During the visit, the students were given an overview of military diplomacy, the NATO alliance, and the Ministry of Defence’s mission and scope of work.

In their lectures, employees of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Policy Department, Defence Attaché Colonel Davor Kopanji and Head of the Defence Policy Sector Kristijan Beljan discussed NATO’s organisation, goals, and activities, emphasising the value of military diplomacy and international defence cooperation in light of today’s security challenges. They also discussed prospects for individual professional growth in the field of diplomacy as well as the duties of a defence attaché.

Additionally, the necessity for constant development of international relations was stressed, along with the need to avoid conflicts, safeguard national interests, promote the Republic of Croatia’s stance and positively portray one’s own armed forces.

Furthermore, students were informed about the Croatian Armed Forces’ participation in NATO missions and operations abroad.

On behalf of the students, Vice President of Libertas International University’s Diplomatic Club Marin Deković expressed his satisfaction with the visit and the lectures, which provided students with first-hand information about work in the Ministry of Defence and military diplomacy in an approachable, engaging, and open manner.

Objava Students of Libertas International University paid a visit to the Ministry of Defence as part of the We are NATO campaign pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

After signing the minutes on the transfer of command between former Commader Navy Captain Jakus and newly appointed Commander of the Split Naval Base Navy Captain Vlade Zoko, the Croatian Navy Commander Commodore Dojkić thanked both of them for their honourable and dedicated work and expressed his belief that they will carry out their tasks with the same dedication on new duties as well.

Navy Captain Željko Jakus was born on 26 August 1966 in Trogir. On 15 September 1991, he voluntarily joined the defence of the sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia as a member of the crisis headquarters unit of the Marina Local Community. On 19 January 1992 he joined the CAF active duty component.

During and after the end of the Homeland War, he held a number of positions in the CAF, from Assistant Commander for Logistics at the Centre for Education and Training of Soldiers and Sailors in Pula, Commander of the ship’s power unit on board Šibenik RTOP-21, maintenance officer at the Command of the Fleet Attack Division of the Croatian Navy, ship’s systems maintenance officer in the Fleet Surface Action Division of the Croatian Navy, ship’s systems maintenance officer in the Maintenance Section of the Croatian Navy Command, Head of Section for ship’s maintenance and of other technical material resources in N-4 Department of the Croatian Navy Command, to Head of the N-4 Department of the Croatian Navy Command. Since July 2022 he has held the position of Commander of the Split Naval Base.

The Navy Captain Jakus graduated from the Naval Military Academy in Split in 1991 gaining a degree in Marine Engineering. In Zagreb, he graduated from the Blago Zadro Command and Staff School (2011) and the Ban Josip Jelačić War College (2016). He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1992, to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1995, to the rank of Navy LT in 2001, to the rank of LT Commander in 2004, to the rank of Commander in 2007, to the rank of Navy Captain in 2014.

For his work, Navy Captain Jakus received a number of commendations and awards from Commander-in-Chief of the CAF, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, Chief of the CAF General Staff, Deputy Chief of the CAF General Staff and Commander of the Croatian Navy. He was awarded the Homeland War Commemorative Decoration, the Homeland Gratitude Commemorative Decoration, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil and the Order of Ban Josip Jelačić.
Navy Captain Vlade Zoko was born on 19 June 1966 at Dugobabe, municipality of Klis. He joined the Armed Forces in October 1991, as a participant in the Homeland War. In the Croatian Navy, he held a number of commanding and leadership positions: Deputy Commander and Commander of the PT-71 boat, Commander of the Multi-Role Detachment, Deputy Commander and Acting Commander of the DBM-82 Krka ship, Commander of the Andrija Mohorovičić ŠB-72 ship, Deputy Commander of the1st Division of the Croatian Coast Guard, Head of the Coordination Department in Croatian Coast Guard Command, Commander of the Support Division of the Croatian Navy Flotilla, Commander of the 2nd Division of the Croatian Coast Guard, Commander of Vargarola Barracks in Pula and Deputy Commander of the Split Naval Base. He was promoted to the rank of Navy Captain in 2019.

