Politics · Spain · 2 hrs ago
Two Spanish Air Force parachutists are set to carry flag in 12 October parade
Spain’s 12 October military parade for Hispanic Heritage Day includes a parachute jump with the national flag.
This year, Sergeant First Class Pablo García Matanza is the guide, and Corporal First Class José Antonio Lago Rubio is set to carry the flag.
Both belong to the Air and Space Force’s Acrobatic Parachuting Patrol.
Matanza has made more than 4,000 jumps and will check the wind, flight path and landing point before Lago descends.
Lago has made more than 12,500 jumps and will carry a flag measuring 24 square metres and weighing 15 kilograms.
Their experience matters because the jump requires precise control of the flag and landing.
The parade is scheduled for 12 October.
Pablo García Matanza and José Antonio Lago Rubio have been selected for the Spanish Air Force’s parachute jump with the national flag at the 12 October military parade.
García Matanza will act as the guide, checking the wind, flight path and landing point.
Lago Rubio will carry the 24-square-metre flag, which weighs 15 kilograms.
Both are members of the Air Force and Space Force’s Acrobatic Parachuting Patrol, known as PAPEA.
The article says their professional experience led to their selection.
- Who
- Spanish Air Force first sergeant Pablo García Matanza and first corporal José Antonio Lago Rubio.
- What
- They are set to take part in the parade’s flag-carrying parachute jump. García Matanza will guide the jump and Lago Rubio will carry the flag.
- When
- 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- They were selected for the honour because of their extensive professional experience.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
the value and excellence devoted to taking the art of acrobatic and precision parachuting to new limits
García Matanza joined PAPEA.
Lago Rubio again took on the role of PAPEA’s trainer.
García Matanza won team gold in the overall classification at the 58th National Military Parachuting Championship.
García Matanza carried the national flag during a jump over Zaragoza’s Pilar.
García Matanza repeated the performance at the Armed Forces Day event in Vigo.
García Matanza and Lago Rubio are set to take part in the military parade’s flag-carrying jump.
- Flag carrier
- José Antonio Lago Rubio
- Guide jumper
- Pablo García Matanza
- Flag size
- 24 square metres
- Flag weight
- 15 kilograms
- García Matanza’s jumps
- More than 4,000
- Lago Rubio’s jumps
- More than 12,500









