Paratroopers Brigade "Almogávares" VI


The Paratroopers Brigade "Almogávares" VI is an Multipurpose Organic Brigade of the Spanish Army assigned to the Division "San Marcial". The brigade is named after the Almogavars, a class of light infantry soldier originating in the Crown of Aragon in the latter phase of the Reconquista. The brigade was called the Paratroopers Light Infantry Brigade "Almogávares" VI until 2015.

History

Raised in 1953 as one of the most elite units of the Army, the brigade's battalions were named Bandera as Spanish Legion personnel formed part of the brigade's first units. The unit's first combat jump took place on 25 November 1957 when 75 troopers landed in Tiliun from five Junkers Ju 52 transports during the Ifni War with Morocco. Formed as just a single battalion, it became a fully fledged brigade in 1965 with Brigadier General Julio Coloma Gallegos as its first commander.

Combat capabilities

The BRIPAC is a unit with a high degree of professionalism, morale and training, ready to deploy at any time and place.

CIMIC Capabilities (Civil-Military Cooperation)

Organisation and mission

Originally the brigade comprised the following units:
  • Brigade Headquarters
  • 3x Parachute Banderas
  • Airborne Artillery Group
  • Parachute Engineers Battalion
  • Airborne Logistics Group
  • Airborne Signals Company
During the Spanish Army's 2015 reform, the brigade was remodelled as a multipurpose brigade with the same structure and equipment as brigades "Rey Alfonso XIII" II of the Legion, "Galicia" VII, and "Canarias" XVI, with only the Bandera "Roger de Flor" I/4 unit retaining sole paratrooper status.Paratroopers Brigade "Almogávares" VI, in Paracuellos de Jarama

Training

Training prepares its members to perform the following types of missions:
  • Airborne operations
  • Airmobile operations
  • Noncombatant evacuation.
  • Operations abroad
  • Standard infantry combat operations
  • Army parachute capabilities

Courses

Continuing Education Day: Exercises of about 30 hours in order to perform a demanding and intensive instruction in all tactical positions.Alfa-Exercises: Exercises four days used to complete the instruction section and coordinate the preparation of the various units of the Company.Beta-Exercises: Exercises of varying length where the Flag type unit / group coordinates the development achieved by the Cia. and integrates as a whole unit, thus achieving the tactical capabilities needed to fulfill the tasks assigned.Bilateral Exercises: Exercises paratroopers cooperation with other countries that serve for the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences.Other Courses: In addition to the above described, the BRIPAC develops other exercises and manoeuvres with other Army units in order to unify the operating procedures of the various support units such as Practice School of Artillery, Sappers or signal corps.