Mission
- Combat Service Support Battalion is a unit within the 1st Infantry Brigade with the task of conducting offensive and defensive operations for defence and security of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic;
- Cooperation with MIA in securing the borders;
- Support to civilian authorities in eliminating consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes, and
- Participation in peace support and humanitarian missions abroad.
List of Mission’s Basic Tasks
- To prepare for combat tasks;
- Tactical march;
- To take firing positions;
- Tactical movement;
- To conduct defence tasks;
- To conduct attacks;
- To conduct tasks for fighting against sabotage terroristic groups, and
- To take part in peace support operations abroad.
Lieutenant Colonel Spejtim Cerimi
Lieutenant Colonel Spejtim Cerimi was born on 29.02.1983 in Kumanovo. He finished elementary school and high school in Kumanovo. He continued his education at the Military Academy “General Mihajlo Apostolski” in Skopje. After a 4-year education he was promoted to Second Lieutenant in the infantry. He began his career as a Commander of the Mechanized Infantry Platoon in the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade. So far in his career he has performed several command and staff duties. From December 2021 he was appointed commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion.
He has completed several courses and seminars in the country and abroad in the field of peacekeeping operations, Crisis Communication course, NATO CREVAL Assessment course, Conflict Analysis course in Tirana, R. Albania, English language course, Cooperation in Peacekeeping Operations course in Szolnok, R. Hungary.
He has participated in several exercises from the cycle “Macedonian Flash” in several key positions, where NATO assessment level 2 and self-assessment of the declared units MIBG and MIBN was performed, as well as the exercise “Decisive Strike-19”. In his career to date, he has participated in international exercises such as “Seven stars”, “REGEX-19”, “Maple Arch” in R. Ukraine and “Platinum Eagle” in R. Romania.
From 2013-14 he upgraded his military education by completing the Specialization in Command and Staff Duties at the Military Academy “General Mihajlo Apostolski” in Skopje.
Up until now in his career he has been part of the ISAF peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan and in the period 2008-11 he was part of 2 rotations.
Up until now in his career, he has been repeatedly awarded and praised by the MoD and the Chief of General Staff for the results achieved in the process of combat training and education and the contribution to the construction and development of the Army. He has received the NATO Medal “Non-Article 5” for participating in the peacekeeping operation ISAF.
He is married and a father of 2 children.
He is an active user of English. His hobby is football. During his military career so far, he has been part of the Army futsal team on several occasions, with which he participated in the CISM futsal tournaments “Futsal for peace” internationally.
Military career:
- Platoon commander 2006-2010
- Officer for training and exercises in S-3 / 1st Mech.Inf.Bde 2010-2012
- Officer for personnel management / Chief of S-1 / 1st Mech.Inf.Bde 2012-2015
- Commander of a Mechanized Infantry Platoon in the 1st Mech.Inf.Bde 2015-2019
- Deputy Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion 2019-2021
- Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion 2021
Promotions:
- Second Lieutenant 2006-2008
- Lieutenant 2008-2012
- Captain 2012-2017
- Major 2017-2023
- Lieutenant Colonel 2023
2019
During 2019, the 1st MIBde also continued to help and assist the MIA on the South and North border to deal with the migrant crisis.
From June 5 to July 9, 2019, at the “Krivolak” Training Area the National Terrain Exercise “Decisive Strike” was carried out in two tours, where the 1st IBde was in charge of the exercise.
Lieutenant Colonel Mirche Tasev is posted as a Commander of the Battalion and also as a Commander of the garrison from December 2019, and his deputy is Major Shpejtim Cherimi.
2018
In 2018, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion continued to actively provide assistance to the Ministry of Interior at the southern and northern borders in dealing with the migrant crisis.
In May 2018, Lieutenant Aleksandra Boshkovska was appointed Commander of 1 / 1 Mechanized Infantry Battalion and at the same time she was the first female in the ARM who was appointed a commander of a company.
On August 18th, the Day of the ARM, the Commander of 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion was presented the award “Order of Military Merit” by the President and Supreme Commander, Gjorgje Ivanov.
From November 2018, Lieutenant Colonel Stojanche Kostov was appointed Commander of the battalion and at the same time Commander of the garrison.
