Mission:
Conduct operations for the defense and protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of North Macedonia, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior in border security, support to civil authorities in disaster relief efforts following natural and man-made disasters, as well as participation in peace support and humanitarian operations abroad.
List of essential tasks of the mission:
- Conduct offensive and defensive operations to defend and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic;
- Act in coordination with the Ministry of Interior in border security;
- Support civil authorities in disaster relief efforts following natural and man-made disasters;
- Participate in peace support and humanitarian operations outside the Republic;
- Mobilize units, conduct movement and transportation, and rapidly deploy and occupy locations, areas, positions, and routes;
- Control territory, close routes, and secure areas;
- Support Ministry of Interior forces in responding to threats, risks, and dangers to the security of the Republic;
- Support state authorities and local government units in dealing with natural disasters, epidemics, technical and technological accidents, and other emergencies;
- Participate in peacekeeping operations to support peace and prevent conflicts outside the territory of the Republic, and protect the broader interests of the Republic.
Lieutenant Colonel Mile Stanoevski
Lieutenant Colonel Mile Stanoevski was born on July 17, 1981, in Shtip. He finished primary school in Pehchevo and secondary school in Skopje. His military career began in 2004 after graduating from the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” in Skopje, as an infantry officer, starting as a team commander in the Ranger Battalion of the Special Operations Regiment.
He continued his career as a platoon commander in the Long-Range Surveillance Company. His next post was as a training and exercises officer in the S-3 section. During this period, he completed several courses and training programs in country and abroad, the most significant being: Basic Special Forces Course; Small Unit Tactics Course; Long-Range Surveillance Course; Crisis Communication Training; International Course for Staff Officers in Slovakia; Non-lethal Weapons Instructor Course; Company Commanders Course; Survival in All Terrain and Weather Conditions Course in Turkey; NATO Combat Readiness Evaluator Course in Germany; Counter-Terrorism Course; Urban Combat Course.
His next appointment to a higher position was in 2015 as a company commander. He actively participated in all activities and exercises in which his unit took part, in country and abroad, through command or staff duties. In 2018, he completed an Exercise Planning Course, as well as a Mountain Warfare Course in Winter Conditions in the USA. In the period from 2021 to 2022, he graduated from the Command and Staff Academy of the Defense College in Estonia. After graduation, he was appointed as a planning officer in the Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion, and since 2023 as the Chief of S-3/7.
Lieutenant Colonel Mile Stanoevski has received several commendations, certificates, and incentive leaves. He has been awarded the Army’s bronze, silver, and gold badges. He holds a STANAG 6001 English language proficiency certificate at level 2+.3.3.3, and he has basic knowledge of French. He is married and the father of one minor child.
Military Career:
- 2004-2007 Commander of the 3rd Team, 2nd Ranger Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
- 2007–2013 Platoon Commander in the Long-Range Surveillance Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
- 2013–2015 Training and Exercises Officer / S-3 / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
- 2015–2017 Commander of the Command Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
- 2017–2021: Commander of the 2nd Ranger Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
- 2022–2023 Planning Officer S-3 / Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion / Operations Command;
- 2023–2025 Chief of S-3/7 / Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion / Operations Command.
Promotions:
- 2004 – Second Lieutenant
- 2008 – Lieutenant
- 2011 – Captain
- 2016 – Major
- 2025 – Lieutenant Colonel
The battalion continues the tradition of the 15th Porechka assault brigade which was founded on the 27th of August, 1944 in the village Breznica, Makedonski Brod. Thus, the 27th of August is set to be the Day of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) by a decree brought by the President of the Republic of Macedonia and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorgje Ivanov.
Up to 2006 it was called the 1st Infantry Battalion within the 2nd Infantry Brigade.
In April, 2006 it was renamed to 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion within the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
In accordance with the new reorganization of the units in the ARM, in May 2012 the Battalion was renamed to 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion within the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
During its existence, the Battalion personnel took part in numerous peacekeeping missions and conflict prevention missions led by NATO including the ISAF, Iraqi Freedom, ALTEA and Resolute Support in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as, many international military exercises.
3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion personnel took part in the following peacekeeping missions:
- Resolute Support: July 2017 – January 2018 – 4 (2-officers, 2-privates);
- Resolute Support: July 2016 – January 2017 – 2 (1-officer, 1-private);
- Resolute Support: July 2015 – January 2016 – 1 (1-officer);
- ISAF – 23 : January 2014 – July 2014 -50 (3-officers, 9-NCOs, 38-privates);
- ISAF – 22: July 2012 – January 2013 – 3/3 MIBde 43 (1-officer, 10-NCOs, 32-privates);
- ISAF – 21: January 2012 – July 2012 – 3/3 MIBde 147 (9-officer, 36-NCOs, 102-privates);
- ISAF – 17: January 2010 – July 2010 – 1/1 MIBn 148 (9-officers, 37-NCOs, 102-privates);
- Iraqi Freedom: June 2008 – December 2008 – 36 (3-officers, 9-NCOs, 24-privates);
- ISAF – 12: July 2007 – January 2008 – 2/1 MIBn 125 (7-officers, 18-NCOs, 100-privates);
- ISAF – 11: January 2007 – July 2007 – 24 ( 2-officers, 8-NCOs, 24-privates);
- ISAF – 10: August 2006 – January 2007 – 21 (2-officers, 2-NCOs, 16-privates);
- ISAF – 8: August 2005 – February 2006 – 19 (1-officer, 2-NCOs, 16-privates).
3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion personnel took part in the following international military exercises:
- International Military Exercise „Mission Readiness“ in Germany 02-18.12.2013;
- International Military Exercise „Anaconda-16“ in Poland 07-17.06.2016.
The Battalion also assists and supports state and local authorities, and civilian organizations in dealing with natural disasters, epidemics, technological disasters and other disasters.
