FUNDACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO 95 - ENGLISH

EDUCATION AND COEXISTENCE 31 José María Galera died on August 25, 2010, in Afghanistan, victim of an attack carried out while he was performing ins- truction and advisory duties for local se- curity forces as part of the international mission deployed in the country. The at- tack took place at Urrutia Base, located in the center of the city of Qala-i-Naw, where the officers traveled every morning from another base on the outskirts to carry out their training work. Early that day, Captain Galera and Lieu- tenant Abraham Leoncio, both members of the Guardia Civil, were giving instruc- tion in a courtyard to 47 Afghan police officers, with the support of interpreter Ataollah Taefy Khalili, of Iranian ori- gin and Spanish nationality. Without warning, the driver of an Afghan police captain opened fire on them, emptying his rifle magazine before being killed by security forces. The interpreter died at the scene. Se- riously wounded, the two Guardia Civil officers were urgently transferred to the hospital at Ruy González de Clavijo Base, approximately one and a half kilometers from the site of the attack. Despite the efforts of medical staff, their lives could not be saved. José María Galera Córdoba and Abraham Leoncio were part of an Operational Men- toring and Liaison Team for the Afghan National Police, one of the mission's most sensitive and risky tasks: helping train lo- cal forces to ensure the country's security and stability. Their murder once again demonstrated the persistent threat of ji- hadist terrorism and the high price many public servants have paid in the name of peace and international cooperation. Those who worked with him emphasize his dedication, discipline, and commit- ment, qualities that marked a professional career recognized with two Guardia Civil Merit medals and a NATO decoration. José María Galera Córdoba belonged to a family closely linked to public service. The son and grandson of Guardia Civil Those who worked with him emphasize his dedication, discipline, and commitment, qualities that marked a professional career recognized with two Guardia Civil Merit medals and a NATO decoration, reflecting his involvement both nationally and in international missions officers and the brother of members of the military, he decided to continue that tradition by joining the armed institute in 2000. His vocation soon led him toward the most demanding units: he voluntari- ly requested transfer to the Rapid Action Group (GAR), a unit specialized in coun- terterrorism with headquarters in Logro- no and operations in the Basque Country and Navarre. Outside the uniform, José María found in sport a space for connection and enjoy- ment. A fan of swimming and especially basketball, he took his first steps in that sport with the local team in Tarazona de la Mancha (Albacete), sharing training sessions and games with his cousins and with young people fromMadrid who often visited the town. Those years left a deep impression on those who knew him, both on and off the court. Shortly before his assignment in Afgha- nistan, José María began a new per- sonal stage. He had married a young Ukrainian woman he met in the Basque Country three months before his trans- fer. The wedding was held in Tarazona de la Mancha, in an intimate and mo- ving ceremony in which the captain wore the Guardia Civil dress uniform, a symbol of the institution to which he had devoted his life. After news of his murder became known, the impact was immediate in his ho- metown. The mayor of Tarazona de la Mancha declared three days of official mourning, as a sign of shared grief and the recognition of an entire town for so- meone who had served Spain until his final day.