Mission:
To prepare and organize the defence and protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty and independence of the Republic. To assist, within it area of operation, the MIA during operations if the security of the country is endangered. To support the state authorities, the local government and various institutions and organizations as well as the citizens when dealing with natural disasters, epidemics, technical and technological catastrophes in its area of operation.
To take part in peace keeping missions and conflicts prevention NATO, UN, OSCE and EU led activities. To contribute to dealing with regional conflicts and crises as well as to protect the wider interests of the Republic.
Tasks:
- To alert, move, transport and rapidly deploy the units to places, areas and regions;
- To plan, organize and conduct offensive and defensive operations and urban area operations;
- To control the territory, to seal directions and to secure regions;
- To give combat-service supports to the units in peace time, during crisis and war;
- To conduct command and control;
- To support MIA when dealing with threats, risks and dangers for the security of the Republic;
- To support the state authorities and local government units when dealing with natural disasters, epidemics and technical and technological catastrophes;
- To take part in peace keeping missions and conflicts prevention missions abroad and to protect wider interests of the Republic;
- To plan and conduct personnel and commands training according to NATO standards and procedures and to fully implement the system for training management, to develop leaders-training instructors.
Lieutenant Colonel Ristoski Tomica
Lieutenant Colonel Ristoski Tomica was born on 25 November 1980, in Tetovo, where he finished primary and secondary school. His military career began in 2004 after graduating from the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” in Skopje. As an artillery officer, his first assignment was a platoon commander in the Artillery Battalion of the 2nd MIBde. He later served in 1st IBn of the 2nd MIBde as a platoon commander in the 120mm mortar battery. During this period, he completed various courses in fire support, military operations, and combat readiness, including the NATO Operational Capabilities Concept Evaluation and Feedback Course in 2008 and the Company Commander Course at the Military Academy in 2014.
In 2015, he was promoted to Commander of the 120mm Mortar Battery in the 3rd IBn of the 1st IBde. He participated in numerous exercises, including the Macedonian Flash and Decisive Strike.
In 2019, he was appointed Chief of Sections S-3/5/7 in the Command of the 3rd IBn, within 1st IBde. The same year he participated in the international exercise Dynamic Front in Germany.
In 2020, he pursued postgraduate studies at the U.S. Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, specializing in Command and Staff Posts, earning a Master’s in Military Science.
After his specialization, in 2021, he was assigned to the Army General Staff J-3 section, focusing on NATO-led overseas operations and psychological operations.
Between June and December 2016, he participated in NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan as a training and exercise officer in the Training, Advising, and Assistance Command in Kabul.
Lieutenant Colonel Tomica Ristoski has received multiple commendations, certificates, and awards, including silver and bronze badge from the Chief of the General Staff of the Army and the NATO Non-Article 5 medal for his participation in the Resolute Support Mission.
He holds an English language proficiency certificate STANAG 6001 Level 3.3.3.3 and he has a basic knowledge of German and French. He is married and the father of two children.
Previous Assignments:
- 1st Fire Platoon Commander, 105mm Howitzer Battery, Artillery Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 2004;
- Command Platoon Commander, 120mm Mortar Battery, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 2004–2006;
- 2nd Fire Platoon Commander, 120mm Mortar Battery, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 2006–2010;
- 1st Fire Platoon Commander, 120mm Mortar Battery, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 2010–2015;
- 120mm Mortar Battery Commander, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, 2015–2019;
- Chief of Sections S-3/5/7 in the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, 2019–2020;
- Officer for NATO-led operations abroad the Republic of North Macedonia, J-3 Section, General Staff of the Army, 2021–2023;
- Officer for managing and monitoring psychological operations, J-3 Section, General Staff of the Army, 2023.
Promotions:
- Second Lieutenant -July 2004;
- Lieutenant -August 2006;
- Captain, December 2012;
- Major-December 2017;
- Lieutenant Colonel-August 2023.
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.