2017
In 2017 1stMIBde continued working together with and assisting Ministry of Interior at the southern and northern borders of Macedonia in dealing with the migrant crisis.
In June 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Erdoan Hasan was appointed Commander of the Battalion and at the same time Commander of the garrison.
In the period from 2nd to 6th October 2017 1stMIBde was the host of the exercise, Macedonian Flash-13, NATO-LEVEL 2 re-assessment of medium size infantry battle groups, at TA ‘Krivolak’. A certified assessment team made up of national and NATO representatives carried out the re-assessment of medium size infantry battle groups.
2016
In 2016 1stMIBde continued working together with and assisting Ministry of Interior at the southern and northern borders of Macedonia in dealing with the migrant crisis.
In August 2016, part of 1stMIBde team took an active part in clearing the consequences of the floods that affected Stajkovci and Singelic region, and “Cento” municipality.
2015
In the period from December 2014 to June 2015 in the “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan 2 (two) 1stMIBde servicemen took part;
In the period from June to December 2015 in the “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan 19 (nineteen) 1stMIBde servicemen took part;
The servicemen of the 1stMIBde took active participation in helping and supporting Center for Crises Management when dealing with floods and elimination of the consequences of the floods in the municipalities of Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo and Sveti Nikole;
In September 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Lulzim Nuredini was appointed Commander of the Battalion and at the same time Commander of the garrison. Major Dragan Petreski was appointed his deputy;
Since September 2015, 1stMIBde has been working together with and assisting Ministry of Interior at the southern and northern borders of Macedonia in dealing with the migrant crisis.
2014
In the period from January to July 2014, 4 (four) 1stMIBde servicemen participated in “ISAF” mission in Afghanistan as part of 3rdMIBde.
In the period from July to December 2014, 34 1stMIBde servicemen participated in “ISAF” mission in Afghanistan. The Contingent Commander was Lieutenant Colonel Ali Hajro.
In the period from 13-23.05.2014, 1stMIBde personnel prior to ISAF mission participated in the exercise ‘Platinum Eagle’ in Babadag, Republic of Romania.
In the period 08-10.04.2014, 1stMIBde hosted the exercise, Macedonian Flash-10, NATO-LEVEL 2 assessment of medium size infantry battle groups at TA “Krivolak”.
2013
In the period from January to July 2013, 8 (eight) 1stMIBde servicemen took part in ISAF mission in Afghanistan;
In the period from July 2013 to January 2014, 2 (two) 1stMIBde servicemen, as part of the 4th MIBde, participated in ISAF mission in Afghanistan;
In the period from 14th to 17th October 2013 1stMIBde participated in the exercise ‘Macedonian Flash-09’, Self-Assessment Level-2 at TA “Krivolak”.
2012
In April 2012, Major Ali Hajro was appointed Commander of the Battalion and at the same time Commander of the garrison, and Major Goran Petrushevski was appointed Deputy Commander.
In the period from May to November 2012, one (1) officer from 1stMIBde participated in the ‘ALTEA’ mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the period from 18th to 24th May 2012 1stMIBde participated in exercise ‘Macedonian Flash-08’ at the TA “Krivolak”, where medium size infantry battle groups NATO-assessment LEVEL-1 was carried out. 1stMIBde actively worked on the celebration of the “20-year anniversary of ARM”. Eight servicemen from this unit were awarded decorations given by ARM Chief of General Staff for their contribution to the unit’s accomplished results in peacekeeping missions and for successfully outperforming the tasks.
On the occasion of the “Jubilee 20 Years ARM”, the Mortar Battalion as part of the Battalion carried out live fire exercise on TA “Krivolak”.
2011
In the period from January to July 2011, 3rdMICoy with 109 personnel as part of the 1stMIBde took part in ISAF mission in Afghanistan. The Contingent Commander was Lieutenant Colonel Marjan Simonovski.
In the period from July 2011 to January 2012 three 1stMIBde servicemen took part in ‘ISAF’ mission in Afghanistan as part of 2ndMIBde.
During the period from 4th August to 15th April 2011 1stMIBde participated in the the exercise ‘Macedonian Flash-07’ at TA “Krivolak”, where LEVEL-1 NATO self-assessment for medium size infantry battle groups was completed. 1stMIBde hosted the activity.
