Solemn Commemoration of Tragedy in VOP Nováky
(March 2) On Sunday, The State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the SR Miloš Koterec attended the ceremony to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the tragedy that occurred in the Military Repair Plant VOP Nováky. Eight employees of the repair plant lost their lives then and dozens more were injured. “Even after a lapse of time we feel uneasy thinking back of what had happened. Personally speaking, I am very sorry that so far no punishment was imposed on those responsible for this pointless tragedy,” said the State Secretary Koterec. He reminded that the matter is sub judice, i.e. remains under judicial inquiry. The explosion in a delaboration hall in March 2007 destroyed a substantial part of the military repair plant. The leadership of VOP Nováky adopted several special measures to eliminate risks at work and to prevent any other failure. The economic situation of the repair plant was critical even long after the tragedy. With the aim to stabilize the plant and preserve employment, the current leadership decided to make the plant subject to a long-term lease of 20 years to a strategic partner selected in a public tender. ● SVK Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Miroslav Korba presided over a meeting of commanders, which was held on the premises of SVK Air Force HQ in Zvolen on 25 February. Also in attendance was Chief of the General Staff of the SVK Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek, Chief NCO of the SVK Armed Forces Command Sergeant Major Vladimír Beluš, Chief Inspector of Flight Safety Col. Ján Salaj and Deputy Dean for Education from the Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš Jozef Puttera. The meeting was aimed at assessing the performance of the SVK Air Force's main tasks by the specific priorities and the crucial tasks set for 2013. The official part was followed by presentations of military-specific issues.
Thanks to Olympians (February 26) Thousands of fans gathered in Banská Bystrica’s SNP Square to welcome biathlonist Anastasia Kuzminová, who had returned with a gold medal from the Sochi Winter Olympics. Minister of Defence Mar n Glváč presented her with a special gi – an alarm clock featuring a target as a thank-you for her successful representa on of the Dukla Banská Bystrica Army Sports Club (DBB ASC). “I would like to extend my thanks to all sportsmen and women of DBB ASC for their exemplary representa on. It is a tremendous success,” said the Minister of Defence. The categoriza on of sports, which was introduced at DBB ASC following his appointment, has proved to be the right choice: “I believe that also for other sportsmen and women we will foster an environment where spor ng talents may grow up.” Anastasia Kuzminová expressed her thanks for the support of the MOD officials. “Without financial backing it is impossible to exist in top-level sports. It is a great help for us,” emphasized Kuzminová. The Minister of Defence also rewarded skier Adam Žampa for his 5th place in supercombina on and 6th place in the men's slalom. Minister Glváč also thanked biathlonist Pavol Hurajt, who had finished his spor ng career at the Sochi Olympics.
Golden Petra Vlhová
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(February 28) SVK Minister of Defence Mar n Glváč congratulated skier Petra Vlhová on her gold medal, which she won at the Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in the Jasná Ski Resort on Friday. Being a member of the Dukla Banská Bystrica Army Sports Club, she placed 1st in slalom. “The gold medal from the Junior World Ski Championships is definitely a springboard for the further career of this excellent junior skier. I believe she could follow the successes of our Veronika Velez – Zuzulová, who also started her career by winning the junior’s gold medal in slalom. I am pleased to say that at DBB ASC we have such a talent as Petra,” said SVK Minister of Defence Mar n Glváč.
● Director of the Military Police Col. Milan Hamar, joined by senior officials and commanders of subordinated military units, assessed the performance of the 2013 targets on the premises of the Military Police Directorate on 25 February. The main emphasis was on the analysis of the MOD-wide security situation in 2013 and the activities executed as part of international crisis management.
In Brussels also on Ukraine (February 27) Ministers of Defence held negotiations in Brussels on Afghanistan, Ukraine and NATO Summit on 26 – 27 February. The delegation of the Slovak Republic was led by the State Secretary of MoD SR Miloš Koterec. The main issue addressed on the first day was preparation for the summit of the Alliance to be held in September 2014, where the member countries intend to introduce projects like anti-missile defence and joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The Ministers also raised the issues of strengthening the cyber defence capabilities and maritime security of the Alliance. Heads of delegations from the countries of Visegrad Four declared the V4 idea of joining the certification exercise of the V4 EU Battle Group, planned for 2015, and NATO exercise Trident Juncture. The meeting continued with a discussion on Afghanistan and with a session of NATOUkraine Commission.
