Special Operations Battalion marks 14th anniversary
The Special Operations Battalion of the Croatian Armed Forces’ General Staff marked its 14th anniversary in the “Drgomalj” Barracks in Delnice on 5 September , on which occasion Colonel Dražen Ressler handed over the command of the Battalion to Lieutenant Colonel Perica.
The anniversary ceremony was attended by the present and the former members of the Battalion, the Envoy of the Chief of the General Staff, Vice admiral Ante Urlić, the Commanders of the services and other units of the Croatian Armed Forces, representatives of the Military Diplomatic Corps and of the Ministry of the Interior of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.
The anniversary marking programme commenced with a mass served for the fallen defenders and members of the Battalion in the Sveti Ivan Church in Delnice, followed by laying of wreaths and lighting the candles below the cross near the Memorial chamber dedicated to 74 members of special operations units fallen in the Homeland War.
The Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Vice admiral Urlić extended congratulations to the members of the Battalion, which has over the past 14 years grown into an elite unit of “excellently trained professionals”.
The departing commander, Colonel Ressler extended congratulations to all members of the Battalion and advised them to continue developing and upgrading their capabilities. Colonel Ressler highlighted the Battalion’s engagement in the international exercise and peace support operations. “Training – safe, demanding and battle-focussed training, is your imperative and the only choice, and the human dimension is more important than the assets and equipment”, said Colonel Ressler, and also recommended the continuation of the commando training and education as a guarantee for the future Special Operations Command.
Congratulating his soldiers on the anniversary, the newly designated Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Perica Turalija pledged to lead the Battallion nurturing a spirit of elite and superbely trained unit. “The entrusted duty binds me to set and achieve top special forces standards”.
The commanders’ addresses were followed by the award of decorations, prizes and commendations to the meriting members, and by the static display of the equipment used by the Battalion in the exercise of its tasks.
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