Defence High Command Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Defence High Command
Alto Estado Mayor
Building of the AEM, on Paseo de la Castellana (Madrid)
Active	1939–1980
Country	Spain
Branch	Armed forces
Type	Military staff
Part of	Spanish Armed Forces
Headquarters	Madrid
Commanders
First Chief	Brigadier General Juan Vigón Suerodíaz
Last Chief	Lieutenant General Ignacio Alfaro Arregui
Insignia
Abbreviation	AEM
Emblem (until 1975)
Emblem (1975–1980)

The Defence High Command (in Spanish: Spanish: Alto Estado Mayor, or AEM) was a very important group in the Spanish Armed Forces. It worked like a main office for the Army, Navy, and Air Force in Spain. The AEM helped these different military branches work together.

It existed from 1939 to 1980, during the time of Franco's rule and the start of Spain's move to democracy.

History of the Defence High Command
Images for kids
See also

History of the Defence High Command

The AEM was created on August 30, 1939. Its main goal was to be a "team for working together, studying, and sharing information." This team would help the main leader make good decisions for the country's defense.

The Defence High Command had several important jobs:

They studied how Spain's resources could be used best in case of war. This was to make sure the country could manage on its own, without needing much from other countries.
They helped decide how to share resources fairly between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
They planned how these forces would work together in big operations.
They also created plans for how the military would act if there was a war.
Finally, they gathered information about the military and economic strength of other countries. This helped Spain's leaders understand the world around them.

To do all this, the AEM had a General-Chief who was also a secretary for the National Defense Junta. It also had a special office and three main sections: one for military matters, one for economic matters, and one for information.

Dealing with Information and Spies

By February 5, 1944, there was a need to deal with foreign spy groups in Spain. So, a new military intelligence group was started. It was called the "Third Information Section of the Defence High Command" (SIAEM).

However, there were some problems with different groups trying to stop spies. So, in 1945, they decided to split up the tasks. The Defence High Command would handle espionage (spying) and counterintelligence (stopping spies) for military reasons, both inside and outside Spain. The Ministry of the Interior would take care of safety inside the country. Other government departments would collect general information they needed.

The End of the AEM

After the death of Spain's leader, Franco, in 1975, the military's structure was changed. The Defence High Command (AEM) stopped existing in 1980. Its jobs were taken over by a new group called the Board of Joint Chiefs of Staff (JUJEM). Later, in 1984, the JUJEM was replaced by the Defence Staff (EMAD).