Sargento primero Pablo García Matanza and Cabo primero José Antonio Lago Rubio, members of the 's PAPEA unit, performed the flagship parachute jump during the military parade on 12 October 2026. Matanza served as the guide jumper.
Lago Rubio, the current PAPEA coach and Spanish Landing Precision champion, carried the 24-square-metre national flag. Both aviators are highly decorated; Matanza has over 4,000 jumps, while Lago Rubio has completed more than 12,500 during his career.
The 19-member PAPEA unit remains a core element of Spanish military displays. These elite jumpers, including the Paratrooper of the Year Lago Rubio, demonstrate technical excellence in high-profile events attended by and national leaders.