Today, 17th October (Thursday), as part of the military exercise ‘Macedonian Flash-9’, during the Distinguished Visitors’ Day, a live ammo tactical exercise ‘Enforced Middle Infantry Battalion Group (MIBG) in attack’ was executed at the Army Training Area (ATA) ‘Krivolak’. The Distinguished Visitors’ Day was attended by: the President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, Defence Minister Talat Xhaferi, Chief of GS of the ARM Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski, Deputy Defence Minister Emil Dimitriev, JOC Commander Major General Metodija Velichkovski, representatives of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Military Attachés accredited to the Republic of Macedonia, NATO Liaison Office representatives, the Mayor of Shtip and other distinguished guests.
A live ammo tactical exercise was executed by the declared units which are part of the MIBG, as well as other units, logistics and combat-service support units. Besides practical implementation of the tactics and procedures for conducting offensive combat actions, exercise participants at ATA ‘Krivolak’ demonstrated high-level training in carrying out various infantry and artillery weapons firing, and also efficient close air support to MIBG.
After the exercise the participants received recognition from President Ivanov for the accomplished results, who also pointed out that the Army is capable of executing most complex offensive and combat actions in accordance with all NATO standards, underlying that what was demonstrated during ‘Macedonian Flash-9’ shows that the ARM possesses what NATO requires and that it is just a matter of moments when it will become part of the Alliance.
Minister Xhaferi stated that according to the readiness and training the declared units demonstrated at today’s exercise, it was once more confirmed that the Ministry of Defence and the ARM are prepared to undertake all necessary responsibilities that arise on the road to full NATO membership.
The Chief of the GS of the ARM, Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski underlined that since the formation of the ARM, the biggest and most complex military exercise was executed today, because all arms and branches of the Army participated in the exercise. He also gave the exercise high score which makes him as the Chief of the ARM GS very proud with what ARM servicemen demonstrated in front of the political leaders of the country, and before the military-diplomatic corps.
Tomorrow is the last day of ‘Macedonian Flash-9’, when the first and unofficial announcement of the results from the carried out evaluation (self-evaluation level 2) of MIBG and (NATO 1) for Light Mobile Hospital is expected.
