The Minister of Science and the Chief of the Army Staff visit the ‘Gabriel de Castilla’ Antarctic Base

The Chief of the Army Staff with the Minister and the chief of the Base

The Chief of the Army Staff with the soldiers of the Antarctic Campaign

On 2nd February, the ‘Gabriel de Castilla’ Spanish Antarctic Base (BAE) hosted the visit of the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Pedro Duque, and of the Chief of the Army Staff (JEME) Army General Francisco Javier Varela Salas.

Before visiting Deception Island–where this base operated by Army personnel is located–they had already travelled to the ‘Juan Carlos I’ Antarctic Base on Livingston Island, on board the Hesperides Oceanographic Research Vessel.

During the tour around the ‘Gabriel de Castilla’ base, they could see the facilities, as well as the activities that the soldiers and the scientists–coordinated by the Spanish Higher Council for Scientific Research–develop in this area. The Chief of the Army Staff congratulated the soldiers of this base. He highlighted ‘their hard work and the great support of our mission to the scientists in their research task.’

On this occasion, the Chief of the Army Staff was accompanied by the soldiers of the 32nd Army Antarctic Campaign, with whom he visited the most charming spots of the island. It is the second time the General visits this continent. When he was captain, he participated in the first ‘Army Antarctic Military Camp’ in 1998, as a diving specialist in the Mountain and Special Operations Military School.