2nd HRVCON sent-off to UNIFIL

The send-off ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević  as Envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović as the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces,  by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General  Mirko Šundov, by the special advisor to the Defence Minister Božo Kožul, by the U.S. Defence Attaché to Croatia Colonel Robert Mathers, by the Mayor of Karlovac Damir Mandić and by the delegations of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević emphasised that Croatia from a  recipient of international assistance  has evolved into n assistance provider, and that the participation in peace operations was one of the key facilitators of NATO and the EU membership. The Croatian Armed Forces displayed their strength acquired during the Homeland War  both in the international activities and in military exercises, such as the recent “Velebit 18 – Joint Force”.

“At the Velebit 18 Exercise”, the “home and international public have had the opportunity to see that the Croatian Armed Forces belonged among the best“.

The Minister  said he believed the members of the 2nd HRVCON would perform their tasks with equal success as in the “Velebit 18” Exercise.

“Your trainedness, equippedness and motivation instill confidence and that you are going to fulfill the task professionally and responsibly, to the pride of our country. I believe that this mission will serve to enhance interoperability and to upgrade your capabilities as well”.

The Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov expressed the conviction that the 2nd HRVCON members would perform their tasks as successfully as the previous contingents and acquire new knowledge that will add significantly to the development of the Croatian Armed Forces.

UNIFIL is a demanding operation, and I expect you to fulfill  your tasks professionally, strictly observing  the  security procedures and minding your colleagues safety“, said Brig. Gen. Šerić.

Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Croatian Army, Brigadier General Boris Šerić, commended the 2nd HRVCON for the professional pre-deployment  and stressed that missions entailed the most valuable experience.

“Your unit will not be the same on its return from the mission; it will be richer for a 6-month intense experience in a multinational environment, and the acquired knowledge will be invaluable for the development of your abilities,” said Brig. Gen. Šerić.

“We are proudly continuing the engagement of our predecessors in the UNIFIL ; the peace support operation is a challenge and an opportunity to prove ourselves again as a competent unit“, said the Commander of the Engineer Company of the 2nd  HRVCON to UNIFIL, Captain Ivan Dodig speaking on behalf of the Contingent amnd extended appreciation to all those who provided support during the preparation for the mission.

The send off also featured a static display in the Barracks “Kamensko” and a mass recited in the chapel by f Ivan Blaževac.

The 2nd HRVCON to UNIFIL is composed of 52 members of the Engineer Regiment of the Croatian Army, and will be deployed for seven months, to provide  force protection, support  to  mobility in the area, to ensure smooth strategic and tactical communication and providing all other types of support to the UNIFIL (Sector West) jointly with the Italian Armed Forces.

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