Navy Captain Zoko graduated from the Maritime Faculty in Split gaining a master’s degree in Maritime Management. He completed the Advanced Officer Course in 2007 in the United States (USCG IMOC), and Inter-service Command and Staff School in 2010 at the Dr. Franjo Tuđman CDA in Zagreb. He also contributed to peace support operations. He participated in the UN mission “Western Sahara – MINURSO” in 2012/2013 and was appointed Commander of the 1st Croatian contingent (1st HRVCON) in the EU operation “TRITON 2015” in the Mediterranean.

He was awarded the Homeland War Commemorative Decoration, the Order of Croatian Braid, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil and the Croatian Army Gold Medal, and was repeatedly commended by Commander of the Croatian Navy, Chief of the CAF GS and the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia.

Objava Transfer of command between Commander of the Split Naval Base and Chief of Staff – Deputy Commander of the Croatian Navy pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

During the 13th HRVCON rotation within the Battle Group Poland, the 12th HRVCON Commander, Major Ivo Koščević handed over the national flag to the 13th HRVCON Commander, Major Ivica Bešlić.

The current HRVCON under the command of Major Ivica Bešlić comprises 69 members, the majority of whom are members of the Artillery and Missile Regiment of the Croatian Army, including members of the Croatian Defence Academy, the Support Command, the Cyber Command and the Intelligence Regiment.

The handover ceremony between the 12th and 13th HRVCONs started with playing the Croatian national anthem, and was followed by a minute of silence to pay respect to the memory of all fallen and missing Croatian Homeland war veterans. After the handover of the national flag, HRVCON Commanders addressed the ceremony attendees.

The Commander of Battle Group Poland, Colonel Timothy W. Decker, praised the work and cooperation of the 12th HRVCON with other allies within the Battle Group. He emphasised that the Croatian forces achieved a high level of interoperability, saying that he hoped the 13th HRVCON would continue such successful cooperation.

On this occasion, members of the 12th HRVCON received an award from Commander of Battle Group Poland Colonel Timothy W. Decker for winning the first place in the Iron Panther Challenge, a military sports competition organized by the U.S. contingent in November 2023.

The 12th HRVCON Commander, Major Ivo Koščević thanked Colonel Timothy W. Decker. He praised excellent cooperation between HRVCON members and other members of the Battle Group, saying that he was proud of all the members of the 12th HRVCON who showed high motivation and success in carrying out their tasks.

The 13th HRVCON Commander, Major Ivica Bešlić, thanked the 12th HRVCON for its successful work and successful cooperation with other members of the Battle Group, adding that in the future he expects 13th HRVCON to carry out its tasks with the same level of quality as the previous HRVCON members.

Colonel Adam Koniuk, the Deputy Commander of the 15th Mechanised Brigade, comprising Battle Group Poland, emphasised a significant contribution that the Croatian members made to the Battle Group and the entire Brigade, saying that he believes they will continue to carry out all of their tasks successfully, professionally and with high quality as it is expected of Armed Force members to do so.

The ceremony was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Poland, Tomislav Vidošević and the Defence Attaché to the Republic of Poland, Captain Joško Šantić. They thanked all the members of the 12th HRVCON for successful completion of their tasks and wished the 13th HRVCON members success in carrying out their tasks.

Objava HRVCONs’ rotation within the NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Poland pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Beside participants from Croatian Air Forces and Special Operations Forces Command, this training was supported by other units from Croatian Armed Forces, including Croatian Army.
MSAP TC is a training facility established in December 2019 with the aim of conducting academic and flight training of the Special Aviation Units, enabling participating nations to reach the assigned NATO Capability Targets in a cost-effective manner.I t is one of the High Visibility Projects (HVPs) in which, through academic and flight training, helicopter aircrews are trained to carry out special air operations in support of special forces. In addition to the Republic of Croatia as a host nation, the founding countries of the Centre are Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia.

On Thursday, September 22, 2022, the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV Day) was held at the Barracks “Pukovnik Mirko Vukušić” at Zemunik and the Barracks “Josip Jović” at Udbina, attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Croatia H.E. Mrs. Genka Vasileva Gergieva, Counsellor, chargé d’affaires ad interim at the United States Embassy to the Republic of Croatia Mr. Mark Lewis Fleming, Defence Attaché of the Republic of Bulgaria Brigadier Yoan Veselinov Pavlov, representatives of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, air force and special forces commanders and their representatives from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia, and other distinguished guests.

