Regiment “Soria” 9 celebrates its 517th anniversary and 30 years on Fuerteventura

The 9th “Soria” Infantry Regiment will hold a military ceremony on May 19 at the Puerto del Rosario garrison to mark its 517th anniversary. The event also celebrates three decades of the unit’s presence on the island.

The ceremony will take place in the “Los Tercios” Parade Ground and will bring together civil and military authorities, institutional representatives, former regiment members and local residents.

Regiment “Soria” 9 is regarded as the oldest infantry regiment of the Spanish Army and one of the oldest in Europe. The program will include a military formation, the awarding of decorations, a tribute to fallen soldiers and a parade.

According to the Spanish Army, this anniversary is especially significant because it marks 30 years since the regiment arrived in Fuerteventura, where it has carried out both military duties and support for the civilian population.

Highlights of the regiment’s three‑decade presence

• Participation in international missions under the European Union, NATO and United Nations frameworks.
• Support operations during the COVID‑19 pandemic on the island.
• In 2026, the “Soria” 9 assumed command of the European Union Battlegroup (EUBG), the EU’s high‑readiness multinational force.

As part of the 30th‑anniversary celebrations, the FUDENAS sports competition will feature a marathon from Corralejo to Puerto del Rosario, honoring the regiment’s deep roots on the island.

The Army emphasizes that this initiative aims to strengthen the bond between the Majorcan community and the “Soria” 9, a relationship that has been consolidated over the past three decades.