Joint Specialized Training of UNFICYP Personnel
(January 10) The members of the anti-aircraft rocket brigade Nitra preparing for deployment in UNFICYP commenced their joint specialized training. Altogether 91 members of the AF SR will undergo this 4-week training. The other twenty men will take part in a final tactical exercise and selection procedure since they had already undergone the joint and specialized training with a previous rotation. The testing of capabilities to perform the operational tasks will be held at the end of January, during the tactical exercise at the garrison training area Kolíňanský vrch. In the last two days of January, the commission will assess the results reached and based on such assessment it will decide on the filling of the specific positions with a rotating personnel. The training is aimed at the preparation of staff, force protection company and support elements. It is supposed to give the trainees an insight about the current situation in the site of deployment and about the history of the island, and to give them an opportunity to familiarize with the reporting system and to practice how to cope with potential incidents or other emergencies.
● On Wednesday, 8 January, a ceremonial muster was held in the premises of the military compound Bratislava – Vajnory at the occasion of the change in the command of the Bratislava Garrison Headquarters in the presence of the Chief of the GS of the AF of the SR Lieutenant General Peter Vojtek, the Commander of the Training and Support Forces Colonel Martin Stoklasa, the Commander of the Guard of Honour of the President of the SR Colonel Miroslav Ištván and others. Lieutenant Colonel Roman Grnáč passed the post of the Garrison Commander to Colonel Ján Marek who until then served as the Chief of the Operation Division at the Headquarters of the Training and Support Forces.
I. Gablech Awarded
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(January 9) „I highly value all the awarded and I am most glad that one of the state awards handed out by the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič went to the re red colonel Imrich Gablech, since we must not forget those who had fought against fascism. When we talked at the Ministry of Defence last year, it was apparent that the said award is regarded highly by Mr. Gablech,” said the Minister of Defence Mar n Glváč on the occasion of awarding Col. (Ret.) Imrich Gablech with the Order of the White Double Cross 2nd Class on 7 January in the Bra slava Castle for his ac ve engagement in the fight against fascism and for his life-long effort to defend democracy. On the occasion of the New Year and the anniversary of the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic, the President Ivan Gašparovič presented the state awards to sixteen personali es. Col. (Ret.) Imrich Gablech was the only soldier among those awarded. He was born on 4 November 1915 in Hrachovište. During his military service he came to a resolu on to fight against fascism and in June 1939, he and the other five soldiers flew their aircra , under the drama c circumstances, from Slovakia to Poland. In autumn 1939, a er the defeat of Poland and the consequent withdrawal, he got to the Soviet internment camp. In 1941, a er the poli cal arrangement between Moscow and London, he was transferred, together with the other two hundred airmen from internment camps, to Great Britain, where he served in the Czechoslovak squadrons of the RAF. A er the war, as a western resistance fighter he was dismissed from the army, interrogated by police and repeatedly fired from jobs, and was subjected to all sorts of persecu on. He se led in Havlíčkův Brod, where he has lived up to now. A er 1990 he was rehabilitated. He is a recipient of the highest Czech award – the Order of the White Lion. “I am most glad that I have lived to receive this honour from my na ve country, the Slovak Republic, being presented with the state award” said Col. (Ret.) Imrich Gablech. “I am proud to say that in Slovakia, they first paid a en on to my story at the Ministry of Defence and the Minister Mar n Glváč presented me with the highest award in the defence department last year,” he added. “I am glad to see that Mr. Gablech s ll looks very well, I daresay even be er than when we met at the Ministry of Defence last year. He is full of energy, smiling and easy, and we owe him a debt of respect and gra tude,” concluded the Minister Mar n Glváč a er the discussion with Col. Imrich Gablech.
● On 10 January 2014, members of the the Helicopter wing of Colonel General Ján Ambruš in Prešov commemorated the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak Republic with a ceremonial muster. First Lieutenant František Novotný was awarded by the Deputy Commander of the Wing Lieutenant Colonel Peter Fabišík with the 3rd Class Pilot Badge. Four members of the Wing received the Gratitude Letter from the Commander of the Polish Special Operations Forces, and the Commander of the 5th Special Forces Regiment in Žilina appreciated their support of the Slovak Air Forces operations during the COBRA-13 multinational training exercise.
