Welcoming the 17th ISAF Rotation (June 29) Troops from the 17th rotation of the Slovak ISAF contingent gathered at the Liberation Square in Michalovce to ceremoniously accept medals for professional conduct and fulfillment of all the mission tasks from the hands of Defense Minister Martin Glváč and the Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek. “We are truly happy that after spending six months in the Afghanistan war zone you have all returned home to your wives, children, families and friends,” said minister Glváč, adding: “Get some rest, enjoy a beautiful summer with your loved ones. I´m extremely proud of you!” As Col. Róbert Plávka, the Commander of the 17th rotation of the Slovak ISAF contingent noted, most of the decorated soldiers come from the Michalovce military units. Therefore following the ceremony minister Glváč went to visit the 22nd mechanized brigade and later on also the selfpropelled artillery unit, where the commanders introduced to the Minister, the Commander of the Land Forces Maj. Gen. Ján Salaganič and the Commander of the 2 nd mechanized brigade Col. Karol Navrátil the history, main tasks, weapons and equipment of their respective units.
Australia values our work in Afghanistan (June 26) Australia highly values the cooperation between the Slovak and Australian troops in Afghanistan, said the Australian Ambassador to the Slovak Republic H.E. Michael Potts at a meeting with Defense Minister Martin Glváč. Noting the plans of the Slovak Republic to withdraw the guard unit numbering 53 soldiers from the Australian-led Tarin Kowt base in the Uruzgan province, the Ambassador acknowledged the unit´s contribution to the mission and appreciated the excellent cooperation between the two militaries. “It is only natural that you strive to achieve higher capabilities and look ahead with respect to your Special Operations Forces. We very much appreciate your decision to continue contributing to the Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Uruzgan as well as to the operational and training teams in Afghanistan,” said the Ambassador. Minister Glváč assured the Australian Ambassador that the Slovak Republic wishes to bring the process of the planned change of our mandate to a mutually satisfactory conclusion. “Discussions on how to transform our participation in the ISAF operation are still ongoing,” said the Minister. He simultaneously confirmed that the decision on the change of our mandate for the Afghanistan operation should be arrived at during the summer. “All the decisions will be communicated in a timely fashion; it is our goal to remain a trustworthy and stabile partner,” emphasized Glváč. The Australian Ambassador appraised the fact that despite a complicated economic situation Slovak Armed Forces have made a significant progress in the past years. “We consider it crucial that you stand by your commitments and wish to keep them,” he said. “I´m pleased with such an evaluation, we have been hearing it repeatedly from various sources,” responded the Defense Minister.
● AF SR Training and Support Forces are celebrating their 10th anniversary. On this occasion a ceremonial parade was held on June 28 on the premises of the Army club in Trenčín, with the participation of former TSF commanders including Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek, the current Chief of the General Staff. Vojtek awarded the selected ranking members of the Command the Badge of the Chief of the General Staff of the 2nd, 3rd Order; the Fidelity Medal of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Order . The outgoing Commander of TSF Brig. Gen. Josef Pokorný awarded Commemorative Badges of the 2nd and 3rd Order and Commemorative Letters for work performed to the benefit of the Command and its subordinate units.
The OPEN DOORS DAY at the MoD on June 23, 2012 saw plenty of fans of the Armed Forces. To give those visitors an idea on what the military equipment, weapons and gear look like, our troops demonstrated both static and dynamic shows. The public's interest was perked high: 400 liters of military goulash were served to some 1.600 visitors.
● A ceremonial change of guards at the helm of the Staff for Strategic Planning and Capability Development of the General Staff took place on June 29. Both Deputy Chiefs of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Miroslav Kocian and Lt. Gen. Jaroslav Vývlek, and members staff witnessed the inauguration of Brig. Gen. Josef Pokorný, who replaced Brig. Gen. Ľubomír Svoboda. As of July 1, 2012 Svoboda has been appointed the Commander of the TSF. ● On June 28 troops from the Prešov Helicopter Wing took part in an exercise at Zemplínska šírava. Members of the paratroop and rescue services practiced swift SAR techniques and emergency jumps into water. Assisting the exercise were two Mi-17 helicopters piloted by Maj. Peter Fabišik and our first female pilot Lt. Miriama Štefaničová. ● Commander of the Stationary Communication and Information Systems Col. Ľubomír Gacko honored Lance-Corporal Jaroslav Miklánek for exemplary and honorable conduct. Miklánek is a multiple blood donor and the Slovak Red Cross has awarded him the Gold Dr. Janský Plaque for 40 voluntary blood donations.