From July 2011 to January 2012 three members of the 1st MIBde were integrated in the 2nd MIBn and participated in the “ISAF” mission in IS of Afghanistan.
From 08.04 to 15.04.2011 the 1st MIBde participated in the realization of the exercise “Macedonian Flash-07” at the “Krivolak” Training Area where the self-evaluation LEVEL -1 of the MIBG was realized and the 1st MIBde was in charge.
2010
In the period from 29th May until 14th June 14, 2010, the personnel from the 2ndMICoy before joining the ISAF mission participated in a joint exercise with the US Marine Corps in Constanta, Republic of Romania.
In the period from July 2010 to January 2011, 122 2ndMICoy personnel as part of the 1stMIBde took part in ISAF peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. Major Erdoan Hasan was the Contingent Commander.
Within the exercise “Balkan Flash 2010” with the NATO assessment LEVEL 2, the medium size infantry battle groups assessment was completed, in which one MICoy from the 1stMIBde took part.
In the period from November 2010 to May 2011, one (1) NCO from the 1stMIBde participated in the mission “ALTEA” in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
One NCO from the 1st MIBde participated in the “ALTEA” peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina from November 2010 to May 2011.
2009
In 2009 1sMIBde continued its training and activities preparing for peacekeeping missions.
As part of 2ndMIBde one 1stMIBde serviceman took part in peacekeeping ISAF mission in Afghanistan in the period from January to July 2008.
As part of 4thMIBde two 1stMIBde servicemen took part in peacekeeping ISAF mission in Afghanistan in the period from July 2009 to January 2010.
One MICoy as part of 1sMIBde took part in the self-assessment LEVEL -2 (CREVAL) for medium size infantry battle groups at the exercise “Macedonian Flash 05”.
2008
In 2008, the peaceful location of the Battalion was moved to barracks ‘Boro Menkov’ in Kumanovo.
One MICoy as part of the 1stMIBde took part in medium size infantry battle groups assessment according to the concept for operational skills assessment LEVEL -1 at the exercise “Macedonian Flash 03” and NATO assessment LEVEL-1 at the exercise “Macedonian Flash 04”.
A number of 118 personnel from 1stMICoy as part of MIBde took part in peacekeeping ISAF mission in Afghanistan in the period between July 2008 and January 2009. Captain Sasho Spasovski was the Contingent Commander. The The Contingent Commander, a noncommissioned officer and two professional soldiers were awarded the US Army medal for special efforts in carrying out the tasks in the mission.
2007
In 2007, 1stMIBde worked intensively on the functional and combat training for participation in peacekeeping missions. 1stMIBde units conducted training on topics of peacekeeping operations, fitness marches, situation training exercises and shooting with personal and collective weapons.
2006
In 2006, the Battalion carried out the training and program shootings as well as the everyday obligations in the functioning of the garrison.
In December 2006, Lieutenant-Colonel Marjan Simonovski was appointed Commander of the Battalion and at the same time Commander of the garrison, and Major Erdoan Hasan was appointed Deputy Commander.
2005
In 2005, 1stMIBde took over the command of Kumanovo garrison and has become the bearer of the garrison obligations. During this period, the cooperation with the local government of the city of Kumanovo and the surrounding municipalities, as well as with the public and private entities from the garrison, was intensified, as evidenced by the numerous recognitions and gratitude.
2003
One noncommissioned officer and seven professional soldiers, 1stMIBde personnel, took part in peacekeeping mission “Iraqi Freedom”.
2002
The unit took part in the conflict region of Kumanovo – Lipkovo and Tetovo area.
2001
The unit took part in the conflict region of Kumanovo – Lipkovo and Tetovo area.
Major Sinisha Stamenov was appointed Commander of the Battalion and his deputy was Major Ljupcho Dimitrov.
2000
1stMIBde is part of 1stMIBde “Scorpions” and is located in Shtip. It has its beginnings in September 2000 under the motto ‘Honor and Power’. It was located in “Hristijan T. Karposh” barracks in Kumanovo. Major Joco Micov was the first commander of the unit and his deputy was Captain 1 class Sinisha Stamenov.