During the training, the Mi-171Sh helicopter (Croatia), two AS 532 helicopters (Bulgaria and Slovenia) and the H145M helicopter (Hungary) were used. The Croatian Air Force’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters and Pilatus PC-9 aircraft also participated in the training segments.

Objava Joint Personnel Recovery Flight Training in MSAP TC pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The final ceremony was held on Friday, 25^th of May in the barracks “LtC Mirko Vukušić”, Zemunik Donji.

After MSAP TC had independently conducted the academic training events, this type of training was conducted in MSAP TC for the first time, with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of helicopter aircrews for flying in night conditions with the use of NVG devices.

The training was successfully completed by the pilots and door gunners from the 194th Multirole Helicopter Squadron from the 91st Wing of the Croatian Air Force with a support of the members of the Croatian Special Forces Command and the instructor team from the Republic of Poland which includes the instructor – pilot and the instructor – door gunner from the 7^th Special Operation Squadron / 7. EDS.

The training was comprised of the theory training, flight training and final evaluation in which the members of the 194^th Multirole Helicopter Squadron and members of the Croatian Special Forces Command had shown exceptional professionalism and success in completing their tasks. By successfully completing the training they reached the competences for using NVG devices in conducting their missions.

This extremely demanding training was fully conducted in night conditions on mountainous environment and is the first in the sequence of flight trainings that will be conducted with the purpose of training the helicopter aircrews for conducting the special air operations in Special Operation Air Task Units.

MSAP TC Director, COL Tomislav Pušnik emphasized the exceptional professional approach to the training by the members of the 194^th Multirole Helicopter Squadron, members and of the Croatian Special Forces Command and also the importance and contribution of the instructors from the Republic of Poland for this type of training. “One of the goals of this type of training activities carried in MSAP TC is reaching the requirements for the start of SOATU flight training planned in the upcoming period. Currently, flight training is conducted with Croatian helicopter crews and from the September 2022. there are other planned SOATU flight trainings for other MSAP Participating Nations (Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia)”, said COL Pušnik and pointed out that with this type of training activities organized by MSAP TC, with aircrews declared by the MSAP Participating Nations, each MSAP member is simultaneously developing their own national capabilities and capabilities on the NATO level.

“The importance of MSAP TC is clearly visible as it is perceived by the NATO as one of the “High Visibility Projects”, said COL Tomislav Pušnik reflecting back on the cooperation with the Polish Instructor Team and continuing support given to MSAP TC by the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ), SOCEUR, 160. SOAR and The United States of America, Republic of Poland and the Italian Republic.

Training participant, LtC Bernard Bartoluci, Commander of the Platoon for special air operations from the 194th Multirole Helicopter Squadron pointed out that this training is a logical sequence aimed for reaching and meeting the SOATU capability goals, accepted by the Croatian Armed Forces. After the completion of the academic trainings organized by MSAP TC and NSHQ we now have the conditions to start the flight training. “The members of the 194^th Multirole Helicopter Squadron are regularly conducting the basic flight training in night conditions, and through this type of training we acquired additional capabilities. All these techniques are very complex even when done during daytime, so the experience of Polish instructors was invaluable, along with exceptional professionalism and expertise of the members of the Croatian Special Forces Command”, said LtC Bernard Bartoluci.

Objava Advanced flight training with use of the Night Vision Googles in Multinational Special Aviation Programme Training Centre (MSAP TC) pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The air component of the 34th HRVCON KFOR B-rotation is manned by a total of 13 members of the Croatian Air Force

A handover of duties between the 14-member A rotation of the air component of the 34thHRVCON, which is to return to Croatia, and the 13-member B Rotation is to take place shortly.
It is a regular activity of rotation of the air component of the HRVCON, which takes place every few months.

