The Armoured Brigade returns from Lebanon

An airport terminal is as good a place as any for a child to be born again. Happiness for this “second birth” – a gift of fate not uncommon in military families – is added to that of seeing family and friends again after the mission. Alejandro, a two-month-old baby boy sleeping in his mother’s arms, is blissfully unaware of the anxious wait of those who have gathered at Madrid Airport, Terminal 3.

On 21 November before dawn, the reception committee for contingent Libre Hidalgo XXIII is standing at the foot of the plane. At its head is the Heavy Forces commander, General Manuel Romero Carril. By his side, the acting commander of the 12th Armoured Brigade “Guadarrama”, Colonel José Mª González Casado. With them, the Brigade Staff officers, the unit commanders and high-ranking NCOs.

When the door of the plane opens they step off with a firm step, like a premier league football team – but they are in a league of their own. The first is General José Conde de Arjona, commander of the contingent. After the customary “Everything in order in the mission, my General, we are all back safe and sound”, the two generals lock in a warm and symbolic embrace which means “Welcome home”. Then the rest of the contingent comes down in silence to receive a similar welcome with contained happiness, their faces showing the weariness of the long trip from the Spanish base “Miguel de Cervantes”, in southern Lebanon.

Outside the area of restricted access, time has stopped for the families and minutes feel like hours. In the meantime, the soldiers have gone on to pick up their luggage from the conveyor belts. Each time a member of the Terminal Support Unit or airport personnel comes through the door, those waiting find it hard to hide their emotions and some start to wave personalised Spanish flags and placards showing children’s messages and drawings. A young woman with a portable speaker connected to the grid and to her mobile phone prepares the background music. “I have brought [the military march] ‘Las corsarias’ and the national anthem because they’re worth it, they’re our heroes,” she explains.

Relatives and friends waiting at the airport (Photo: BRIAC XII)

And finally, the moment they had all been awaiting arrives. They cross the threshold in small groups, and joy pours out in earnest kisses, long embraces and poignant silences. And for the fourth mission in a row – it is the fourth time the Armoured Brigade has been deployed to the Land of the Cedars –, the Mums show that their hugs and kisses can leave even the most experienced soldier feeling like a child again.

Lance Corporal Daniel Fernández Melo, stationed at the 31st Regiment “Asturias”, does not have to wait anymore to meet his first child, Alejandro. He picks the baby up with tenderness and holds him lovingly. The mother of the child and the rest of the family look on with tears in their eyes.

Finally, and just like the two previous rotational forces (which came back on 14 and 18 November respectively), the group goes to the base “El Goloso”, HQ of the Armoured Brigade, to complete the formalities of return from the area of operations. More family reunions, more displays of affection. After the handover and inventory of weapons and other sensitive items, a next task begins: That of getting used to being back home and enjoying a well-deserved vacation.

Over there, in Lebanon, the Infantry Brigade “Rey Alfonso XIII”, 2nd of the Legion, continues the mission in UNIFIL Sector East.