U.S. Military Attaché honored (June 28) The Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek met with the U.S. Military Attaché Lt. Col. Terry L. Anderson on the occasion of the completion of his mission in Slovakia. He also welcomed the new U.S. Military Attaché in Slovakia, Lt. Col. Larry D. Harrison. Lt. Gen Vojtek awarded Lt. Col. Anderson the Badge of the Chief of the General Staff of the1st Order and thanked him for the excellent cooperation in the past years.
Minister Glváč responds to articles in the SME daily “Secret meeting at the MoD! They buy new aircraft! claimed last week the SME daily, trying to put in doubt the efforts of the current MoD leadership to maintain transparency. Let me respond to such allegations in order to put the matter at rest. On request made by the Alenia Aeronautica company, which in 2008 won the tender for supplying transport aircraft to Slovakia, a meeting was held at the MoD. Although I was not present at this meeting personally, MoD officials and Armed Forces representatives informed me that the Alenia Aeronautica representatives had expressed their interest to continue discussions on future deliveries of the airplanes in question. This is a renewal of talks on a strictly non-binding partnership base. The fact that those talks were closed to the public does not mean that they were kept secret! We did reach any agreement, did not make any deals and the issue is still open. Due to the lack of funds we currently have no plans to purchase the aircraft, no matter how much we might need them. However, we are making every effort to find a way to fund the purchase of the aircraft in the future. From the very day I took over at the MoD, I have concentrated all my efforts on mobilizing internal reserves within the MoD, while maintaining maximum transparency about our spending. My goal is to use such resources to support our Armed Forces.” Martin Glváč, Defense Minister
Military Forests Open to Public From July 1, Rules Must Be Observed (July 1) Military forests on the territory of the Military Districts Záhorie and Valaškovce are open to public starting July 1. The citizens no longer need a permit to enter the forest. They must, however, observe the rules set by the amended Act on Military Districts. MoD will not be responsible for any harm and/or other damages, which might be incurred by individuals due to their failure to abide by the prohibitions laid down in this Act. The MoD emphasizes that the military forest is not a classical tourist area, but rather an area with an increased safety risk. Even after July 1 the Military Districts shall be off limits to civil persons during military exercises. Obtaining the information on whether or not such exercises are taking place, or whether access to the Military Districts is temporarily restricted due to other reasons set by law, shall be the sole responsibility of the individuals wishing to enter the forest. Information
may be obtained either in person or by phone at the Municipal Office of municipalities adjacent to the Military District area. This information shall also be made available on notice boards of such municipalities and on the MoD website www.mosr.sk. Failure to abide by the ban on entry may result in a fine of up to 500 EUR. The public is under obligation to respect regulations set by notice boards, traffic signs or pictograms displayed throughout the Military District. All visitors to the Military Districts are also obliged to respect any guidance provided by the personnel responsible for keeping the order and safety in the Military Districts. Citizens are forbidden to remain in Military Districts for more than 24 hours. Visitors must abide by all restrictions imposed by the law. Among others, it is forbidden to manipulate with found weaponry, ammunition, explosives and/or parts thereof; to enter into closed of
eBULLETIN MoD SR
fenced-off parts of the Military District and/or defense infrastructure; to make drawings, plans, photographs or videos of defense infrastructure; or to engage in activities which could result in damages to the public property in the Military District or in limitations and/or prevention of the fulfillment of tasks pertaining to the national defense and security. Under the Civil Code individuals are under obligation to pay for any damages incurred by the state with respect to the Military Districts. For detailed information on the amended law and the link to the full wording of the Act (in Slovak), see http://www.mosr.sk/nove-pravidlapre-vstup-do-vojenskych-obvodov/.
June 25 - July 1, 2012