12 Anniversary of Special Operations Battalion

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić, Military Ordinary Bishop Juraj Jezerinac and Support Command Commander Major General Mate Ostović.

The program began in the morning in the Church of St John the Baptist in Delnice where Military Ordinary Bishop Juraj Jezerinac served a Holy Mass. The service was followed by the laying of wreaths for the deceased members of Special Operations Forces of the General Staff, Ministry of Defence and the 1^st Croatian Guard Brigade at the memorial cross in the “Drgomalj” Barracks in Delnice.

The central part of the ceremony was also held in “Drgomalj” Barracks. Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić addressed the SOF servicemen, stressing that during the past years they profiled in the fully equipped and well-trained troops. “Well trained, precise, adaptable to all conditions and every request, you are professionals in every sense of the word”, General Lovrić said. Lovrić also touched upon on a rich and fruitful international cooperation conducted by the unit, its merit for international recognition of the Armed Forces, the legacy from the Homeland War as a guideline, as well as future transformation of SOF “that will continue to develop as an important part of the Croatian Armed Forces”.

Special Operations Battalion (BSD) Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dražen Ressler, when reading the history of the unit, said that the BSD, besides people, tasks and equipment of the units of which it was formed, “took up the tradition, spirit and memory on the 74 deceased members which must be sufficient motivation to professional attitude towards work, the CAF and the Homeland”. The Commander positively evaluated current developments, and achievements of the unit, with the conclusion that the BSD was ready for the biggest challenges, and was hand in hand with the most powerful special operations forces, both in Europe and worldwide. BSD members showed this in international military operations in which they participated and participate. Talking about the challenges ahead, Lieutenant Colonel Ressler emphasized that the training of members have absolute priority, and the upcoming transformation should guarantee better operability, agility and freshness.

Chief of General Staff and BSD Commander also handed over promotions, rewards and commends to the most prominent troops servicemen.

Special Operations Battalion was formed on 8^th September 2000, by integrating 1^st Croatian Guards Brigade, an elite unit created in the Homeland War, and the Special Combat Skills Centre.