Croatian National DCM flag ceremony
The flag ceremony, marking the integration of the National Deployable Communications Module into the NATO Force Structure was held in front of the Ministry of Defence’s headquarters in Zagreb on 31 March 2014.
The ceremony was attended by the Croatian Chief of the General Staff, General Drago Lovrić on behalf of the Croatian Armed Forces, by Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, General Jean-Paul Paloméros and the Commander of the NATO CIS Group, General Thomas Franz on NATO’s behalf.
General Lovrić emphasised the symbolic procedure of the flag handover, as five years ago Croatia acceded NATO and on that day NATO symbolically accedes to Croatia. „Croatia is marking its five years of membership in NATO these days, and last month we marked our 11th Anniversary of participation in the leading NATO’s Operation“, stated General Lovrić.
General Palomeros commended Croatia’s readiness, particularly in the „Smart Defence“ initiative. “I am confident that working jointly we can successfully deal with everything”, said General Palomeros.
General Thomas Franz emphasised the importance of Croatia’s membership in NATO Alliance.
The Croatian national Deployable Communications Module is a company-size military specialist unit composing the backbone of the NATO’s CIS system in NATO-led operations. Its task is to provide communications capability among the operational command post and the Supreme Commander and directly subordinated commanders.
The Croatian Deployable Communications Module has been established in the Croatian Army, from the 2nd Signal Regiment. It is composed of one officer and 55 NCOs and will be stationed in the „Pukovnik Marko Živković“ Barracks at Pleso near Zagreb. The initial readiness of the Croatian DCM is to be acquired by late 2014, while Full Operationall Readiness is expected by the end of 2017.
On the occasion of the flag handover to the HRV DCM, Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović held a meeting with the delegation of the NATO Allied Command of Transformation on 31 March 2014. He extended appreciation to General Paloméros for visiting Croatia, and emphasised the fifth anniversary of entry into NATO as a date of huge importance for the country. The Minister also informed the ACT delegation on the numerous defence reforms under way, carried out to further enhance the Croatian Armed Forces’ readiness.
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