In her speech, the Minister for Defence highlighted "the generosity and courage" of those who "enthusiastically defended peace in the world". She asked young people to feel "deeply proud" and to be aware that "life has meaning when you are able to think of others before yourself". Robles also wanted to "ask for the heartfelt forgiveness of all the families who may have felt abandoned at some point", and expressed her hope that the surrender of their loved ones "will serve as a guide, giving us the courage and morale to continue working for this Spain".
Aránzazu Magro Almodóvar, widow of Captain Javier González Hernández, on behalf of relatives of the deceased stressed that "there is no greater reward for our loved ones than the fact that we do not forget them" and that "we are and feel proud of them; of what they were, what they are, what they did", thanking the celebration of this act of remembrance of their loved ones, which contributes to "keeping them always present and that they serve as an example for all".
The Afghan ambassador to Spain, Humayoon Rasaw, wanted to express his "gratitude and thanks to the Spanish soldiers who died in Afghanistan", since his people know "the pain and loss after forty years of war and more than two million lives lost" well. As he pointed out, his country has taken "great strides in terms of democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and the press", stressing that "the presence of Spanish troops left a deep mark in Afghanistan", for which "they will always be remembered for the special ties they established with the local population, building hospitals, schools, roads and bridges for them".
Finally, he assured that "I pray for the lost heroes who were mothers, fathers, sons, brothers and wives to rest in peace", hoping that "the new times will put an end to the loss of innocent lives".
During the 20 years that our Armed Forces were deployed in Afghanistan, 102 men and women: 96 soldiers, 2 civil guards, 2 national police officers and two interpreters lost their lives defending peace and security in the world.
The event was live streamed and involved a tribute to the fallen; a floral offering by the victims' families, who placed a white rose on the cenotaph, in memory of all the deceased; and a performance of Schubert's 'Ave Maria' by Colonel Fernando Enseñat y Barea.
At the ceremony, the Minister for Defence was accompanied by numerous civilian and military authorities: the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón; the Secretary of State for Defence, Esperanza Casteleiro; the Director of the CNI, Paz Esteban; the Undersecretary of Defence, Amparo Valcarce; the Spanish Ambassador to Afghanistan, Gabriel Ferrán Calderón; the Chief of Army Staff, Army General Francisco Javier Varela Salas; the Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral General Antonio Martorell Lacave; the Chief of Air Staff, Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial; the Director General of the National Police, Francisco Pardo Piqueras; and the Deputy Director of Operations of the Guardia Civil, Lieutenant General Pablo Salas Moreno, among others.
Two decades, three missions
Spain had an important role in 'Enduring Freedom', ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and 'Resolute Support', the latter two being headed by NATO forces.
A first contingent of 350 military personnel were deployed for the first time in January 2002, after the 9-11 attack. In the ISAF mission between 2002 and 2014, the Armed Forces made various forms of contributions, which had the involvement of the two Armies as well the Navy, and which aimed to assist the Afghan interim government in maintaining security.
The Army took over, among other capacities, the Badghis Provincial Reconstruction Team, with its capital in Qala-e-Naw, made up of military and civilian personnel, through the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development.
The Navy deployed Tactical Air Control Teams (TACPs) and Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) alongside the armies, while the Air Force took command of the Forward Air Base in Herat, as well as taking over the Deployment Support Medical Unit.
The Guardia Civil, through different contingents, also "contributed to improving and normalising the functioning of the Afghan police".
In 2015, NATO's new Resolute Support mission focused on training, advising and mentoring by way of support of Afghan security institutions and the Afghan Security and Defence Forces.
In 2018, Spain adapted its contribution to this mission with the deployment of a Special Operations Force, which was withdrawn on 13 May.
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