International Military Exercise “Štit“ DVD
The final day of the international live air target engaging exercise “ŠTIT 16”, which was also the Distinguished Visitors Day took place at the Rt Kamenjak“ Training Range at Premantura near Pula on 21 April 2016.
It was a joint event of the Croatian and of the Slovenian Armed Forces, conducted from 11 -21 April, with the purpose of demonstrating the combat operation trainedness and preparedness of the air defence units of the Croatian Army, of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, the Croatian Navy and the Support Command.
The Defence Minister Buljević expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the multidimensional exercise, demonstrating at once the high readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces, the excellent co-operation with the local community, the friendly relations with the partnership with the Republic of Slovenia and enhancing NATO in southeast Europe. “You have demonstrated the ability to protect the Croatian air space in compliance with the required standards“, said the Minister.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mirko Šundov congratulated the participants on the successfully completed firing “the exercise displayed the high level of readiness of the air defence branch of the Croatian Armed Forces. Lt. Gen. Šundov commended the co-operation with the Slovenian Armed Forces and expressed the hope in its extension.
Brigadier General Milan Žurman, the Commander of the Logistic Brigade of the Slovenian Armed Forces, congratulated the members of the Croatian Armed on excellent exercise outcome and shared the wish for a continued co-operation.
The Exercise was attended by Inspector General, Major General Slaven Zdilar, the commanders of the services of the Croatian Armed Forces, and the representatives of the Istria County and local authorities.
The Exercise “ŠTIT 16” engaged 626 members of the Croatian and of the Slovenian Armed Forces, who fired (LPRS) “S-2M” i (LPRS) “IGLA the light portable air defence systems. It is the longest-running exercise of the Croatian Armed Forces, conducted for the 22nd consecutive year. Since 2014 the Slovenian Armed Forces have taken part too giving it the international character, and it was entered in NATO Military Exercise Programme. The purpose of the Exercise is to test the interoperability in operations with NATO partners and is relevant for the implementation of Capabilty Targets of the Croatian Army and of the Armed Forces.
The Medulin Municipal Mayor Goran Buić presented the Defence Minister Josip Buljević with the Plaquette of the Medulin in recognition for the productive and traditional co-operation, during which the Croatian Armed Forces have provided support to the municipality of Medulin with a series of infrastructure works placing their resources at the service of the civilian community and upgrading its life quality.
The planed works for the current year entailed the access to the road in the port of Monte Kope, the access road to the beach at Crvene Stijene and the access clearways towards the transmitter tower at Borbolan in Medulin and in Vinkuran respectively, to be executed by the Engineer Regiment of the Croatian Army.
Minister Buljević in his turn expressed appreciation to the local community for the support stating “this is the best example of the co-operation between the local community and the Armed Forces to mutual benefit and satisfaction”.
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