List of units and formations of the Spanish Army 1990

A list of units and formations of the Spanish Army in 1990 is given below.[1]

From 1958–60 the Spanish Army reorganized along "Pentomic" five-component division lines.[2] In 1965 a reorganization was undertaken that divided Spanish Army forces into Immediate Intervention (Field Army) and Operational Territorial Defence (Territorial Army) formations, adopting a structure of divisions broken down into brigades. However, from 1984 a modernization plan was underway aimed at improving the deployability of the army and updating its equipment. The Modernización del Ejército de Tierra (META) plan, as it was called, only achieved its objectives partially, yet the army was reorganized.

After the end of the Spanish Civil War, infantry regiments maintained a traditional and ceremonial identity, but were not an operational level of command. Operational command goes from brigades directly to infantry battalions, bypassing the regimental level. Spanish Army armoured units were designated "Armoured Infantry Battalions" and are considered part of the infantry.

Army General Staff

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Military Region I Central

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Military Region I Center organization (click to enlarge)
 
Coat of Arms of the Military Region I Center

The Military Region I Central (Región Militar I Centro) with its headquarters in Madrid encompassed the Community of Madrid (including the Province of Madrid) and the provinces of Ávila, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Segovia, and Toledo, all of Castilla–La Mancha as well as the provinces of Badajoz and Cáceres in Extremadura.[3]

Military Region II South

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Military Region II South organization (click to enlarge)
 
Coat of Arms of the Military Region II South

The Military Region II South (Región Militar II Sur) with its headquarters in Seville covered Andalusia (Provinces of Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, and Seville), the exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the Plazas de soberanía.[3][1]

  • Headquarters, in Seville
    • Special Operations Group "Santa Fe" II, in Granada
    • Construction Battalion II, in Seville
    • Signal Company No. 2, in Seville
  • Division Headquarters, in Granada[1][5]
    • Mechanized Infantry Brigade XXI, in Cerro Muriano
      • Mechanized Infantry Regiment "La Reina" No. 2, in Cerro Muriano
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Princesa" I/2
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Lepanto" II/2
      • Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Córdoba" No. 10, in Cerro Muriano
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Almansa" III/10
        • Armored Infantry Battalion "Málaga" IV/10
      • Field Artillery Group XXI, in Cerro Muriano
      • Engineer Battalion XXI, in Córdoba
      • Logistic Group XXI, in Cerro Muriano
    • Motorized Infantry Brigade XXII, in Jerez de la Frontera[1]
    • Motorized Infantry Brigade XXIII, in Almería[1]
      • Motorized Infantry Regiment "Aragón" No. 17, in Viator
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Nápoles" I/17
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Simancas" II/17
      • Mixed Infantry Regiment "Granada" No. 34, in Viator
      • Field Artillery Group XXIII, in Viator
      • Engineer Battalion XXIII, in Viator
      • Logistic Group XXIII, in Viator
    • Light Armored Cavalry Regiment "Sagunto" No. 7, in Seville
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 14, in Seville
      • Field Artillery Group I/14
      • Field Artillery Group II/14
    • Engineer Regiment No. 2, in Seville
    • Divisional Logistic Grouping No. 2, in Granada
    • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II, in Granada

Melilla General Command

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The Melilla General Command was headed by a two-star general and tasked with the defense of the Spanish exclave of Melilla in Africa.

Ceuta General Command

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The Ceuta General Command was headed by a two-star general and tasked with the defense of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in Africa.

Military Region III Levant

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Military Region III Levant organization (click to enlarge)

The Military Region III Levant with its headquarters in Valencia encompassed the province of Albacete of Castilla-La Mancha, and the Valencian Community (composed of the provinces of Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia), as well as the Region of Murcia and the Balearic Islands.[3][1]

