With a military ceremony at ‘Ilinden’ Barracks in Skopje, the Rangers, who starting this year are integrated into the Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion, marked 20 years since the establishment of the Rangers Battalion – celebrated as the Day of the Unit.
The Rangers Battalion was established in 2003 as a result of merging members of the then existing Reconnaissance Battalion and the Parachute Squad. In the past 20 years the Rangers have been a recognized unit for undertaking specific mountaineering tasks on inaccessible terrain, and they have successfully shown their mountaineering skills in many real-life situations.
At the ceremony, attended by Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Azim Nuredin, the Commander of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Besnik Emini and the Unit Commander Lieutenant Colonel Nikolcho Jovanov addressed the attendees.
In his address, General Emini, who is also a former Commander of the unit, expressed his regards to the members on the Day of their unit, pointing out that although in accordance with the new structure the Rangers Battalion transforms into Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion, it remains one of our elite units.
The Reconnaissance-Intelligence Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jovanov in his speech stressed that the Rangers will continue to carry out their tasks professionally and with dignity under their motto ‘ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD’
The ceremony was also attended by Commanders of units stationed at the military barracks ‘Ilinden’, representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the General Staff, the Ministry of Defense, former commanders and representatives of organizations the unit cooperates with.
Commendations and incentives were awarded during the ceremony to unit members who have accomplished great results in their work.
Preceding the ceremony, Rangers Battalion members organized a humanitarian activity, and Rangers Sports Games were also held, and on that occasion the winners were rewarded today.