Objava Air Component rotation in KFOR pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

During the ceremony the Commander of the Multinational Force Protection Company (MN FP Coy), which incorporated the 2nd Platoon, Captain Dirk Ferwerda (NL) handed over the Croatian flag of the Company Command to 2nd Lieutenant Danijel Ivančik, Commander of the 2nd Force Protection Platoon.

Cpt. Ferwerda in his address shared his pride and honour over commanding Croatian soldiers and expressed appreciation to all members of the Platoon for their contribution and professionalism in their service. Cpt. Ferwerda also presented Private First Class Tomislav Virovac , proclaimed the best performing member of the MN Company for August 2020 with the award “Warrior of the Month” before the Platoon.

Objava Term closed for 2nd Force Protection Platoon at Camp Marmal pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The practice featured aerial search of downed pilots using a specialised S&R HC-130J Combat King aircraft and a rescue operation using the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, and also the practice of combat search and rescue of air crews and the close air support with live firing.

In the practice event scenario a part of the Croatian forces simulated the opposing forces searching for downed pilots, and the Croatian Armed Forces’ instructors of Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape from the dangerous area were engaged as evasion advisors to the pilots of the 555th Fighter Squadron.

During the simulated combat search and rescue operation the joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC)  teams of the Croatian Armed Forces provided close air support directing the fires of two HH-60G helicopters and four F-16CM aircraft.

The  HH-60G helicopters engaged ground targets with 12,7 x 99 mm GAU-18 machines, while the  F-16CM engaged targets with 20-mmM-61 Vulcan guns.
The event was an opportunity for the air crews to practice the procedures and target engaging precision in an unknown terrain. The specificity of close air support consists in the interaction of the horizontal and vertical dimensions and in the challenge of integration of each air attack with the fires and the units’ manoeuvre on the ground.

The close air support practice activity served as a regular JTAC and JTAC instructor evaluation by a qualified JTAC, which was a part of the regular Croatian Armed Forces’ JTAC qualification maintenance according to NATO standards. In order to retain their qualification, each JTAC needs to conduct a set number of close air support control events of a defined type to be able to support a manoeuvre unit he is assigned to.

The international training events of the kind offer an excellent opportunity to re-establish interoperability and mutually develop capabilities through the exchange of experiences and of lessons learned.

Objava Croatian and the U. S. forces train jointly within the “Chimera Ruin” pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Congratulating the graduates the State Secretary for Defence Tomislav Ivić as Envoy of the Prime Minister presented the future development of the Croatian Defence Academy, prepared for by the adoption of the Act on the Founding of the Defence and Security University. “We have also directed our efforts on the upgrade and building of new infrastructure in the Croatian Defence Academy, as evidenced by the new accommodation facility and the upgraded sporting facilities, and we are also building a congress centre, with the support by the Croatian Government, to provide the future University with a modern campus”, concluded State Secretary Ivić.

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović extended congratulations on the successful completion of the education:
“You have now completed solid and strict education programmes and will be assigned to your units and missions in Croatia and within the international military co-operation and collective defence activities. In a year’s time the world will be even tighter connected but also more complicated, making your role of guarding the Croatian independence and sovereignty more demanding, but also serene and admired, I hope, and a path for creating your careers and families”, said President Milanović.
The Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj stated that the students’ profiles themselves reflected the focus on life-long learning. “I am pleading with you to be ambitious in your future career, to set high aims and strive for excellence, stated Admiral Hranj, sharing his pride over the Croatian Defence Academy’s prospective transformation into a modern educational and research institution.

Bidding welcome to the students and visitors, the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy Major General Mate Pađen stressed that the past academic year was particularly challenging in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquake, which forced the Academy to adjust the training process within short time to enable the students to complete their education.

A total of 177 students successfully completed their training at military schools (155 members of the Croatian Armed Forces, a student from the Ministry of the Interior and a student from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs respectively, a student from the Croatian Fire Association and 19 foreign students of officer and NCO schools (ten students from Bosnia and Herzegovina , three students from Montenegro, three students from North Macedonia , two students from Slovenia and one student from the Republic of Kosovo.
The ceremony featured a ceremonial drill by the Honorary Battalion and performances by the Croatian Navy Vocal Ensemble ”Sveti Juraj“ and by the Croatian Armed Forces Orchestra.

