At the Krivolak Training Area today, a military ceremony marked the beginning of the multinational exercise Immediate Response 25 (IR25), which will be held from May 26 to June 9. Units from seven NATO member countries and two partner countries, with their own military equipment and armaments, will demonstrate and enhance their defense and cyber capabilities through live-fire exercises, river crossings, cyber and CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) defense exercises.
The exercise was officially opened by Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, Commander of the Operations Command, who is both the organizer and host of the exercise. He commended the participants for their dedication and professionalism shown during the planning process and expressed his expectation for impeccable execution and outstanding results.
Immediate Response 25 is an excellent opportunity to confirm, enhance, and assess the interoperability and operational capabilities of allied forces in conducting conventional operations, organizing battlefield systems, and improving tactics and techniques in the execution of operations, all in the function of creating greater resilience and self-sustainability on the battlefield. For us, as hosts and as an army of a country that recently marked five years of NATO membership, this exercise is an ideal opportunity to deploy and train our declared forces and to engage in direct cooperation with allied and partner armies,” stated General Gjorgoski, officially declaring the exercise open.
The ceremony concluded with performances by the army bands from our country and Vermont National Guard, USA, who played pieces from their extensive military repertoires.
More than 2,200 participants from the host country, the United States, Albania, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Kosovo are taking part in the exercise at the Krivolak Training Area.
Exercise IR25 is part of NATO’s largest military exercise in Europe this year, Defender 25, led by the United States Army. It is being conducted across the territory of NATO member countries in Southeastern Europe. Through execution of ground operations and live-fire exercises, readiness, interoperability, and deterrence capabilities among NATO allies and partners are being improved.