  • Headquarters, in Valencia
    • Special Operations Group "Valencia" III, in Rabasa
    • Construction Battalion III, in Valencia
    • Signal Company No. 3, in Valencia
  • Division Headquarters, in Valencia[1][7]
    • Mechanized Infantry Brigade XXXI, in Castellón de la Plana[1]
      • Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Tetuán" No. 14, in Castellón de la Plana
      • Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Vizcaya" No. 21, in Bétera
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Barbastro" III/21
        • Armored Infantry Battalion "Otumba" IV/21
      • Field Artillery Group XXXI, in Paterna
      • Engineer Battalion XXXI, in Bétera
      • Logistic Group XXXI, in Bétera
    • Mechanized Infantry Brigade XXXII, in Cartagena[1][8]
      • Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Mallorca" No. 13, in Lorca
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Murcia" I/13
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "San Fernando" II/13
      • Mechanized Infantry Regiment "España" No. 18, in Cartagena
        • Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Sevilla" III/18
        • Armored Infantry Battalion "Bailén" IV/18
      • Field Artillery Group XXXII, in Murcia
      • Engineer Battalion XXXII, in Cartagena
      • Logistic Group XXXII, in Cartagena
    • Light Armored Cavalry Regiment "Lusitania" No. 8, in Marines
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 17, in Paterna
      • Field Artillery Group I/17
      • Field Artillery Group II/17
    • Engineer Regiment No. 3, in Marines
    • Divisional Logistic Grouping No. 3, in Marines
    • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group III, in Paterna

The Balearic Military Zone was headed by a two-star general and encompassed the Balearic Islands. Its three troop commands were headed by one-star generals.[1]

  • Headquarters, in Palma de Mallorca[1]
    • Palma Troops Command, in Palma de Mallorca
      • Motorized Infantry Regiment "Palma" No. 47, in Palma de Mallorca
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Filipinas" I/47
      • Mixed Artillery Regiment No. 91, in Palma de Mallorca
        • Field Artillery Group I/91
        • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/91
        • Coastal Artillery Group III/91
      • Engineer Battalion XIV, in Palma de Mallorca
    • Mahón Troops Command, in Mahón
      • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Mahón", in Mahón
      • Field Artillery Group V, in Es Mercadal
    • Ibiza Troops Command, in Ibiza
      • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Teruel", in Ibiza
      • Coastal Artillery Group VI, in San Carlos
      • Field Artillery Group VII, in Ibiza

Military Region IV Eastern Pyrenees

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Military Region IV Eastern Pyrenees organization (click to enlarge)
 
Coat of Arms of the Military Region IV Eastern Pyrenees

The Military Region IV Eastern Pyrenees (Región Militar IV Pirenaica Oriental) with its headquarters in Barcelona covered Aragon (Provinces of Huesca, Teruel, and Zaragoza) and Catalonia (Provinces of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona).[3][1]

  • Headquarters, in Barcelona[1]
    • Special Operations Group "Almogávares" IV, in Barcelona
    • Construction Battalion IV, in Barcelona
    • Signal Company No. 4, in Barcelona

Mountain Infantry Division "Urgel" No. 4

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  • Division Headquarters, in Lleida[1]
    • Mountain Hunters Brigade XLI, in Lleida[1]
      • Mountain Hunters Regiment "Arapiles" No. 62, in La Seu d'Urgell
      • Mountain Hunters Regiment "Barcelona" No. 63, in Lleida
        • Mountain Hunters Battalion "Chiclana" III/63
        • Mountain Hunters Battalion "Badajoz" IV/63
      • Mountain Field Artillery Group XLI, in San Clemente
      • Engineer Battalion XLI, in San Clemente
      • Logistic Group XLI, in San Clemente
      • Skiers Company No. 41, in Vielha
    • High Mountain Hunters Brigade XLII, in Jaca[1][9]
      • High Mountain Hunters Regiment "Galicia" No. 64, in Jaca
        • High Mountain Hunters Battalion "Pirineos" I/64
        • High Mountain Hunters Battalion "Gravelinas" II/64
      • High Mountain Hunters Regiment "Valladolid" No. 65, in Huesca
        • High Mountain Hunters Battalion "Gerona" III/65
      • Field Artillery Group XLII, in Huesca
      • Engineer Battalion XLII, in Huesca
      • Logistic Group XLII, in Huesca
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 21, in Lleida
      • Field Artillery Group I/21
      • Field Artillery Group II/21
    • Engineer Regiment No. 4, in Lleida
    • Divisional Logistic Grouping No. 4, in Lleida

Cavalry Brigade "Castillejos" II

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  • Brigade Headquarters, in Zaragoza[1]
    • Armored Cavalry Regiment "Pavía" No. 4, in Aranjuez
    • Light Armored Cavalry Regiment "Numancia" No. 9, in Zaragoza
    • Light Armored Cavalry Regiment "España" No. 11, in Zaragoza
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 20, in Zaragoza
    • Engineer Battalion II, in Zaragoza
    • Logistic Group II, in Zaragoza

