Colombian National Army
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| Colombian National Army Ejercito Nacional de Colombia |
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 Colombian Army Emblem |
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| Active | August 19, 1819 - Present |
| Country | Colombia |
| Role | Foreign and Domestic Defense |
| Garrison/HQ | Colombian Ministry of Defense |
| Colors | Colombian Flag; yellow, blue and red. |
| March | "himno del Ejercito" |
| Battles/wars | Independence War against Spain, Thousand Days War (Civil war), War Against Peru, Korean War, Colombian Armed Conflict |
| Anniversaries | August 7 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Gen. Mario Montoya Uribe |
| Notable commanders |
Simon Bolivar, Francisco de Paula Santander, Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Harold Bedoya, Manuel José Bonett Rafael Reyes Prieto |
The Colombian National Army (Spanish: Ejercito Nacional de Colombia) is the land force of Colombia and the largest branch of the Colombian Armed Forces. It has the responsibility for land-based military operations along with the Infanteria de Marina (Marine Corps) to protect Colombia against national or international threats.
The modern Colombian Army has its roots in the Ejercito de los Comuneros or Army of the Commoners which was formed on August 7, 1819, before the establishment of the present day Colombia to meet the demands of the Revolutionary War against the Spanish Monarchy.
The Congress of Angostura created that same day the Greater Colombian Army after the triumph over the Spanish, to replace the disbanded Commoners Army. However, the Colombian Army considers itself to be an evolution of the Commoners Army, and thus dates its inception from its origins.
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[edit] History
The Colombian Army trace its history back to the 1770s and 1780s, when the comuneros (Commoners) (mostly descendants of Spanish and Amerindians) decided to separate from the Spanish crown to create their own country and iniciated a revolutionary war. The Greater Colombian Army is consolidated on August 7, 1819 by defeating the Spaniards at Boyaca in the Battle of Boyaca and under the command of Simon Bolivar. Since then the Colombian Army has been the biggest organization of Colombia.
During the 19th century the military reform carried out by General Rafael Reyes Prieto in the year 1907 would denote the professionalization of the Colombian Armed Forces.
[edit] Recent History
The Colombian Army has a remarkable modern history of unstoppable fighting against different enemies of Colombian society. Among them are leftist guerrillas, right-wing para-military forces and narcoterrorism.
The United States government approved the "Plan Colombia". Part of this monetary aid would be directed to the support of the Colombian Army by strengthening its combat capabilities.
The Colombian Army is led by the President of Colombia (a civilian) and directed as well by a "three suns" general.
The training of Colombian soldiers is world recognized due to its demanding features. The promotion courses (courses that the candidate has to take in order to be promoted to a higher rank) are usually tough and physically demanding.
A "Lancero" training course in counterinsurgency warfare is held in Tolemaida, 150 miles (240km) from Bogotá, where temperatures range between 85 and 100 degrees F. (29.5-38 degrees C.) throughout the year. The course, which has been called the toughest in the world, is run by the Colombian army with U.S. military instructors also playing a role. According to Paris Match (no. 2964, March 9-15, 2006) the course lasts 73 days and trains Bolivian, Ecuadorean, and Panamian troops as well as Colombian soldiers; some French and American soldiers are also trained there.[1] The course, founded in 1955, derives from the Ranger program of the US Army. Severe brutalizing techniques and live ammunition are used, and some trainees have not survived. Because of its exceptional nature, the course has gained international prestige.
[edit] Special Units
The Colombian Army has created new programs in order to fight terrorism and leftist guerrillas that during the last 40 years have tried to overthrow the Colombian government
[edit] Fast Deployment Force
Fuerza de Despliegue Rapida abr. FUDRA, was created as a modern quick reaction force to deploy to different regions and to all types of weather. Currently, its function is to solely carry out ofensive operations against insurgents or outlaws.
[edit] Brigade Against Narcotics
Brigada Anti-Narcoticos, This unit was especially activated for operations against the trafficking of narcotics. It was created on December 8, 2000 and has its main headquarters in the Guaviare Department.
[edit] Army Aviation Unit
Unidad de Aviacion del Ejercito, The Colombian Army has an aviation branch that works autonomously from the Colombian Air Force. It's part of the Colombian Army Cavalry Corps and its main mission is to support the army's ground operations. The unit has recently focused in the security of the Colombian border and Colombia's sovereignity. This Unit was created on September 7 of 1916 and it is managed by the Colombian Cavalry.
[edit] Current Overseas Military Operations
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The Colombian Army deploys soldiers in the Sinai and has joined forces many times with different armies around the world.
