Marking 27th anniversary of General Staff of CAF

A formal ceremony marking the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces was held in the Dom HV “Zvonimir” in Zagreb on 28 September  2018, attended by the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, the Envoy  and Defence and National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic Vlado Galić, the Chief of the General Staff General Mirko Šundov, the Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, the DIrector of the General Staff  Vice-Admiral Robert Hranj, the  U.S. Defence Attachéto Croatia, Colonel Robert Mathers, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces and visitors, among whom the former  chiefs of the General Staff, Staff General Anton Tus and Admiral Davor Domazet – Lošo.

Congratulating on the anniversary, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičevićemphasised that the Croatian Army, born during the Homeland War, in hardest times has  grown into a modern military to the pride of the Croatian people. Conducting the final operations the Croatian Army demonstrated to possess a respectable military force. Croatia today is a member of NATO and Croatian soldiers take part in operations and missions worldwide,  contributing to the global security.

The Minister underlined that the Croatian Army continuously developed new capabilities attaching the importance to improved living and working standards. The amendments to the Act on Service in the Croatian Armed Forces have restored some of the previous material rights. All services of the Croatian Armed Forces are modernised. The decision on the procurement of multi-role fighter aircraft by the Croatian Government helped retain tge combat capabilities of the Croatian Air Force, and the establishment of Naval Infantry Company ensured development of the Croatian Navy. THe Croatian Armed Forces guarantee the safety and existence of the Republic of Croatia.

“The new organisation of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Fprces aims to enhance and upgrade the Croatian Armed Forces. The Croatian Armed Forces are returning to their previous locations – Sinj, Vukovar and Ploče, and shortly to Varaždin and Pula too”, said  the Minister, who also cited the upcoming  projects and activities of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces.

Minister Krstičević underlined the importance of the co-peration between the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces, which have entered a new phase of development and modernisation, with an important role of the General Staff.

Minister Krstičević underlined the importance of co-operation between the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces: “The Croatian Armed Forces y is a new era of development and modernization, and in all projects, the role of the Headquarters is significant. That is why I urge you to continue with the same energy and motivation to contribute to the only Croatian homeland as our predecessors did.”

The Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia General Mirko Šundov his address said: “It is a great honour and responsibility to lead the Croatian Armed Forces that we have been building together, fighting  for the survival of the Croatian people. I am proud to have taken a place in the line of chiefs of the General Staff, each of whom contributed during his office to the development of the Croatian Army, which has grown into a respectable military successfully fulfilling  its tasks in the country and worldwide. We are faced with new challenges, and I believe that we will confront them with skills,expertise, professionalism and commitment  to the military profession. Our task for the future is to continue the development  direction of building new abilities, bearing in mind the new challenges and threats, always ensuring the best for our citizens, as we have done in the past, “said Šudnov.

The Envoy and Defence and National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic Vlado Galić, who recalled the fallen, deceased and missing Croatian defenders and the first President of Croatia  Franjo Tuđman.

The ceremony featured the presentation of promotions and awards to the meriting members of the Croatian Armed Forces . Pursuant to the decision by the President of the Republic  total of 138 officers have been promoted and 153 NCOs pursuant to the decision of the  Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, and on the occasion of the General Staff Day and Independence Day  39 members received commendations and awards.
The ceremony featured a performance by the Croatian Navy Vocal Ensemble “Sveti Juraj”.

Delegation of MoD and CAF pays tribute to deceased chiefs of GS On the occasion of the  27.anniversary of the General Staff a delegation of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces, headed by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Matanović on 27 September 2018 paid respects to Staff General  Janko Bobetko in the Sisak Cemetery and to Staff General Martin Špegelj,Staff General  Zvonimir Červenko and Staff General Petar Stipetić and General  Imre Agotić in Zagreb. A mass was recited by the Military Ordinary, Msgr Jure Bogdan, in the Chapel of the Ministry of Defence.

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