SM Željko Bilić receives Polish “Afghanistan Star” medal
The award of the decoration of the Republic of Poland is a recognition to the Croatian Armed Forces and all previous incumbents, who confirmed the professionalism of the Croatian NCOs
The Training and Doctrine Command “ Fran Krsto Frankopan“ CSEL Sergeant Major Željko Bilić was presented with a decoration of the Republic of Poland “Afghanistan Star“ in Polish Embassy in Zagreb on 2 September 2019, for outstanding contribution to the co-operation between the members of the Croatian and Polish Armed Forces during the deployment in the Resolute Support Mission.
The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Croatian Army Major General Siniša Jurković and the acting Croatian Armed Forces CSEL Sergeant Major Michael Fanuko (representing the NCO Corps) and the Chief of the Sector for International Security and Defence Co-operation of the Ministry of Defence Colonel Tomislav Galić alongside SM Bilić’s family members.
SM Bilić was presented with the decoration by the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland to Croatia on behalf of the President of Poland, assisted by the Military Attaché of Poland Colonel Zbigniew Tomalak.
SM Bilić was a member of the 8th HRVCON to Resolute Support Mission from March through September 2018, assigned as Advisor/Army Institutional Advisory Team CSEL.
Advisory tasks are essential for the Resolute Support Mission, and the AIAT CSEL exercised by SMA Bilić is a top billet entrusted to the Croatian Armed Forces and is directly responsible to the Combined Security Transition Command. It is a dual-hatted duty, encompassing a CSEL duty for the AIAT and advisory assistance to the CSELs of the Afghan training and education institutions CSELs (the Combined Tranining and Education Command and the subordinated institutions (the Basic NCO Training, the Advanced NCO Training and Senior NCO training, the Training Range in Kabul and the branch training units.
Serving as the AIAT CSEL SM Željko Bilić managed the reception of the first members of the Polish advisory team headed by Colonel Jaroslaw Drago and assisted them with accomodation and operation and with their advisor duty familiarisation during June and July 2018 and conducted regular security and training activities during the months of June and July
The award of the decoration of the Republic of Poland is a recognition to the Croatian Armed Forces and all previous incumbents, who confirmed the competence and professionalism of the Croatian NCOs in exercising demanding duties in international environements and the NCO Corps as an important and competent component of the Croatian Armed Forces.
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