The LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’ receives her Battle Ensign in Cádiz

Her Majesty the Queen has sponsored and presented the Battle Ensign of the LDH (Landing Helicopter Dock) ‘Juan Carlos I’ in Cádiz. The ceremony was attended by military and civilian authorities, among them the Minister of Defense, Pedro Morenés, the Chief of Naval Staff (AJEMA), Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado, and the President of the Andalusian Regional Government, Susana Díaz.

The Ceremony

The ceremony commenced with the AJEMA offering the Ensign to Her Majesty after having been blessed by the Spanish Navy Military Chaplain. Subsequently, the Queen handed the Ensign to the Commanding Officer of the ‘Juan Carlos I’, Captain Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez who, following an ancient tradition knelt down and kissed the flag.

The ships nearby fired a gun salute and, among a ringing of bells, Captain Piñeiro hoisted the Ensign assisted by his Officer and Navigator.

Subsequently a music band played the Spanish Navy anthem and an honors battalion marched past the Battle Ensign.

The Ship

The ‘Juan Carlos I’ is the largest warship built for the Spanish Navy in our country. Her length is 231 meters and beam 32 meters.

The ship was delivered on September 30th 2010 and her home port is Rota Naval Base.

Her main missions include the transport, landing and support of a Marine Corps force; force projection ashore, operate as an aero-naval platform and participate in non military operations like humanitarian aid, disaster relief or evacuation of non-combatants in crisis areas.