Flickr: Photo Gallery

Objava Graduation ceremony for 177 students of the education programmes of the Croatian Defence Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman“ pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

In his opening address NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered a report on COVID -19, presenting NATO’s achievements in response to the pandemic and the key role of the armed forces of the member nations in support to civilian institutions.
The ministers discussed the geopolitical consequences of the crisis and the impact of the pandemic on NATO-led operations and missions and NATO’s response to disinformation and propaganda.

The ministers decided on NATO’s operational plan for a possible second wave of pandemics, featuring the establishing of a stockpile of medical equipment and supplies, and a fund aimed at urgent acquisition of medical supplies and services. They also agreed to update NATO guidelines for national resilience taking into account cyber threats, the security of supply chains, and consequences of foreign ownership and control. The document ensures the member nations’ better preparedness in the event of new crises and swifter recovery from the present ones.

State Secretary for Defence Jakop in his contribution stated that the COVID-19 pandemic was a unique opportunity to test and upgrade the Croatian crisis management system. The State Secretary also emphasised Croatia’s timely and efficient response to the crisis, and the resulting high number of cured patients and diminished new incidence, and also that the members of the Croatian Armed Forces deployed in operations and missions had to be provided the proper medical care, reliable COVID-19 tests and protective equipment.

The session was important for the Republic of Croatia in the light of the outcome of the national response to COVID -19, and of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU, featuring the intensified NATO-EU co-operation.


Objava NATO defence ministers adopt plans to respond to COVID 19 pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The ministers also continued the discussion on strategic issues related to European security and defence, which was addressed during the informal ministers meeting held in Zagreb in March 2020, and also underlined the need for continued efforts on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the forthcoming Strategic Review of PESCO and the European Defence Fund and Military Mobility.
State Secretary Jakop welcomed the progress of the EU defence initiatives, and stated that the efforts related to the Strategic Compass as a new initiative should prompt a review of the existing documents and procedures related to the EU defence and the proposals to amend them, coupled with maintained coherence and complementarity and enhanced NATO-EU cooperation.
The Croatian State Secretary for Defence also emphasised that the establishment of the European Defence Fund during the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework created various opportunities for the development of defence capabilities, and that Croatia advocated the inclusion of small and middle-sized enterprise, which contributed to employment and economic development.
The EU defence ministers meeting was preceded by a meeting of the European Defence Agency Steering Board, which discussed the future operation and development of the Agency. State Secretary Jakop pledged support to the Agency and the newly appointed Executive Director Jiří Šedivý and extended appreciation to the EDA for the support provided during the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Flickr: Photo Gallery

Objava State Secretary for Defence attends EU defence ministers video-conference pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Vice Admiral Davorin Kajić was born on 13 August 1937 in Hrvatska Kostajnica. After graduating from the Naval School in Bakar also graduated from the JNA Naval Academy in 1955. He also graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of the University of Zagreb and was employed at the Submarine Design Department of the Naval Institute in Zagreb, and as submarine technology researcher, specialising in submarine design.
His first project, after participation in design documents, submarine building supervision and prototype tests with the Heroj-class submarine, was combat divers submersibleR-2 in 1970, followed by the Una-class submarine in 1978.

V Adm Kajić was also a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Construction and was Assistant Minister of Transportation for Naval Architecture.
V Adm Kajić joined the Croatian Army in May 1993, and exercised various duties in the Croatian Navy Command. He was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral in 1995, and from 1996 until the retirement in 2002 exercised the duty of Assistant Chief of the General Staff for the Navy.
V Adm Kajić was a holder of the Memorial Medal of the Homeland War and of the Memorial Medal of Homeland Gratitude, of the Order of the Croatian Trefoil, of the Order of Ante Starčević, of the Order of Ban Josip Jelačić, of the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski and Red of Duke Domagoj with Neck Badge.

Flickr: Photo Gallery

Objava Memorial for VAdm Kajić pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

They first visited the premises of the Istria County Fire Association, where the Commander of the Dino Kozlevac, presented the fire-fighting organisation in the County and underlined the excellent co-operation with the Ministry of Defence.