Military Region V Western Pyrenees

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Military Region V Western Pyrenees organization (click to enlarge)
 
Coat of Arms of the Military Region V Western Pyrenees

The Military Region V Western Pyrenees (Región Militar V Pirenaica Occidental) with its headquarters in Burgos encompassed the provinces of the Basque Country (Álava, Biscay, Burgos and Gipuzkoa), the province of Soria in Castile and León and the regions of Cantabria, La Rioja and Navarre .[3][1]

  • Headquarters, in Burgos[1]
    • Special Operations Group "San Marcial" V, in Castrillo del Val
    • Construction Battalion V, in Castrillo del Val
    • Signal Company No. 5, in Castrillo del Val

Mountain Division "Navarra" No. 5

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  • Division Headquarters, in Pamplona[1]
    • Mountain Hunters Brigade LI, in San Sebastián[1]
      • Mountain Hunters Regiment "América" No. 66, in Pamplona
        • Mountain Hunters Battalion "Montejurra" I/66
        • Mountain Hunters Battalion "Estella" II/66
      • Mountain Hunters Regiment "Tercio Viejo de Sicilia" No. 67, in San Sebastián
        • Mountain Hunters Battalion "Legazpi" III/67
      • Field Artillery Group LI, in Logroño
      • Engineer Battalion LI, in San Sebastián
      • Logistic Group LI, in Agoncillo
      • Skiers Company No. 51, in Estella
    • Motorized Infantry Brigade LII, in Vitoria[1]
      • Mixed Infantry Regiment "Flandes" No. 30, in Vitoria
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Cuenca" I/30
        • Armored Infantry Battalion "Burgos" II/30
      • Motorized Infantry Regiment "Garellano" No. 45, in Bilbao
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Guipúzcoa" III/45
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Milan" IV/45
      • Field Artillery Group LII, in Vitoria
      • Engineer Battalion LII, in Vitoria
      • Logistic Group LII, in Araca
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 46, in Castrillo del Val
      • Field Artillery Group I/46
      • Field Artillery Group II/46
    • Engineer Regiment No. 5, in Castrillo del Val
    • Divisional Logistic Grouping No. 5, in Castrillo del Val

Military Region VI Northwest

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Military Region VI Northwest organization (click to enlarge)
 
Coat of Arms of the Military Region VI Northwest

The Military Region VI Northwest (Región Militar VI Noroeste) with its headquarters in A Coruña covered Asturias, Galicia (Provinces of A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra), and the provinces of León, Palencia, Salamanca, Valladolid, and Zamora in Castile and León.[3][1]

  • Headquarters, in A Coruña[1]
    • Special Operations Group "La Victoria" VI, in A Coruña
    • Construction Battalion VI, in A Coruña
    • Signal Company No. 6, in A Coruña

Cavalry Brigade "Jarama" I

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  • Brigade Headquarters, in Salamanca[1]
    • Light Armored Cavalry Regiment "Santiago" No. 1, in Salamanca
    • Light Armored Cavalry Regiment "Almansa" No. 5, in León
    • Armored Cavalry Regiment "Farnesio" No. 12, in Valladolid
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 41, in Segovia
    • Engineer Battalion I, in Salamanca
    • Logistic Group I, in Salamanca

Canary Military Zone

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Canary Military Zone organization (click to enlarge)

The Canary Military Zone with its headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife covered the Canary Islands (Provinces of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas). The Military Zone was headed by a three-star general and its two troop commands were headed by two-star generals.[3][1]

  • Headquarters, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife[1]
    • Canary Signal Battalion, in Santa Cruz
    • Tenerife Troops Command, in Santa Cruz[1]
      • Motorized Infantry Regiment "Tenerife" No. 49, in Santa Cruz
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion I/49
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion II/49
      • Motorized Infantry Battalion "La Palma", on La Palma
      • Mixed Artillery Regiment No. 93, in Santa Cruz
        • Coastal Artillery Group I/93
        • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/93
        • Field Artillery Group III/93
      • Engineer Battalion XV, in Santa Cruz
    • Las Palmas Troops Command, in Las PalmasNote 1[1]
      • Motorized Infantry Regiment "Canarias" No. 50, in Las Palmas
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion I/50
        • Motorized Infantry Battalion II/50
      • Motorized Infantry Battalion "Lanzarote", on Lanzarote
      • Mixed Artillery Regiment No. 94, in Las Palmas
        • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group I/94
        • Field Artillery Group II/94
      • Engineer Battalion XVI, in Las Palmas

Note 1: The Tercio "Juan de Austria" No. 3 of the Legion was based on Fuerteventura and changed command from the Las Palmas Troops Command to the Legion Command in 1988.

