On 7 April 2026, at the premises of the Operations Command (OC) in Kumanovo, a briefing was held on the readiness for the exercise “Flash 26”. During the briefing, the level of preparedness for conducting the evaluation according to NATO Combat Readiness Standards (Allied Command Operations Forces Standards Volume VII – Combat Readiness Evaluation of Land HQs and Units – CREVAL) was reviewed.
The evaluation will be conducted on the declared capability – the Light Infantry Battalion Group (LIBG), during which the unit will demonstrate the required level of combat readiness.
The exercise “Flash 26” will take place in the period from 19 to 27 April 2026, based on a fictional scenario. The intention is to carry out an evaluation and demonstrate the high level of combat readiness of the LIBG in accordance with NATO standards.
In addition to the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Azim Nuredin, the Director of the General Staff, Brigadier General Orce Jordev, the Commander of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, and the Commander of the First Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski attended the briefing. The event was also attended by chiefs of sections from the General Staff and the Operations Command, the director of the exercise, the director of “Flash 26” exercise evaluation team, and the Commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion.
After the completion of the activity, the Chief of the General Staff signed the “Instruction for the Preparation and Deployment of Forces for Missions Outside the Territory of the Republic of North Macedonia”.
Approximately 1,500 Army personnel, as well as NATO monitors and an observer team from the Multinational Land Forces (MLF), are participating in the exercise “Flash 26”.