The members of the Civil Protection Headquarters presented the COVID 19 preventive activities.
The delegations also met with the acting Prefect of the Istria County Fabio Radin and with the Mayor of Pula Boris Miletić.
State Secretary Ivić praised the co-operation for the part of the Ministry of Defence and congratulated the Civil Protection Headquarters of the Istria County for the successful crisis management during the COVID-19 situation.
“The headquarters of the Istria County did an excellent job, ensuring a favourable situation in Croatia compared to the countries in our neighbourhood. We can be proud of what the Homeland Security Situation has achieved over the past months”, said the Secretary of State.

The Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Admiral Hranj praised the opportunity to assist the local community when necessary.

“Thanks to the operation of the expert services and the co-operation at all levels, from the national down to the municipal level, in emergency situations our system works the best possible”, said Prefect Radin.
Mayor Miletić addressed appreciations too: “The expertise of our people and the unity of the citizens are the strength of Istria. We showed again our ability to respond to the most difficult situations, protecting health and lives of our citizens”. The Mayor of Pula also underlined the excellent co-operation with the Ministry of Defence, which is demining the area of Vallelunga in Pula.

The senior officials also visited the Public Firefighter Unit Pula, and observed the presented capabilities, and then the Junior Firefighter Camp in Fažana.
The Chief Firefighter Commander in the Republic of Croatia said over 1,000 children aged 12-16 take the training at the Camp every year.
The officials concluded their visit touring the Firefighters Training Centre at Šapjane, where the members of the Engineer Regiment of the Croatian Army have been carrying out works assisting the Fire-fighting Association of the Primorje – Gorski Kotar County. The observed the demonstration exercise with the Flashover containers simulating indoor fires

By engaging its engineer resources the Croatian Armed Forces continue their active support to civilian institutions, which is one of their primary missions.

Flickr: Photo Gallery

Objava State Secretary Ivić and Chief of GS Hranj visit firefighting associations pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Major Žukina: Congratulations to members of 5th HRVCON for top performance

The Commander of the 5th Croatian Contingent Major Marijan Žukina, addressed the members of the Contingent: “I congratulate the 5th HRVCON on top performance of tasks in specific conditions marked by the pandemic and on dignified presenting the unit and of the Republic of Croatia. I wish a successful mission and safe return on its completion”.

Captain Burazer: We are here to carry out the task in an international environment and to acquire new experience

Having congratulated the members of the 5th Contingent on successful mission, the Commander of the 6th HRVCON to NATO EFP Captain Antonio Burazer said: “We are here to carry out the task in an international environment and to acquire new experience with our colleagues from the armed forces of the U.S., of the UK, of Romania and of Poland.
The 6th HRVCON is deployed to Poland alongside the U.S., the U. K. and Romanian forces within one of four Battlegroups that serve as a concrete implementation of the concept o NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP), stationed in member countries along the eastern borders (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

The 6th HRVCON within the BG – Poland is composed of 80 members (six females) women. The main part is manned by the Artillery and Missile Battalion of the Guards Mechanised Brigade of the Croatian Army, with the MRLS “VULKAN” Battery, who are augmented by the staff officers, a Military Police team, a CIS team and a NSE.

Flickr: Photo Gallery

Objava Duty handover from 5th and 6th HRVCON to EFP in Poland pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The training activity “SERRATED EDGE” is taking place in the Training Range “Eugen Kvaternik” near Slunj and in the Barracks Josip Jović at Udbina from 20 – 31 January 2020.

The Exercise has engaged some 300 members of the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion-Airborne (BEB) of the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team-Airborne – IBCT(A)) of the USAREUR), and its objective is certification of platoons/squads and the allied armed forces manoeuvre formations practice.

“This is a co-operation between the U.S. Army who are taking a training and the Croatian Armed Forces who provide support, presently with an engineer platoon, and later with a mortar platoon of the Croatian Army. We have cooperated with 173rd Brigade for the second year already, they were here on a similar training activity last year”, explains Lieutenant Colonel Andrija Žarinac, Head of Exercise Coordination, Observation and Reporting Team.