● Members of the Prešov-based Helicopter Wing conducted small arms firing at the Garrison Ruská Nová Ves Training Area and Firing Range. They practiced weapons handling, weapons assembly and disassembly within a specified time limit, as well as the clarity of eye vision when aiming at targets at different distances. The soldiers fired the Pi vz. 82 pistol and the Sa vz. 58 submachine gun in different target scenarios, while standing, kneeling and lying on the ground. ● After winning the military skills competition, Slovak military personnel deployed in UNFICYP in Cyprus were unrivalled even in a small arms marksmanship competition, which was held at a firing range in the UN Protection Area (UNPA) in Nicosia. The team fired the 9mm FN HP Browning pistol at the distances of 15, 20 and 25m, while standing, sitting, kneeling and lying on the ground. The value of Slovakia's victory is even greater inasmuch as, besides members of Sector 1, Sector 2 and HQ UNPA, also Force Military Police Unit (FMPU), UNPOL (Police for handling civil affairs), and MFR (Mobile Force Reserve) members participated in the competition. ● A training exercise involving Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) took place in the Garrison Kolíňanský vrch Training Area on 25 February, built around the theme of driving vehicles in difficult off-road conditions. Besides the drivers of the 12th Mech Btn Nitra, also the drivers from Log Sup Btn Topoľčany partook in the training exercise. The exercise’s crucial task was represented by Practical Driving – Exercise 6a Day/Night. ● The National EOD Centre Nováky opened an Army EOD Specialist course. 20 SVK Armed Forces members and 3 SVK Interior Ministry personnel joined the course. Training is focused on site inspection, unexploded ordnance and ammunition transportation, storage and disposal in closed military areas. Successful course graduates will receive the Army EOD Specialist Certificate with a three-year validity period.
Successful LLAPI Testing (February 28) On 27 – 28 February, the project LLAPI (Low Level Air Picture Interface) was tested in the premises of the anti-aircraft rocket brigade Nitra, in the presence of the US Air Attaché Andrew Taylor and representatives of the Air Force HQ and company ALES Slovakia. The brigade Nitra hence reached interoperability with NATO partners. The LLAPI system allows to share the aerial situation, the next step will be sharing the tactical situation. In December last year, the testing was held in concert with the Czech armed forces. The members of the anti-aircraft rocket brigade Nitra hence met the condition which is a prerequisite to taking part in the international exercise Master Harmony to be held in October in the Czech Republic.
Disposal of Cluster Munitions in Slovak Armed Forces (February 28) In compliance with the action plan of the Slovak Republic’s accession to the Convention on Cluster Munitions placing a ban on cluster munitions, the Armed Forces of the SR disposed of the first nearly 1,200 pcs of cluster bombs. Soldiers dispose of the munitions as a part of the training of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts. The Slovak Republic views the Convention as a significant component of the international humanitarian law, which, by virtue of adopting the Convention, acquires an effective tool able to respond to the growing requirements of the public opinion around the world, calling for exemption of weapon systems which, once being used, lead to inacceptable and devastating humanitarian consequences and which pose a risk to lives of people, namely to the civilian population, from the inventory of legitimate military means. “Since 18 September 2013 there has been a ban on handling and use of cluster munitions in the Armed Forces of the SR,” said the Minister of Defence Martin Glváč. The only exemption applies to specialized operational procedures, pyrotechnic training and EOD specialists’ training aimed at disposal of cluster munitions. According to the Minister, Slovakia should join the Convention on cluster munitions within two years, which will bring along costs of approximately EUR 5.5 million for the Department of Defence. “It is fully in compliance with the draft action plan with respect to the issue in question, which plan received the Government’s approval on 15 January,” specified the Minister. According to the Minister Glváč, our soldiers are able to dispose of a large amount of cluster munitions within the training of pyrotechnic and EOD personnel. The members of the National EOD Centre have disposed of nearly 1,200 pcs of cluster bombs since June 2013.
eBULLETIN MoD SR
February 24 - March 2, 2014