General Reserve

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General Reserve organization (click to enlarge)

The General Reserve based in Málaga was headed by a two-star general and consisted of the Paratroopers Infantry Brigade, Airmobile Light Infantry Brigade, Legion Command, Army Airmobile Forces and five commands; all headed by a 1-star general.

  • Brigade Headquarters, in Alcalá de Henares[1]
    • Paratroopers Infantry Bandera "Roger de Flor" I, in Alcalá de Henares
    • Paratroopers Infantry Bandera "Roger de Lauria" II, in Alcalá de Henares
    • Paratroopers Infantry Bandera "Ortiz de Zárate" III, in Alcalá de Henares
    • Paratroopers Field Artillery Group, in Alcalá de Henares
    • Paratroopers Engineer Battalion, in Alcalá de Henares
    • Paratroopers Logistic Group, in Alcalá de Henares

Airmobile Light Infantry Brigade

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  • Brigade Headquarters, in Figueirido[1]
    • Airmobile Light Infantry Regiment "Príncipe" No. 3, in Siero
      • Airmobile Light Infantry Battalion "Toledo" I/3
      • Airmobile Light Infantry Battalion "San Quintin" II/3
    • Airmobile Light Infantry Regiment "Isabel La Católica" No. 29, in Figueirido
      • Airmobile Light Infantry Battalion "Zamora" III/29
      • Airmobile Light Infantry Battalion "Zaragoza" IV/29
    • Airmobile Field Artillery Group, in Figueirido
    • Airmobile Engineer Battalion, in A Coruña
    • Airmobile Logistic Group, in Figueirido

Legion Command

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The Legion Command was created during the META reform to oversee recruiting and training of the units of the Spanish Legion. For historic reasons the regiments of the Legion are called "Tercios" and the battalions "Banderas".

Army Airmobile Forces

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  • Headquarters, in Colmenar Viejo[1]
    • Attack Helicopter Battalion I, in Almagro
    • Maneuver Helicopter Battalion II, in Bétera
    • Maneuver Helicopter Battalion III, in Agoncillo
    • Maneuver Helicopter Battalion IV, in Dos Hermanas
    • Transport Helicopter Battalion V, in Colmenar Viejo
    • Maneuver Helicopter Battalion VI, in Los Rodeos
    • Army Airmobile Forces Signal Battalion, in Colmenar Viejo
    • Army Airmobile Forces Training Center, in Colmenar Viejo
    • Army Airmobile Forces Logistic Unit, in Colmenar Viejo
    • Helicopter Maintenance Depot and Center, in Colmenar Viejo
  • Command Headquarters, in Tarifa[1]
    • Coastal Artillery Regiment No. 4, in San Fernando
      • Coastal Artillery Group I/4
      • Coastal Artillery Group II/4
    • Coastal Artillery Regiment No. 5, in Algeciras
  • Command Headquarters, in San Andrés del Rabanedo[10][1]
    • Target Acquisition Artillery Regiment No. 61, in San Andrés del Rabanedo
    • Rocket Launcher Artillery Regiment No. 62, in Astorga
    • Field Artillery Regiment No. 63, in San Andrés del Rabanedo

Anti-aircraft Artillery Command

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  • Command Headquarters, in Madrid[1]
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 71, in Campamento
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group I/71
      • Anti-aircraft Missile Group II/71 (Roland II)
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 72, in Barcelona
      • Anti-aircraft Missile Group I/72 (Hawk)
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/72
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 73, in Cartagena
      • Anti-aircraft Missile Group I/73 (Aspide)
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/73
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 74, in Jerez de la Frontera
      • Anti-aircraft Missile Group I/74 (Hawk)
      • Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/74
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 75, in Valladolid
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group I/75
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/75
    • Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 76, in Ferrol
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group I/76
      • Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group II/76

Engineer Command

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  • Command Headquarters, in Fuencarral[1]
    • Special Engineer Regiment No. 11, in Salamanca
      • Road Building Battalion I/11
      • Construction Battalion II/11
    • Bridge and Special Engineer Regiment No. 12, in Zaragoza
    • Railway Engineer Regiment No. 13, in Cuatro Vientos
    • Railway Mobilization and Operations Regiment No. 14, in Fuencarral