“Today we have seen a successful landing by 163 paratroopers”,said Sergeant First Class Zachary Moore, who monitored the conditions for the Exercise from the ground, noting that he was very pleased with the support provided by the Croatian Army during the exercise.

The training activities to be conducted in the Barracks “Josip Jović” at Udbina include the placing of wire obstacles, minefield setting, repair of runway craters and the construction of anti-tank trenches.

In the “Eugen Kvaternik” Range the participants will practice element and material demolition, barrier system reaching, construction of passages in the minefields, a Live-Fire Exercise (LFX) at the squad level, as well as preparation of fighting positions.

The Croatian Armed Forces are providing Host Nation Support and Real Life Support and are represented by an engineer platoon of the Guards Mechanised Brigade of the Croatian Army (60 members), and by one helicopter of the Croatian Air Force providing MEDEVAC.

The Host Nation Support comprises a series of activities as a synergy of civilian and military entities, adhering to the legislation of the Republic of Croatia, the national interests and the declared capabilities of the Republic of Croatia as Host Nation, and is an important contributor in each operation or exercise.

Objava Paratroopers land at Barracks “Josip Jović” during EX SERRATED EDGE pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

On the session agenda were IT trends and their impact on the Homeland Security System and the draft Annual Plan of the Homeland Security System Co-ordination for the year 2020.
The Co-ordination adopted the draft Annual Plan of the Homeland Security System for the year 2020.

The Chairman of the Homeland Security System, Minister Damir Krstičević emphasised that the most important outcome of the Homeland Security System was the raised awareness on the importance of security in the largest portion of the society and their motivation to provide their own contributions to the operation of the homeland security system.

The participants underlined the achievements of the Homeland Security System over the past two years, namely the procedure to upgrade the fire service system, through a Fire Service Bill inaugurating the Croatian Firefighting Association as a central government administration body responsible for fire protection in the Republic of Croatia as of 1 January 2020; the establishment of the Operational Firefighter Command at Divulje and the conduct of the interdepartmental Exercise “SIGURNOST 19” as preparation for the firefighter season 2019; the upgraded cyber defence capabilities; the establishment of the Cyber Space Command and the conduct of the Exercise “KIBERNETIČKI ŠTIT 19” (Cyber Shield 19); the procurement of the ORBITER 3 UAVs used in the firefighter seasons and fisheries control and surveillance.

The participants underlined the achievements of the Homeland Security System over the past two years, namely the procedure to upgrade the fire service system, through a Fire Service Bill inaugurating the Croatian Firefighting Association as a central government administration body responsible for fire protection in the Republic of Croatia as of 1 January 2020; the establishment of the Operational Firefighter Command at Divulje and the conduct of the interdepartmental Exercise “SIGURNOST 19” as preparation for the firefighter season 2019; the upgraded cyber defence capabilities; the establishment of the Cyber Space Command and the conduct of the Exercise “KIBERNETIČKI ŠTIT 19” (Cyber Shield 19); the procurement of the ORBITER 3 UAVs used in the firefighter seasons and fisheries control and surveillance.

In 2019 Croatia hosted the first international conference on homeland security and crisis management and the conference titled “Fires in Croatia: Protection and Prevention 2020″.

Objava 4th Session of Co-ordination for Homeland Security System pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The display kicks off with a flypast by two Pilatus PC-9M aircraft, followed by arrival of two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters conducting area surveillance.

Following the infiltration with motor vehicles and helicopters, the Special Forces Command (40 members) will establish a Tactical Operations Centre (TOC).

The infiltration by two Mi-171Sh helicopters will be followed by a request for Close Combat Attack (CCA) by OH 58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters, directed by Joint Terminal Attack Controller from a forward position.

As soon as the conditions allow, the forces will be exfiltrated by air on board of two Mi-171Sh helicopters, and the Special Forces Command forces will be infiltrated by land vehicles.

The Exercise will conclude with a demonstration of capabilities of halt of vehicles in movement with two Mi-171Sh helicopters, supervised by two OH-58D helicopters.

