Staff Sergeant 1st class Iljcho Stanikevski, a member of the Cadet Training Center/TRADOC, participated in the 18th NATO and Partnership for Peace (PfP) Winter Camp, which was held in Pokljuka, Slovenia, from 24 to 31, January 2025. The camp was attended by representatives from 23 NATO and PfP member countries, including the host country. The camp served to foster international military cooperation and interoperability through a series of activities and training in harsh winter conditions.
During the camp, Staff Sergeant 1st class Stanikevski participated in various exercises designed to improve military skills in winter conditions, including alpine and Nordic skiing, avalanche rescue operations, fitness marches and a military biathlon competition. A significant part of the program was also the headquarters reconnaissance of the positions of the Italian Armed Forces, and the preparation of a case study on the “Battle of the Socha – Kobarid” from World War I, which provided valuable historical and strategic insights.
Team-building activities strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation among the participants. In addition to rigorous training, the camp also served as a platform for professional networking, knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices among NCOs from different nations. Through formal and informal interactions, the participants contributed to improving cooperation between NATO and PfP armies. Staff Sergeant 1st class Iljcho Stanikevski’s engagement in the camp not only demonstrated his professional dedication and skills, but also reinforced his commitment to strengthening partnerships and operational efficiency in challenging winter conditions.
