The Croatian Armed Forces thrilled thousands of citizens gathered across the country | Foto: MORH/ J. Kopi
The Croatian Armed Forces thrilled thousands of citizens gathered across the country
The Croatian Air Force, the Special Forces Command, the Honor Guard Battalion and the Military Police Regiment displayed high readiness and professionalism in appealing demonstration exercises
Today the Croatian Armed Forces together with numerous citizens gathered in the cities of Zagreb, Split, Pula and Rijeka have marked Croatia’s Statehood Day.
The Statehood Day is an occasion to recall the historical moments of Croatia’s struggle for freedom and independence, as well as an opportunity to express gratitude to all Croatian Homeland War defenders and CAF members who serve their country every day.
On this occasion, a tactical and technical assembly of weapons, combat and non-combat equipment of the Croatian Armed Forces was exhibited in Zagreb, Split, Osijek and Pula. At the Jarun Sports and Recreation Centre in Zagreb, a ceremonial programme was held, attended by several thousand citizens and high-ranking state officials, which also included demonstration exercises conducted by members of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the Croatian Air Force flight programme.
In addition to high-ranking state officials, the Statehood Day ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and Chief of the CAF General Staff Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid.
The ceremonial programme included a performance by the Zagreb Majorettes, the Cravat Regiment, cultural clubs and the police harmony-singing group.
Members of the Special Forces Command, together with members of the Ministry of Interior took a parachute jump carrying the Croatian flag, the European Union and NATO flags. Members of the Special Forces Command also conducted a series of demonstration exercises in the air, on land and in water, along with a simulation of rescue missions in crisis situations, demonstrating the high level of readiness and professionalism of CAF members.
The Honor Guard Battalion performed its professionally choreographed rifle maneuvers, the Military Police Regiment’s dog handlers and their canines demonstrated military working dog obedience, narcotics detection, and the use of canines for a person’s identity verification, and for operational and tactical tasks.
The final part of the programme included a flight programme of the Croatian Air Force, such as sorties of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, performance by the “Wings of the Storm” aerobatic display team, and sorties carried out by the Rafale aircraft.
Everyone had the opportunity to taste the traditional military bean stew prepared by CAF members in Zagreb, Split, Osijek, and Pula, thus contributing to the festive atmosphere of the Statehood Day celebration.
