The ‘Canarias’ Tactical Group Deploys to the Island of ‘El Hierro’ to Support the Protection of the Territory and its Population

•  The ‘Canarias’ XVI Brigade serves as the asset integrated by the Canary Islands Command of the Spanish Army into the Land Operational Command for deployment across the Canary Archipelago in missions of presence, surveillance, and deterrence.

Until 20 May, personnel from the ‘Canarias’ Tactical Group, part of the ‘Canarias’ XVI Brigade (BRICAN XVI), will be deployed on the island of ‘El Hierro’ to conduct presence, surveillance, and deterrence patrols. These activities form part of the so-called Permanent Operations, carried out throughout the national territory under the operational control of the Commander of the Operations Command. They are one of the main contributions of the Armed Forces (FAS) to National Security, particularly in peacetime.

The primary mission of these military patrols is to ensure comprehensive security across national sovereign territory, by anticipating potential crisis situations and being able to respond swiftly to any incident or emergency. Through such actions, the Armed Forces reinforce their role as a vital instrument of the State in safeguarding everyday life, in coordination with other state institutions.

During their deployment in El Hierro, the ‘Canarias’ Tactical Group also aims to strengthen engagement with the island’s civil society, interacting with the population and demonstrating the commitment of military units to all regions of the Canary Archipelago.

The Land Operational Command

The Land Operational Command (MOT in Spanish), under the command of Lieutenant General Julio Salom Herrera, is the Armed Forces body responsible for the planning, execution, and monitoring of all such operations under the operational control of the Operations Command.

Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations are an effective tool for maintaining oversight of national sovereign territory, enabling early threat detection and facilitating a prompt and viable response to potential crises.

The Operations Command

The Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish), led by Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero Martínez, falls under the authority of the Defence Staff and is responsible for planning and conducting Permanent Operations within National Territory. These operations are designed to maintain presence, surveillance, and deterrence across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace domains.

To achieve these objectives, the MOPS has under its authority the Land (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Air (MOA), Space (MOESPA), and Cyber (MOC) Operational Commands. Additionally, the MOPS is responsible for the planning, execution, and monitoring of all missions and operations—whether under the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, other international coalitions, or bilateral frameworks—in which Spain is involved. Currently, more than 3,000 Spanish military personnel are deployed on such missions.