Today, the largest combat unit of the Army, the First Infantry Brigade (1st IBde), part of the Operations Command (OC), marked its Unit Day at the Strasho Pindzur barracks in Petrovec.
The event was attended by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Vlado Misajlovski, the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sashko Lafchiski, Army generals, representatives from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, Members of Parliament, former unit commanders, military attachés, representatives from local government and institutions that cooperate with the unit, and other guests.
Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, Commander of the Operations Command, congratulated the members of the brigade and emphasized that this unit is the cradle of the freedom-loving traditions of the National Liberation Fight, as well as a unit whose high standards and training criteria have been built through dedicated effort and multiple transformations. “That is why I proudly emphasize that this year, as we mark five years of our full NATO membership, it was exactly this unit that served as a platform for creating standards, building interoperability criteria, and demonstrating operational capabilities in front of our NATO partners,” General Gjorgoski stated.
The Commander of the Brigade, Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski, highlighted that the First Infantry Brigade is the primary capacity for fulfilling NATO membership obligations, as defined by capability goals. “Our commitment to NATO remains unwavering-not because it is the only path, but because it is the right path. This year, we celebrate a milestone-five years of full NATO membership. During these five years, we have repeatedly demonstrated that we are stronger together, whether participating in international missions, training, exercises, or assisting in response to natural disasters,” General Chiplakovski said.
At the celebration, NATO medals were awarded to members of the 1st IBde who were deployed to peace support operations in the past period. Incentive awards were also presented to personnel of the brigade, and the best unit of the brigade was announced. This year, the recognition was awarded to the Second Company of the 2nd Infantry Battalion.
As a sign of excellent cooperation and contribution to building combat readiness and training of the unit, the commander of the 1st IBde, General Chiplakovski, presented plaques bearing the unit’s emblem to the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the Army General Staff.
By decision of the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, April 2 is declared as the Day of the 1st Infantry Brigade, commemorating the date when the unit assumed the duties and responsibilities of two former brigades, becoming the largest combat unit composed of multiple military branches.
The First Infantry Brigade is the main combat force of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia. It provides ready forces to protect and support national interests and offers assistance to civilians during natural disasters, epidemics, and other crises. Outside the territory of the Republic, its declared units participate in operations led by NATO, the UN, and the EU.
