With a military ceremony held today at the Ilinden barracks in Skopje, members of the of Special Forces Battalion (SFBn) marked 1 March – the Day of the Unit, continuing the tradition of 1 March 1994, when the 6th Squad was established, laying the foundations of the first special and professional unit of the Army.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense, Vlado Misajlovski, the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, senior Army officers, former commanders of the unit, representatives of the Ministry of Interior and other state institutions, as well as other distinguished guests.
Addressing the members of the Battalion, Minister Misajlovski emphasized that “the Special Units are an example for all others” as they demonstrate the highest level of professionalism. “The Macedonian Army is a NATO Army. Being a NATO Army is not proven in conference rooms alone, but in the field, where together with your colleagues from Allied armies you demonstrate that you are built in accordance with the highest standards of the Alliance. Standing shoulder to shoulder with them is the greatest proof that we belong to that elite club, that we have a clear vision and that we have top professionals and leadership that always gives its utmost,” the Minister stated.
“The modernization of the Army continues at an intensive pace,” he added, highlighting that this represents an investment in the future of the country. “Security is not a coincidence, but the result of preparation and hard work,” Misajlovski concluded.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, underlined that this date reminds us that the strength of an army is measured above all by its members, by their character, discipline, and readiness to place duty above personal interest. “To be a member of the Special Forces means to accept the highest standards of the military profession,” emphasized Major General Lafchiski.
Paying tribute to former members of the unit who lost their lives in service to the homeland, the Chief of the General Staff stated: “They have stood where the danger was greatest, guided by duty and love for their homeland.” General Lafchiski called on the current members of the Battalion to remain faithful to the values upon which the unit was built – honour, duty, and the homeland as the highest ideal.
The Commander of the Special Forces Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Blagoja Naumov, noted that this day symbolizes resilience, iron discipline, and unbreakable will. “To be part of this unit is not merely a profession; it is a calling,” emphasized Lieutenant Colonel Naumov, adding, “Our presence is a guarantee of peace, and our readiness is the shield of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.”
As part of the ceremony, incentive awards were given to members of the Battalion who achieved outstanding results in their duties over the past period.
On the occasion of the Day of the Unit, delegations led by the Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff, representatives of Army commands and units, family members of the fallen, and other distinguished guests, laid wreaths at the Memorial to fallen members of the Special Forces Battalion at the barracks Ilinden.
