The plaque was picked up by Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Marcos Izquierdo, head of the organization since 2023, representing the contingent deployed on the island, which has remained in different missions until December 2025. During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the UME, at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, the Commissioner stressed that “the UME has been an essential pillar not only in the emergency phase, but also in the long and complex rehabilitation process.”

The EMU is a joint force of the Spanish Armed Forces, configured to intervene quickly in the face of disasters and is composed of about 3,500 troops. On the island, he has been responsible for the cleaning of ash, the control of the affected perimeter, the accompaniment of those affected, the measurement of temperature and gases and logistical support, among other tasks.

For his part, Lieutenant Colonel Marcos Izquierdo thanked the gesture on behalf of all the troops deployed: “For the UME it has been an honor to serve the citizens of La Palma; from the first moment we understood that our mission did not end with the end of the eruption, but continued in every street, in every reopened access and in every family that needed support,” he said.

Dependent on the Ministry of Defense, the UME celebrated 20 years since its creation last year and has made more than 800 interventions in Spain and abroad. It has been consolidated as a reference model in the management and coordination of major emergencies, whose system is already replicated by other countries. In addition to La Palma, it has acted in storms, forest fires, DANAs, floods, COVID-19 and rescues of people. It stands out, above all, for its rapid deployment capacity and operational leadership, effectiveness that is based on the discipline, hierarchy and continuous training of the Armed Forces, supported by advanced technology in security and emergencies.