Today, 17 October, the members of the Operations Command (OC) marked the Day of the Unit with a military ceremony at the barracks “Boro Menkov” in Kumanovo.
At the ceremony of the largest operational-level command in the Army, the attendees were addressed by the Minister of Defense, Vlado Misajlovski, the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, and the Commander of the OC, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski.
In his address, General Lafchiski emphasized that the Operations Command represents a pillar of the Army, highlighting its primary mission, to continuously prepare the conventional land and air forces for the defense and protection of the territorial integrity and independence of the homeland. Reflecting on the readiness of the OC, the General stated: “The readiness of your subordinate units is due to the fact that you continuously train and exercise them. You make sure to constantly keep your units in a state of the highest psycho-physical, moral, and situational preparedness through participation in numerous exercises and trainings both at home and abroad.”
General Lafchiski also emphasized the importance of continuous preparation, equipping, and modernization, stating: “As a response to modern threats, the Operations Command and the Army as a whole have begun the process of adapting to the new security architecture. This includes a clear plan for the adoption of new technologies, a plan for equipping and continuous training, with the goal of maintaining the highest level of combat readiness”.
Minister Misajlovski stated that “the members of the Command demonstrate professionalism, motivation, and dedication every day,” adding that the majority of the Command’s personnel strengthen the eastern flank of the Alliance within the multinational forces in Romania, Bulgaria, and Latvia, and are also involved in responding to the consequences of natural disasters in the country.
“You fulfill this responsibility completely, justifying our full trust and we exist to provide you with the best conditions and the most modern equipment,” said the Minister. He informed that the defense budget will continue to grow.
“We will continue next year and in the coming years with an even greater pace to provide more resources and to implement many modernization projects for all of you,” concluded the Minister.
In his address, the Commander of the OC, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, emphasized that in the year we mark five years of full NATO membership, we are witnessing accelerated modernization of the Army, thereby making a significant contribution to the Alliance’s efforts to build capacities aimed at deterring potential threats to the sovereignty and security not only of our country but of any NATO member. Highlighting the role of the OC during crisis situations, he pointed out the engagement of subordinate units, which this year successfully dealt with wildfires in the country and assisted other institutions, demonstrating that we will spare neither energy nor equipment when it comes to our homeland and the safety of our citizens.
As part of the ceremony, the Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion was declared the best unit. Additionally, members of the Command who had demonstrated exceptional performance were awarded incentive measures, and recognitions were presented to civilian institutions and organizations that cooperate with the Command. Appropriate acknowledgments, as a token of gratitude for their contribution to the Army during their service, were also given to unit members who had met the legal requirements for retirement in the past period.
In addition to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the General Staff, the ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Azim Nuredin, the Director of the General Staff, Brigadier General Orce Jordev, a representative from the President’s office, Army generals, former commanders of this Command, representatives of the military-diplomatic corps and the SEEBRIG Command, representatives from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, retired generals, representatives from the Ministry of Interior and local government, as well as institutions that cooperate with this Command.
The Operations Command marks 17 October, carrying on the tradition of the formation of the Headquarters of the Macedonian (Kresna) Uprising, an event that remains remembered in the national memory as one of the first manifestations of the Macedonian fighting spirit for freedom and its own state in recent history.
As the highest operational-level command in the Army, the OC is primarily responsible for preparing its subordinate commands and units to carry out the constitutional tasks of the Army, as well as for participating in peace support operations and providing support and assistance to state institutions during crisis situations.
