On 20 April 2026, at the Training Center “Pepelishte”, the national exercise “FLASH 26” was formally opened with an official ceremony. The exercise is being conducted from 19 to 27 April 2026. It represents a key milestone in the comprehensive evaluation of the combat readiness of the Light Infantry Battalion Group (LIBG), in accordance with NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command standards for the evaluation of land forces commands and units. The main activities of the exercise will take place at the Army Training Area “Krivolak”, while selected activities will also be conducted at the barracks “Jane Sandanski” in Shtip, “Mirche Acev” in Prilep, and “Strasho Pindjur” in Petrovec.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Brigadier General Lulzim Nuredini, the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade (1 IBde), Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski, as well as representatives from the Operations Command (OC).
In his speech, the Exercise Director, Colonel Arsovski, announced the execution of Exercise “FLASH 26,” emphasizing its significance as a key component in the process of assessing the combat readiness of the LIBG.
In his address, the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski, welcomed the participants and wished them a successful and, above all, safe execution of activities at the TC “Pepelishte” and ATA “Krivolak”. He emphasized that Exercise “FLASH 26” represents the final stage in preparing the Army’s primary NATO-declared capability, before formally declared the exercise open.
Approximately 1,500 service personnel are participating in the exercise, along with NATO monitors and observers from the Multinational Land Forces (MLF).
Concurrently with the start of the exercise, the evaluation of the combat readiness of the LIBG has commenced at the barracks “Jane Sandanski” in Shtip, barracks “Mirche Acev” in Prilep, and barracks “Strasho Pindjur” in Petrovec. Media representatives were granted access to observe the initial activities. On this occasion, the Head of the Evaluation Team gave a media statement, stressing the importance of the evaluation process as an essential element in the verification of the overall combat readiness of the unit.
Exercise “FLASH 26” represents a significant step forward in the continuous development of the Army’s operational capabilities, confirming its readiness, professionalism, and commitment to meeting the highest national and NATO standards. It further reaffirms the role of the Army as a credible and reliable contributor to NATO’s collective defense, enhancing Allied trust, interoperability, and combined operational effectiveness.
