The Madrid sky is filled with planes flying at a relatively low distance. And no, it is not about any military threat, but the rehearsals for the parade of the Armed Forces that will take place next Sunday, October 12 on the occasion of the National Day of the National Holiday.
The airmen are preparing for this celebration and have been rehearsing since Wednesday, October 1. They want to ensure that the air parade will be perfect, as the Air and Space Army itself pointed out in its profile on social networks. “Keep a close eye on the skies over Madrid to see your favorite aircraft,” they added on X, the old Twitter.
Variety of aircrafts
During these rehearsals, you can see the 18 formations that will participate in the parade. They have particularly highlighted six Eurofighter, which are warplanes designed for air missions; the Airbus A330, which is usually intended for civilian transport and the A400M, used in cargo and personnel transport and also in search and rescue operations.
This small preview of the exhibition brings those who look to the sky closer to the equipment of the Air and Space Army, which will be displayed in all its splendor next Sunday, October 12. In total, 45 aircraft and 29 helicopters will participate, including Air Force, Army and Navy units.
This year, the Mirlo Formation will take over from the Eagle Patrol in the closing of the parade, painting the air with the colors of the Spanish flag. They will use five Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, a model of recent incorporation in the General Air Academy.
The parade of the Armed Forces
The central act of the National Day of the National Holiday will begin on Sunday, October 12 at 11 am at the main entrance of the Botanical Garden of Madrid, with the arrival of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. Afterwards, the national flag will be raised, followed by the land and air parade of the Spanish military.
The route will be along the Paseo del Prado until reaching the Plaza de Cibeles, the Paseo de Recoletos and, finally, the Plaza de Colón. The authorities’ tribune will be located in Plaza Cánovas del Castillo, in front of the Neptuno fountain, and will be attended by King Felipe VI, Queen Leticia and Princess Leonor.
Last year, the parade of the Armed Forces attracted more than 690,000 attendees, a figure that is expected to be exceeded. In addition, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Military Emergency Unit (UME). It was formed in 2005 to intervene in emergencies and natural disasters and has since worked in all types of catastrophes, inside and outside the country.
The celebration continues
The traditional military parade is not the only event prepared for the celebration of October 12. Throughout the week, Madrid celebrates the Día de la Hispanidad, with Argentina as guest country, since, according to the Ministry of Defense, it is “a celebration of union, of twinning“. Different events and a series of free concerts will be held in different squares and streets of Madrid throughout the days.