As in a real war scenario, units of tanks and other armored vehicles are in the depths facing the enemy, and, almost simultaneously, fully armed Shilkas leave their protective areas and move to the battle lines. These powerful weapons and their crews are responsible for supporting the withdrawal of these troops once their mission has been accomplished. They concentrate their fire on naval and air assets: cruise rockets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) that might attack them. They return with their orders carried out.

The description illustrates the tactical actions of a large anti-aircraft defense unit that is part of a grouping of troops of the Eastern Army, carried out at the Puerto Padre range, which crowned the second day of the Bastion 2024 strategic exercise in this territory, and whose implementation contributes to strengthening the country's defensive capacity, safeguarding peace and guaranteeing victory in the face of any aggression.

Major Yaisel Calzadilla Cutiño, head of the Revolutionary Armed Forces' anti-aircraft defense unit, praises this weaponry, which he has become very familiar with through constant interaction with its parts and with the combatants in charge of operating it and making it perform in battle.

The officer recognizes that such equipment, because of its high rate of fire and operational facilities, plays a fundamental role in modern warfare in clearing our skies of potential intruders. To achieve effective employment, troops develop the skills and abilities essential in combat.

This Friday at the same place, the combat actions of all forces - anti-aircraft, artillery, infantry, and different types of explosives, which are part of the territorial defense system - were carried out practically. They thus materialized the concept of the All People's War doctrine devised by the undefeated Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.

These days, the objective of continuing to raise the level of preparation and cohesion of the leadership and command bodies, the troops, and the territorial defense system at all levels has been achieved to, together with the people, confront any variant of aggression against our Homeland, as Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, president of the National Defense Council (CDN in Spanish), proclaimed in his opening remarks.

Everything done these days makes it possible to continue strengthening the country's military invulnerability,  one of its main objectives. The declared principle of deterring enemies and preserving the peace and tranquility of the nation is one of its main achievements.

Following the instructions of the president of the CDN, since the morning of Wednesday 22 January, by order of Walter Simón Noris, president of the Provincial Defense Council (CDP in Spanish), the command and management posts have been activated here, which have responded cohesively to the planned missions.

For example, on Thursday, the Defense Council of the head municipality clarified the procedures for dealing with situations of risk, threats, and aggressions to internal security, in a scenario of unconventional warfare and the fight against enemy invasion.

During the preparation for leadership bodies, members were trained to conduct the actions foreseen in the plans for dealing with enemy invasion, cooperation, masking, and leadership. In addition, training on how to train the information system for wartime defense and fulfill the measures that make up the single scouting system.

The event was chaired by Simón Noris and Yelenis Tornet Menéndez, president and vice-president of the CDP, respectively.

This Saturday, the 25th, is National Defense Day, with the main activities taking place in the Defence Council (CD in Spanish) of San José, a district located on the outskirts of the capital city, and in the municipality of Majibacoa. The highest authorities of the Party, the Government, the Military Region, and the Minint will visit areas set aside for the exercises.

The exercise involves the command bodies, companies, and organizations in defense management. Templates are reviewed and other activities are carried out to train the units and activate the DCs, with all the working groups at the zone, municipality, and provincial levels. The people's participation is counted on because the strength of the Revolution is the strength of the people.

The Bastión 2024 Strategic Exercise was scheduled for last November, but due to the impact of the earthquakes and hurricanes Oscar and Rafael, it was postponed to this year.