Located on the secondary front of Andalusia, the brigade played a minor role during the war.

The unit was created in February 1937 on the Jaén-Granada front from the "Granada" and "Maroto" battalions, as well as confederal militia forces from the Noalejo sector.

In April the 80th Mixed Brigade was assigned to the 21st Division;[1][n. 1] By then it had its headquarters in Jaén and covered the Frailes-Mures-Charilla sector.

[3] García Moreno was briefly replaced in June 1937 by Antonio Gallego Abril, and shortly after by Carlos Cuerda Gutiérrez.

He held command of the unit until January 20, 1938, when he was replaced by Manuel Galván Rodríguez.