Mission:
To provide fire support for the units during operations defending and protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic, peace support and humanitarian operations conducted abroad, and support for the local authorities in repairing the damages caused by natural disasters.
Tasks:
- Planning and organizing;
- Planning and implementation;
- Planning and conducting training and exercises;
- Planning and human resources management;
- Intelligence, counter intelligence and force protection;
- Logistic support;
- CIS organizing and preparation;
- Financial planning;
- Civil Military Cooperation.
Lieutenant Colonel Sashko Paleski
Lieutenant Colonel Sashko Paleski was born in 1980 in Kavadarci. After completing primary and secondary school in Prilep, he continued his military education at the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” in Skopje, where he graduated in 2003. He began his military career as a Commander of the 2nd Fire Platoon in the Artillery Battery of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, within the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Ohrid. Since 2007, he has served in the Artillery Battalion, where he has held the following positions: Self-reliant Platoon Commander, Battery Deputy Commander, Battery Commander, Chief of S-3/5/7, and his most recent position, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Artillery Battalion.
He has further developed his military education during his career through numerous courses, the most significant of which are:
- Training Course for Instructors, Vishkov, Czech Republic;
- International Humanitarian Law Course, Skopje;
- Instructor Course for Improvised Explosive Devices, Kunduz, Afghanistan;
- Battalion Staff Officers Course – Military Academy, Skopje;
- Military Decision-making Process Course, Prilep;
- Exercise Planning Process Course, Podgorica, Montenegro;
- Evaluators Course under the Operational Capabilities Concept, Cork, Republic of Ireland;
- Unit Combat Readiness Evaluators Course, Oberammergau, Germany.
He completed the Command and Staff College, as well as a Master’s degree in Military Arts, in Shrivenham, United Kingdom, during the period 2021–2022.
In addition to his primary duties, a significant highlight of his career is his involvement in planning processes and the execution of both national and international exercises, among which the following stand out:
- “Rapid Trident 2010 and 2012” in L’viv, Ukraine;
- “Trident Juncture 2015” in Zaragoza, Spain as Force Protection Officer at JFC Brunssum;
- The “Macedonian Flash” exercise series, as an Operations Officer;
- “Dynamic Front 19” – Grafenwöhr, Germany;
- “REGEX19” – Macedonia;
- “Decisive Strike 2019” – Macedonia;
- “Maple Arch 24” – Veles, Macedonia;
- “Dynamic Front 25” – Grafenwöhr, Germany.
The achievements in his work have been recognized by the authorities, for which he has been awarded the following honors:
- Non-Article 5 NATO Medal – for participation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan in 2007;
- Certificate of Appreciation from the German Army – for participation in the OMLT mission in 2009;
- Army Gold Badge – awarded in 2012;
- Army Bronze Service Badge – for long-term service, awarded in 2015;
- Silver Badge for Partnership and Cooperation – awarded in 2020;
- Silver Badge for Long-Term Service in the Army – awarded in 2024;
- Bronze Badge for Partnership and Cooperation – awarded in 2024.
Military Career:
- 2003-2006 Commander of the 2nd Fire Platoon and the Self-reliant Platoon in the 2nd IBn, 2nd IBde, Ohrid;
- 2007-2009 Commander of Self-reilant Platoon BM21 in ArtyBn;
- 2009-2010 Deputy Commander of Artillery Battery;
- 2020-2017 Commander of Command Battery;
- 2017-2020 Chief of S-3/5-7 Section in ArtyBn;
- 2020-2025 Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff at
Promotions
- Second Lieutenant 2003-2006,
- Lieutenant 2006-2009,
- Captain 2009-2014,
- Major 2014-2020,
- Lieutenant-Colonel 2020.
He is proficient in English language.
Mr. Palevski is married and has one child. He is passionate amateur long-distance runner and participant in numerous mountain and street races in the country and abroad.
The Artillery Battalion (Arty Bn) is a unit that consists of excellent professionals with vast experience, which affirms this unit in all areas of training, work, and execution of assigned tasks.
The members of the Artillery Battalion proudly and with dignity continue and nurture the tradition of freedom-loving fighters of the Fifth Macedonian National Liberation Strike Brigade, called the Prilep Brigade, which, with its core of experienced and battle-hardened fighters, made a significant contribution to the National Liberation Movement.
With the formation of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) in 1992, a 2nd Mixed Artillery Regiment was formed and it was located at the “Mirche Acev” barracks in Prilep.
Although initially with modest resources and equipment, four generations of artillery conscripts were trained each year.
From 1997 to 2000, the Reserve Officer School – Artillery Branch operated, where three generations of reserve artillery officers were trained.
In July 2002, with the restructuring of the ARM, the 2nd Mixed Artillery Regiment was transformed, and the Artillery Battalion within the Army’s Land Forces was established. The unit was filled with professional soldiers, and artillery training was conducted with the goal of raising the level of professionalism.
Training is conducted according to NATO member states’ SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
With the departure of the last conscript from the October 2006 class, the unit consisted of professional soldiers only.
With the new organizational structure of the ARM in 2012, the Artillery Battalion became part of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade (1st MIBde), located at the “Mirche Acev” barracks in Prilep.
A large portion of the personnel has been educated through courses, seminars, and command-staff academies, both in country and abroad.
Over the past period, most of the unit has participated in international exercises conducted at the Army Training Area “Krivolak”.
On August 12, 2021, the President of the Republic of North Macedonia awarded the Charter of the Republic of North Macedonia to the Artillery Battalion of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia for distinguished merits and exceptional contribution to strengthening defense capabilities; for preserving the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of North Macedonia; for preparedness and training in accordance with required standards to provide fire support to Army units during operations to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of North Macedonia; for participation in peace support operations and humanitarian missions abroad, confirmed through involvement in numerous national and international exercises both in the country and abroad; for contribution to securing the southern border; for support to institutions and citizens in dealing with natural disasters, damage recovery, and managing the COVID-19 pandemic; as well as for successful representation and affirmation of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia on an international level.
Participation in missions:
- ISAF – Afghanistan
- eFP (enhanced Forward Presence) – Latvia
- FLF (Forward Land Forces) – Bulgaria
- eVA (enhanced Vigilance Activity) – Romania
- KFOR – Kosovo
- ALTEA – Bosnia
With the new organizational structure of the Army, since 2023, the Artillery Battalion is part of the 1st Infantry Brigade (1st IBde), located at the “Mirche Acev” barracks in Prilep.
The Artillery Battalion, with all its attributes, ranks among the best-organized military units, and its hierarchical structure is a guarantee of its success, which significantly contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Army.
