2008 Chilean Military Parade

The 2008 Chilean Military Parade was held at O'Higgins Park in Santiago on 19 September 2008 to commemorate the Day of the Glories of the Army. Presided over by President Michelle Bachelet, the military parade involved approximately 8,000 personnel from the Chilean Armed Forces and Carabineros de Chile, together with twelve foreign military delegations.

The parade featured 3,600 Army personnel, approximately 1,400 from the Chilean Air Force, 1,050 from the Chilean Navy and 1,790 Carabineros. Among the most prominent elements of the ceremony were a flypast by F-16 fighter aircraft and the participation of the Carabineros canine unit.

Background

The parade formed part of the annual commemorations of the Day of the Glories of the Army and the closing events of the Chilean Fiestas Patrias. Around 8,000 military and police personnel were assembled for the ceremony, with the Army providing the largest contingent.

Security around O'Higgins Park was reinforced during the festivities. Carabineros established a temporary police station at the park with 145 officers responsible for security and preventive patrols between 16 and 21 September.

The Navy prepared a contingent consisting of the Arturo Prat Naval Academy and the Naval Polytechnic Academy. The latter formed a regiment comprising its staff, military band, seven standards and three battalions. A total of 99 female naval personnel participated, including 34 cadets and 65 members of the Naval Polytechnic Academy.

Parade

The ceremony was headed by President Michelle Bachelet, accompanied by Defence Minister José Goñi and senior civilian and military authorities. Before the march-past, Bachelet participated in the traditional chicha en cacho toast and watched a performance of the cueca.

Major General Alejandro Martínez, commander of the Army's presenting force, requested presidential authorization to begin the parade. The march-past opened with the Bernardo O'Higgins Military School, followed by the Arturo Prat Naval Academy, the Captain Manuel Ávalos Air Force Academy and the General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Carabineros Academy.

The Navy subsequently presented its main echelon under Rear Admiral Andrés Fonzo Morán. The Naval Polytechnic Academy fielded three battalions, while 476 cadets formed the Naval Academy contingent. Female personnel were incorporated into both formations, with 99 women participating in the naval presentation.

The Air Force presentation included the Halcones aerobatic team and a flypast by F-16 fighter aircraft. The F-16s passed over the ellipse at approximately 500 kilometres per hour and were among the most applauded elements of the ceremony. Carabineros followed with its formations, including its canine unit, which also received significant attention from spectators.

The Army, represented by approximately 3,600 personnel, formed the largest contingent of the parade. Twelve foreign military delegations also participated in the ceremony.

The parade lasted slightly more than two hours and was attended by approximately 20,000 spectators. At its conclusion, Bachelet congratulated Major General Martínez and the participating personnel.