Strong ties with Indiana National Guard (26 August) Following his official meeting with SVK CHOD Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, was welcomed by SVK Minister of Defence Martin Glváč. Talks centred on further military co-operation between the Indiana National Guard and the SVK Armed Forces. In recognition of his merits, the Minister of Defence presented Maj. Gen. Umbarger with the Commemorative Medal. Maj. Gen. Umbarger also met with SVK Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák and SVK NC Defence and Security Committee Chairman Jaroslav Baška. Accompanied by SVK CHOD Lt. Gen. Vojtek, the U.S. delegation visited military units in eastern Slovakia that engage in excellent co-operation with Interior Ministry personnel. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák briefed the American guests on Slovakia's border protection system. During the SIAF airshow Maj. Gen. Umbarger met with President and CinC of the SVK Armed Forces Ivan Gašparovič. “I am pleased to say that next year we'll celebrate the 20th anniversary of the co-operation between the SVK Armed Forces and the Indiana National Guard,” said M. Umbarger at the end of his visit.
● A reserve SVK unit earmarked for EUFOR ALTHEA has left for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where, between 8 – 12 September, it will participate in Exercise OPREH 2 to verify its readiness to respond to threats in the Balkans. This year the re-
(27 August) Minister of Defence Martin Glváč participated in
serve unit is formed of the 12th Mech Btn from Nitra. Deploy-
an unconventional “question hour” at the SVK National Council. However, instead of facing the MPs, he was met by approx. 60 children from Comenius Children's University. Joined by his cabinet colleagues, he was ready to handle their curious questions. During the 11th Children's University, vacationing students became familiar with topographical and medical training in the Transport Battalion in Hlohovec, outdoor fire-starting, water purification, and basic military skills. Roughly 80 boys and girls visited the Military History Museum in Piešťany.“ Military workshops are among the most preferred subjects at the Children's University. This is why we would like to extend our thanks to the Slovak Ministry of Defence for their excellent preparation and co-operation," said Kamil Pončák, the production manager of Comenius Children's University.
ing to B&H in three convoys and on fifty wheeled vehicles, a total of 125 service personnel will demonstrate their readiness.
● On 26 August, a total of 55 soldiers joined the skills improvement course at the NCO Academy in Martin, aspiring to rise
The power of Slovak National Uprising (29 August) Minister of Defence Martin Glváč commemorated the 69th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNU) at the SNU Museum in Banská Bystrica. Also in attendance were Slovakia's top state officials - Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič, NC Chairman Pavol Paška, and PM Robert Fico. Romanian President Traian Băsescu and Chairman of the Russian State Duma Sergey Naryshkin accepted the invitation to attend the event as well. After a wreath-laying ceremony at the SNU Memorial, the Minister of Defence praised the courage of all those who were involved in the national liberation movement and distinguished themselves by deeds of valour, while sacrificing their own health and, some of them, even lives. “At the time of the SNU, we demonstrated the strength, integrity and courage of our nation to fight the German occupation forces. It is important to remind younger generations of these events. To raise the awareness of them among young people, educative projects are being prepared by the Military History Institute,” said Martin Glváč. In this context, CHOD Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek emphasized that the resistance of Slovak soldiers against the Nazis during the SNU was of exceptional importance for the history and traditions of our Armed Forces. Minister of Defence Martin Glváč awarded the Commemorative Medal of the Minister of Defence 3rd Grade to six participants of the resistance movement, and one posthumously. In addition to visiting the former heart of the resistance movement, the Minister of Defence also attended memorial services at other locations.
Kids interested (even) in defence
to the rank of sergeant. They will hone their skills in leadership, management, exercise assessment, and basic psychology so that they can become leaders capable of not only handling specialized tasks with their units but also serving as role models for their subordinates.
● Held under the auspices of President and CinC of the SVK Armed Forces Ivan Gašparovič, Sahara 2013, the largest gathering of historic military vehicles, took place in the Záhorie Military District in Slovakia in late August. The 11th show featured reenactments of battles occurring in the Slovak National Uprising, North Africa, Normandy and at Kiev. Also presented were the activities and equipment in use with the Záhorie Military Technical and Testing Institute. The parade involved more than 150 vehicles contributed by collectors from 15 countries.
● Minister of Defence Martin Glváč met with Colonel (Retired) Imrich Gablech to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the SVK Armed Forces on 27 August. As early as WWII, this military veteran escaped, with seven other airmen, from the Slovak State to Poland to fight against the Nazis. Later, while retreating to Romania, he was captured by the Soviet Army and spent two years in the gulag. After being transferred to the UK, he served as a ground crew member. M. Glváč awarded I. Gablech for his role in the fight against Nazism and for his contribution to the military traditions of the Czechoslovak airmen in WWII.
SIAF: Military aviation is about defence and assistance (31 August) In his opening speech at the 3rd International Air Fest (SIAF 2013), held at Sliač AFB between 31 August and 1 September, Minister of Defence Martin Glváč said that the Slovak Air Force is not only about fighter aircraft but also about the skills of helicopter pilots assisting in domestic crisis management operations. “I believe that even this venue will make the public realize that aircraft are needed in our daily life, not just in a military conflict,” said the Minister of Defence. He went on to say that for the SVK Armed Forces the event marks the 20th anniversary of their establishment, the celebration of which will culminate in Bratislava on 14 September 2013. In the words of CHOD Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek, the SVK Armed Forces put up their best performances for the Slovak public. “Besides fighter planes, helicopters and transport aircraft, we have www.mosr.sk/ebulletin/
prepared demonstrations of Land Force units and soldiers' equipment and clothing,” he said, adding that he was also of the opinion that our citizens should know that the Armed Forces are here for them. Among the most captivating displays at the air show were the performances of the Spanish Patrulla Águila Aerobatic Team, of an Israeli Hermes 450 spy plane, a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27, and, last but not least, those of historic WWII-era aircraft.
eBULLETIN MoD SR
August 26 - September 1, 2013