers to the work they do to maintain all kinds of material and weapons for the units: “From combat tanks, light vehicles, ambulances, weapons, transmissions… if they are not operational, if they are not maintained, then logically they don’t move And it will happen to the Russians and the Ukrainians if they don’t.” That is why it is important that everything is always ready for any mission. Hence, in this base there is an ITV that, in the morning that the ABC visit will last, will supervise 23 vehicles. “We pass more than 4,000 inspections a year of any military vehicle that circulates on the roads of Spain and that, like civilians, needs to have a valid ITV,” says the colonel.

Before entering the Basic Supply Warehouse for Foreign Operations (ABE Opex) – which, together with the ration ship and the containers, make up the supply function of the Aalog 11 –, we crossed the parade ground of the base. All the acts of the barracks are carried out here, including the tribute to the deceased unit comrades. In large letters you can read ‘The others first’: «It is the motto of the Aalog, although we assimilate it for the entire base. Represents the spirit of service of the unit itself, which is always thinking and always working and always dedicating ourselves to others. First support them, provide them with what they need, maintain their vehicles. The others – the rest of the units – first. They always come first».

Entering the ABE Opex is like entering a shopping mall. Here all the personnel leaving Spain on missions (Latvia, Lebanon, Mali, Antarctica…) are dressed, which is why there is a room with changing rooms and two coat racks. Left wing, the forest uniforms, of a dark green color; on the left, those of arid color. “We have 3,000 people stationed in the area of ​​operations. They are permanent missions, but they change every six months. Everyone is equipped here, “says the colonel.

A door between the two coat racks gives way to a huge warehouse full of boxes where vests, helmets, boots, summer and winter uniforms, tents, backpacks, knives, flashlights are kept… here you can find all the equipment you need. needs the personnel of the Armed Forces.

Vehicle and weapons workshop

The sounds of the elevators and the overhead crane are mixed with REM songs in the heavy vehicle repair shop, which in the unit considers all those that weigh more than 2,500 kilos. There are a dozen, including one from the parachute brigade and a couple of ambulances. “Here we repair breakdowns that are usually more complicated and take more time. We have a team that, if we have the spare part, goes to the units directly and fixes it. It is also in charge of chain vehicles –such as battle tanks–, because it is very difficult to bring them here”, he admits. Dimas García, head of the maintenance group. About 100 vehicles are repaired a year.

Next to the workshop is the armorywhere he Jose Cipitria Brigade account that, after a first review, the weapons that arrive are distributed among the workshop staff for a job that is carried out in a chain. If they are delicate arrangements, “the teacher” Jesus Galveza civilian who has been in the workshop for more than forty years, takes care of them.

The hall where the food rations are stored is at 20 degrees. «When we go to exercises with other countries, the Spanish food portions are reputed to be very good. Americans and Italians are amazed by our portions,” he explains. the head brigade, head of this store and ABE Opex. There are individual rations, but also collective ones, from which ten soldiers eat. The menu is extensive: Madrid stew, German sausages with tomato, chicken meatballs, Bolognese macaroni, meat cannelloni, Asturian bean stew…

There are lentils in the base dining room, where this paper’s run ends. What is the most beautiful thing about being in charge of a base like this? «The most beautiful thing and what has the most value is the staff. The staff that works here every day; whoever comes, prepares and then deploys in the area of ​​operations; the personnel who live in Madrid or outside of Madrid come every day to work for others, for the units, for Spain, for the Army…”, highlights Colonel González. And he concludes: “That’s the nicest thing about being on this base, where the staff stand out because they do their jobs perfectly. It works, gives itself and provides a very important and fundamental service for the Army’s operations, such as the logistical support of its units».

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