Signal Command

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  • Command Headquarters, in El Pardo[1]
    • Tactical Signal Regiment No. 21, in El Pardo
    • Special Signal Regiment No. 22, in Madrid

Army Logistic Support Command

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Army Logistic Support Command organization (click to enlarge)

The three interregional logistic support commands were created in 1987 and subordinates to the Army Logistic Support Command. Each logistic support grouping managed all the vehicle parks, workshops, ammunition magazines and other logistic services in their assigned area.[1]

  • Command Headquarters, in Madrid[1]
    • Interregional Logistic Support Command Center, in Madrid
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 11, in Campamento (supporting the I Military Region)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 31, in Paterna (supporting the III Military Region)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 61, in Valladolid (supporting the VI Military Region)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 71, in Palma de Mallorca (supporting the Balearic Military Zone)
    • Interregional Logistic Support Command South, in Seville
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 21, in Seville (supporting the II Military Region)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 22, in Granada (supporting the II Military Region)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 23, in Ceuta (supporting the Ceuta General Command)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 24, in Melilla (supporting the Melilla General Command)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 81, in La Laguna and Las Palmas (supporting the Canary Military Zone)
    • Interregional Logistic Support Command North, in Zaragoza
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 41, in Zaragoza (supporting the IV Military Region)
      • Logistic Support Grouping No. 51, in Castrillo del Val (supporting the V Military Region)

The logistic support groupings No. 71 and No. 81 operationally assigned to the Balearic Military Zone respectively the Canary Military Zone.[11]

Graphic overview of the Spanish Army in 1990

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Structure of the Spanish Army in 1990 (click to enlarge)

Geographic distribution of the Spanish Army in 1990

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Mil. Region I
 
Brunete 1
 
Mechanized XI
 
# 1
 
Mil. Region II
 
Guzmán el Bueno 2
 
Mech. XXI
 
Motorized XXII
 
Motorized XXIII
 
Melilla Cmd
 
Ceuta Cmd
 
Mil. Region III
 
Maestrazgo 3
 
Mech. XXXI
 
Mech. XXXII
 
Balearic Zone
 
Mil. Region IV
 
Urgel 4
 
Mountain XLI
 
High Mtn. XLII
 
Castillejos II
 
Mil. Region V
 
Navarra 5
 
Mountain LI
 
Motorized LII
 
Mil. Region VI
 
Jarama I
 
Gen. Reserve
 
Para. Bde
 
Airmobile Bde
 
Legion Cmd
 
Airmob. Forces
 
Coast Art. Cmd
 
Field Art. Cmd
 
 
 
Spanish Army higher command locations in 1990
# 1: Armored Brigade XII, Anti-aircraft Artillery Command, Engineer Command, Signal Command
Off map: Canary Military Zone

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au Mogaburo López, Fernando (2017). Historia Orgánica De Las Grandes Unidades (1475-2018) (PDF). Madrid: Ministerio de Defensa - Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina. pp. 75–81. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  2. ^ López 2017, p. 63-68.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Real Decreto 1451/1984, de 1 de agosto, por el que se reestructura la organización militar del territorio nacional para el Ejército de Tierra". Ministerio de Defensa. p. 22538. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  4. ^ López 2017, p. 75-81.
  5. ^ "Documento BOE-A-1989-18998". Ministerio de Defensa. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  6. ^ Battalion-level units of the Regulares are named traditionally as Tabor
  7. ^ "Documento BOE-A-1989-16909". Ministerio de Defensa. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Documento BOE-A-1989-27300". Ministerio de Defensa. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Franquicias de Correos".
  10. ^ "Mando de Artillería de Campaña". Spanish Army. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  11. ^ "La Agrupación de Apoyo Logístico nº 81" (PDF). Patio de Armas. Academia de Logística. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  • Mogaburo López, Fernando (2017). Historia Orgánica De Las Grandes Unidades (1475-2018) (PDF). Madrid: Ministerio de Defensa - Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina. pp. 75–81. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  • Diego A. Ruiz Palmer, "Spain's Security Policy and Army in the 1990s," Parameters, 1990.
  • Xavier I. Taibo, "The Spanish Army Approaches its Future," Jane's Military Review, (1986) (London, Jane's, 1986) pp53–68