Objava Display of capabilities of the Croatian air force and the special forces command pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The delegation headed by the Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brigadier General Michael Križanec laid wreaths at the memorial monument to Rudolf Perešin, and a honorary flypast with Pilatus aircraft was performed by the pilots of the 93rd Wing.

The main ceremony was attended by Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brigadier General Michael Križanec, by the Commander of the 93rd Wing Colonel Željko Ninić, by the Commander of the Croatian Air Force Training Centre Colonel Goran Huljev, by the Director of the Multinational Special Aviation (MSAP) Training Centre Lieutenant Colonel Tomislav Pušnik, the staff of the Croatian Air Force Training Centre and representatives of other units of the Barracks at Zemunik.

Brigadier General Michael Križanec: Busy ceremony marking the anniversary of the Croatian Air Force

The Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brigadier General Michael Križanec congratulated the Training Centre staff and stressed that the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces worked continuously to upgrade the living and working conditions in the Croatian Armed Forces. “Rudolf Perešin was a man who possessed a strong sense of duty, for whom the Croatian people and Croatia were absolute priorities”.

The Commander announced the opening of the Multinational Special Aviation Programme Training Centre (MSAP TC) on 11 December 2019 and formal marking of the Croatian Air Force Day on 12 December, featuring an exhibition dedicated to Rudolf Perešin.

Brig. Gen. Križanec emphasised that the forthcoming events were of high importance for the Croatian Air Force and announced a presentation of the web page www.vojnipilot.hr:
“It is a progress the promotion of military pilot profession”.

Colonel Huljev: The Training Centre named in honour of a hero of the Homeland War that Rudolf Perešin was has the solid ground to train the future generations of pilots, on which the ethical values of soldiers, NCOs and officers are based.

Col. Huljev also summarised the achievements of the Training Centre in the past year, and underlined the Centre’s staff’s professionalism and credibility.

“Our goal for the upcoming period in the Training Centre is to recruit new young staff who will continue building the Centre forward with their enthousiasm and new ideas”, said Colonel Huljev.

New Commander of the 93rd Wing Colonel Ninić: Fully focussed on performance

The new Commander of the 93rd Wing of the Croatian Air Force Colonel Željko Ninić said the Wing was ready for the upcoming events and all other assigned tasks.

Exhibition “The Return of the Victor – in Memory of Rudolf Perešin”

The Commander of the Croatian Air Force Training Centre Colonel Goran Huljev said the year 2020 would be remembered for Rudolf Perešin and the project “The Return of the Winner”.

Colonel Huljev announced the exhibition “The Return of the Winner– in Memory of Rudolf Perešin” will be set up on the occasion of the Air Force Day in the Training Centre and formally opened by Perešin’s wife Ljerka. “The Exhibition will be an opportunity for everybody who knew Rudolf Perešin to remember his heroic feat for which we are much obliged and which remains a huge motive and inspiration for new pilots for new challenges”.

The Director of MSAP Lt. Col. Pušnik: Three factors in favour of the Barracks at Zemunik as the location of MSAP Training Centre – its geographic location, weather conditions and the capacities available.

The Director of MSAP Lt. Col. Tomislav Pušnik announced the opening of the Multinational Special Aviation Programme Training Centre (MSAP TC ) on 11 December 2019. “MSAP TC is a unique multinational project of the Croatian Armed Forces; Croatia is a Host Nation of the Training Centre, and other member nations are Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia. The three factors in favour of the Barracks at Zemunik as the location of MSAP Training Centre were its geographic location, weather conditions and the capacities available”.

Objava Croatian Air Force and Training Centre Day marked at Zemunik pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Objava Minister Krstičević and General Šundov meet with U.S. Defense Attaché pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The lecture was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, by the Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy Major General Mate Pađen, by the Defence and National Security Advisor to the President Zrinko Petener and by the heads of the departments of the Croatian Defence Academy.

The President addressed the challenges in the global and regional security environment and the challenges posed before leaders in the 21st century, as well as ethical dilemmas of leaders and underlined the moral values of the Croatian defenders.

The lecture was video transmitted for the cadets of the Military Maritime Studies in the Barracks ni “Fleet Admiral Sveto Letica – Barba” in Split.

Objava President delivers lecture on leadership for cadets of CDA pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.