Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Castilla" No. 16

The Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Castilla" No. 16 is currently a versatile unit of the Spanish Army, traditionally integrated into the infantry. Since 2015, with the introduction of multi-role organic brigades, it was designated as the Armored Regiment "Castilla" No. 16. It has been known as "Mechanized Infantry" since 1966, when the first tanks arrived at its Sancha Brava barracks. Until that time, the unit was designated as the 16th Infantry Regiment "Castilla". Years later, in 1975, the limitations of the barracks and, in particular, the training and firing range became evident, necessitating restrictions on the direction and range of projectiles. This led to considerations for relocating the unit to a larger facility that could also accommodate other units, transforming it into a base housing multiple regiments and logistical and support units. This plan was realized with the construction of the General Menacho Base near the village of Bótoa, approximately 20 km from Badajoz, where the regiment has been stationed since 1999.

During its time at the Sancha Brava Barracks, the regiment experienced significant historical moments, some challenging and others rewarding. Among the challenges was the difficult situation surrounding the coup attempt on February 23, 1981. Days earlier, most of the regiment's tanks were on maneuvers in Cerro Muriano, Córdoba, and were ordered to return to their Badajoz barracks before the maneuvers concluded. Upon arrival at Sancha Brava, all personnel were placed on alert, and tanks and other vehicles were refueled and armed. The regiment remained loyal to the Constitution and continued its operations with complete normalcy.

The first tanks assigned to the regiment were the American M47 Patton, M41 Walker Bulldog, and APCs (armoured personnel carriers) in their M577 command variants and M113 for troop transport and other functions. In 1983, the AMX-30E (the Spanish version of the French AMX-30) arrived, followed by the M60 Patton, the German Leopard 2A4 in the mid-1990s, and finally the Spanish Leopard 2E. Regarding its activities, the regiment has participated in various humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in El Salvador, six deployments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, one in Yugoslavia, two in Kosovo, one in Iraq, one in Indonesia, and three in Lebanon.