Milex 2026
10 June 2026
Zaragoza, Spain. While Portugal celebrates its National Day on 10 June, Portuguese soldiers are marking the occasion far from home.
At the San Gregorio Training Area near Zaragoza, tactical vehicles move into position, drones prepare for flight, and soldiers make final preparations as MILEX26 enters a decisive phase. While celebrations take place across Portugal, these troops are spending their National Day in uniform, contributing to one of the European Union’s most important military exercises of the year.
At the head of the contingent is Colonel Musa Gonçalves Paulino, Commander of the Regimento de Guarnição N.º 3 (RG3) on Madeira Island and currently serving as Deputy Force Commander of the EU Battlegroup during MILEX26.
Under his leadership, the 1st Company of the Infantry Battalion from RG3 has deployed to Spain alongside an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the 1st Engineer Regiment in Tancos. Together, they contribute personnel, expertise and capabilities to the multinational force assembled for the exercise and to the validation of the European Union’s Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC).
For many of the Portuguese soldiers, preparation for MILEX26 began weeks before arriving in Spain. Following a demanding period of certification, training and readiness evaluations, the contingent deployed to Zaragoza to join European partners. Their presence demonstrates that readiness is built through preparation, professionalism and commitment.
Their arrival strengthens the multinational force with a combination of mobility, flexibility and specialized expertise. Equipped with ultra-light tactical vehicles, unmanned aerial systems and EOD capabilities, the Portuguese contingent enhances situational awareness, force protection and operational effectiveness across the challenging training environment of San Gregorio.
Yet for Colonel Musa Paulino, the most important capability cannot be found in a vehicle park or equipment inventory.
“It is the people.”
Although serving as Deputy Force Commander during the exercise, Colonel Musa Paulino never loses sight of the soldiers who make the mission possible. In his role, he helps synchronize activities between the multinational headquarters, liaison elements and forces operating across the exercise, contributing to the leadership and coordination of up to 2,500 soldiers from several European nations.
For him, serving on Portugal’s National Day carries particular significance.
“National Day is a moment to reaffirm our identity, our values and our history. At the same time, it reminds us that Portugal contributes to something larger. We remain proud of our sovereignty and our way of life while helping defend the shared values that unite Europe.”
Those values are reflected in MILEX26.
The exercise is designed to test and strengthen the European Union’s Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC), a force of up to 5,000 personnel able to deploy rapidly in response to crises requiring stabilization, evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance or peace enforcement. More than a military capability, the RDC demonstrates the European Union’s ability to act collectively, decisively and credibly when security challenges emerge.
Exercises such as MILEX26 transform political commitment into operational readiness. They build interoperability, trust and the ability of European forces to deploy, integrate and operate together under a common command structure.
For Colonel Musa Gonçalves Paulino, that trust is the foundation of multinational success.
“This is a European Union exercise, executed by a strong multinational headquarters and hosted by our Spanish friends and allies. It demonstrates what European cooperation can achieve when nations work together.”
His message is straightforward:
“Portugal is a credible ally.”
As MILEX26 enters its decisive phase, the Portuguese contingent demonstrates what European readiness looks like in practice: capable soldiers, modern capabilities and multinational cooperation working side by side.
While families gather across Portugal to celebrate their National Day, Portuguese soldiers are celebrating differently. Far from home, they are representing their country through service, professionalism and commitment alongside European allies.
On Portugal’s National Day, the soldiers of the Portuguese contingent are proving that Portugal’s contribution to European security is measured not only in capabilities, but above all in people. From Madeira Island to Tancos, and from Portugal to Zaragoza, they are helping turn shared European values into shared readiness.
