Inauguration of the auditorium 'capitán general cabeza de vaca' at retamares base

• The Legacy Association has donated a painting of the Spanish explorer.

The auditorium of the Retamares Base is now called 'Capitán General Cabeza de Vaca', in honour of this distinguished explorer, adventurer, entrepreneur, and with a taste for arts and literature.

The Legacy Association has delivered a painting of Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca to the Base in order to be exhibited in this auditorium. This association is dedicated to highlighting the importance of the historical and cultural contribution of Spain in the United States of America, with the aim of fostering and promoting ties between the two countries.

The presentation of the painting was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, along with the Commander of the Operations Command, Lieutenant General Francisco Braco Carbó, and the president and founder of 'The Legacy', Eva García.

As head of the Retamares Base, the Commander of the Operations Command, Lieutenant General Francisco Braco Carbó, emphasised that this base "has been able to adapt to the different missions, operational structures and organisations that the Command has deemed appropriate at each moment, showing an innovative character and a great capacity for adaptation. From its origins as the ET Medical Group ("Agrupación de Sanidad del ET", 1997), it was able to evolve to the international character provided by NATO, first as Land Component Command (1999-2009) and later as Force Command Madrid (2009-2013). It was in 2014 when EMAD promoted its use as an operational hub and in 2016 the Operations Command was definitively established, as well as the CIFAS, the Joint Special Operations Command and the Joint Cyber Defence Command.

As head of the Retamares Base, the Commander of the Operations Command, Lieutenant General Francisco Braco Carbó, emphasised that this base "has been able to adapt to the different missions, operational structures and organisations that the Command has deemed appropriate at each moment, showing an innovative character and a great capacity for adaptation. From its origins as the ET Medical Group ("Agrupación de Sanidad del ET", 1997), it was able to evolve to the international character provided by NATO, first as Land Component Command (1999-2009) and later as Force Command Madrid (2009-2013). It was in 2014 when EMAD promoted its use as an operational hub and in 2016 the Operations Command was definitively established, as well as the CIFAS, the Joint Special Operations Command and the Joint Cyber Defence Command.

"Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca combines many of the characteristics of the humanist man of the Spanish Renaissance. In his life we find the successes and misfortunes of a hero, and his stories are the first European historical source on North America".

"Thanks to 'The Legacy' for this excellent initiative in support of the Retamares Base, as well as for promoting and rigorously transmitting the rich legacy of Spain in the United States of America. "Our history would not be the same without our heroes. The world always needs more heroes," concluded the MOPS Commander.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, also thanked both the Operations Command and The Legacy Association "for their efforts to highlight the value of our history so that the Spaniards of the future know where their roots come from and thus help them to follow the path".

During the ceremony, the association presented the Honorary Member of the Year 2022 award, which went to the Deputy Director General of Publications and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Defence, Margarita García Moreno, who expressed her gratitude for this award.