Ceremonial of the Air Force (January 7) A ceremonial parade of the members of the Air Force Command Headquarters of the AF SR was held on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak Republic and the Armed Forces of the SR. In the presence of the Commander of the Air Force Brigadier General Miroslav Korba and other officials, the order of the President of the Slovak Republic was read. In his address, Brigadier General Korba stressed the fact that the Slovak Republic has become a respected and fully-fledged partner of the allied countries. He highlighted the activities which reflect credit upon our Armed Forces and have earned them considerable reputation, and he appreciated the members of the Air Force actively performing the crisis management tasks, NATINAMDS-related tasks (NATO integrated Air and Missile Defence System) and tasks of the international crisis management.
● A ceremony of handing over the position of the Chief of the Staff of the Stationary base communications and information systems was held on 10 January. The Base Commander Colonel Ľubomír Gacko passed the standard of the Chief of the Staff to Lieutenant Colonel Jaroslav Hamár, who effectively became the new Chief of the Staff. Lieutenant Colonel Igor Hurtoš thanked the Base Commander for his cooperation in carrying out tasks, and wished many successes to his successor. ● On 9 January in the presence of the Brigade Commander Colonel of the General Staff Ján Bujňák, a command preparation of the Headquarters and the Staff of the 1st Mechanized Brigade for the training year 2014 was held in the premises of the permanent dislocation of the Jaselské Barracks with the commanders of the subordinated units. The purpose was to brief and inform all professionals and employees of the 2 Mech Bde about the principles of safety and health at work. In the form of lectures, they got acquainted with the current information from the field of confidentiality, personal, administrative, physical and building safety, as well as technical equipment safety. ● At the invitation of Colonel Miroslav Ištván, the Commander of the Guard of Honour of the President of the SR, the military bishop – Ordinary of the Armed Forces and Armed Corps of the Slovak Republic Mons. František Rábek visited the premises of the unit on 9 January to bless the premises and offices of the unit. In his speech, he stressed the message and meaning of God’s blessing and the value of family which is the foundation stone of human existence. He emphasized the connection between family happiness and professional successes.
Meeting of TSF Members (January 7) Members of the Headquarters of the Training and Support Forces have met for the first time in the new year on 7 January on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak Republic. They held a silent minute to commemorate the members of the AF of the SR who died tragically at the end of 2013 in Afghanistan. After the President of the SR read the command to the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak Republic, the Commander of the Training and Support Forces Colonel Martin Stoklasa made a speech. He evaluated the year 2013 in which the organisational changes began. He thanked professional soldiers and employees for their work and wished sound health and family happiness in the new year to all present.
Ceremonial Meeting of General Staff of the AF SR (January 7) Members of the General Staff of the AF SR took part in a ceremonial meeting on the occasion of the Day of the establishment of the Slovak Republic and its Armed Forces. They were welcomed by the First Deputy ChoD Lieutenant General Peter Gajdoš. Chief of the Personnel management Division of the GS AF SR Colonel Maroš Brláš announced the order of the President of the SR. Chief of Defence of the General Staff of the AF SR said: “The previous year, in which we commemorated the 20th anniversary of the AF SR, was a year full of changes, a year when we helped citizens but also suffered painful losses. The past twelve months brought along a revision of internal structures in nearly
eBULLETIN MoD SR
all the units and facilities. Implementation of the conclusions and outcomes of the revision and optimization of structures of the armed forces will continue throughout the upcoming year. We will address the issues of supporting the everyday life of troops, issues of training and performing tasks of the domestic crisis management even under the significant budgetary and financial constraints. What we regard as particularly challenging is the termination of engagement of the members of our Armed Forces in Afghanistan, as well as the maintaining of the status quo in Cyprus or the monitoring of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the observer missions in the world.
January 6 - 12, 2014