The largest combat unit of the Army – 1st Infantry Brigade (1InfBde) marked the day of the unit with a military ceremony, at barracks “Strasho Pinjur”, at Petrovec. The Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska and the Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurgjinovski attended the event. During the celebration there were speeches by high military officials, a military parade of the units, awarding incentive measures and a display of the armament, vehicles and equipment of the unit.
The Minister of Defense, Slavjanka Petrovska, in her speech, stated that the 1st Infantry Brigade is the strongest and largest military formation, which is becoming a modern NATO combat structure by demonstrating its combat capabilities according to NATO standards in 2022.
“According to the highest standards of the Alliance you have shown skills and expertize which have proven that you function perfectly, and that we are on the right path to develop all the capabilities concerning our NATO objectives. I have no doubt that the evaluation, due in 2026, will confirm your previous success, and even surpass it, and this will show that the standards of the Alliance are set in the foundation of our Army” stressed minister Petrovska.
Petrovska added that the increase of the defense budget guarantees the standard of the members of the Army as well as the process of modernization, which is the first of its kind and by far the largest.
“We will work to improve your standards, with the same dedication as for the project of modernization, because we know that the successful accomplishment of each task depends on each one of you.” said Petrovska.
The Commander of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Besnik Emini, congratulated the day of the unit to the members of the brigade and highlighted that the fast changes and new demands call for the 1st Infantry Brigade to adapt rapidly and accomplish its tasks swiftly, timely and aptly. “Undoubtedly, the solid results come from the variety of different branches and services comprising the 1st Infantry Brigade, which contribute to the unit’s high capacities when executing complex tasks; tasks that require good organization, planning and coordination between the units of the brigade, as well as with the other units of the Army and the NATO allies.” said general Emini.
The Commander of the Brigade, Brigadier General, Sashko Lafchiski, stressed that the 1st Infantry Brigade represents the primary capacity of the commitments resulting from the NATO membership, defined through the capabilities objectives. “I can say that the highest priority of the unit is the development of the Light Infantry Battalion Group, which is our next NATO objective for 2027, and the same will be formalized with the NATO evaluation of the combat readiness in 2026. Every member, every capacity and resource of this unit is important and significant for this mission. There is still a lot of work to be done and plenty of challenges building the necessary capacities.” said general Lafchiski.
During celebration, on the occasion of the day of the unit, incentive measures were awarded to the members of the brigade, and the Command Company of the 2nd Infantry Battalion was declared this year’s best unit of the brigade
Beside the incentive measures for the achievements, certificates were given to the best competitors at the military skills competitions, and there was also a performance by the cultural and artistic associations “Bajram Shabani” from Kumanovo, and “Jonche Hristovski” from Aerodrom.
The celebration was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Tiron Jajaga, the Special adviser on defense to the Cabinet of the Presidents, Blerim Koljali, Army generals, former commanders of the unit, defense attachés, military officials from the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, and representatives of the local government and institutions cooperating with the unit.
2 April is declared the day of the 1st InfBde with a decree by the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and by taking over the tasks and responsibilities of two former brigades it became the largest combat unit incorporating several branches and services.
1st Infantry Brigade is the main combat force of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, and with its forces it defends and upholds the national interests, provides support to the citizens during natural disasters, epidemics and other crisis, and outside the country’s borders, it takes part in operations led by NATO, UN and EU with its declared units.
Several branches and services are part of the brigade, and this unit is known for its experience gained participating in peace operations, the training activities, the NATO evaluation of its declared units, and the support it gives to the citizens and the institutions whenever it is needed.
