Mission:
To provide fire support for the units during operations defending and protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic, peace support and humanitarian operations conducted abroad, and support for the local authorities in repairing the damages caused by natural disasters.
Tasks:
- Planning and organizing;
- Planning and implementation;
- Planning and conducting training and exercises;
- Planning and human resources management;
- Intelligence, counter intelligence and force protection;
- Logistic support;
- CIS organizing and preparation;
- Financial planning;
- Civil Military Cooperation.
Lieutenant Colonel Sashko Paleski
Lieutenant Colonel Sashko Paleski was born in 1980 in Kavadarci. After completing primary and secondary school in Prilep, he continued his military education at the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” in Skopje, where he graduated in 2003. He began his military career as a Commander of the 2nd Fire Platoon in the Artillery Battery of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, within the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Ohrid. Since 2007, he has served in the Artillery Battalion, where he has held the following positions: Self-reliant Platoon Commander, Battery Deputy Commander, Battery Commander, Chief of S-3/5/7, and his most recent position, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Artillery Battalion.
He has further developed his military education during his career through numerous courses, the most significant of which are:
- Training Course for Instructors, Vishkov, Czech Republic;
- International Humanitarian Law Course, Skopje;
- Instructor Course for Improvised Explosive Devices, Kunduz, Afghanistan;
- Battalion Staff Officers Course – Military Academy, Skopje;
- Military Decision-making Process Course, Prilep;
- Exercise Planning Process Course, Podgorica, Montenegro;
- Evaluators Course under the Operational Capabilities Concept, Cork, Republic of Ireland;
- Unit Combat Readiness Evaluators Course, Oberammergau, Germany.
He completed the Command and Staff College, as well as a Master’s degree in Military Arts, in Shrivenham, United Kingdom, during the period 2021–2022.
In addition to his primary duties, a significant highlight of his career is his involvement in planning processes and the execution of both national and international exercises, among which the following stand out:
- “Rapid Trident 2010 and 2012” in L’viv, Ukraine;
- “Trident Juncture 2015” in Zaragoza, Spain as Force Protection Officer at JFC Brunssum;
- The “Macedonian Flash” exercise series, as an Operations Officer;
- “Dynamic Front 19” – Grafenwöhr, Germany;
- “REGEX19” – Macedonia;
- “Decisive Strike 2019” – Macedonia;
- “Maple Arch 24” – Veles, Macedonia;
- “Dynamic Front 25” – Grafenwöhr, Germany.
The achievements in his work have been recognized by the authorities, for which he has been awarded the following honors:
- Non-Article 5 NATO Medal – for participation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan in 2007;
- Certificate of Appreciation from the German Army – for participation in the OMLT mission in 2009;
- Army Gold Badge – awarded in 2012;
- Army Bronze Service Badge – for long-term service, awarded in 2015;
- Silver Badge for Partnership and Cooperation – awarded in 2020;
- Silver Badge for Long-Term Service in the Army – awarded in 2024;
- Bronze Badge for Partnership and Cooperation – awarded in 2024.
Military Career:
- 2003-2006 Commander of the 2nd Fire Platoon and the Self-reliant Platoon in the 2nd IBn, 2nd IBde, Ohrid;
- 2007-2009 Commander of Self-reilant Platoon BM21 in ArtyBn;
- 2009-2010 Deputy Commander of Artillery Battery;
- 2020-2017 Commander of Command Battery;
- 2017-2020 Chief of S-3/5-7 Section in ArtyBn;
- 2020-2025 Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff at
Promotions
- Second Lieutenant 2003-2006,
- Lieutenant 2006-2009,
- Captain 2009-2014,
- Major 2014-2020,
- Lieutenant-Colonel 2020.
He is proficient in English language.
Mr. Palevski is married and has one child. He is passionate amateur long-distance runner and participant in numerous mountain and street races in the country and abroad.
The Artillery Battalion (artb) is a unit which in its composition has a high percentage of functional technique, excellent professionals, impeccable command and vast experience that affirms this unit in all areas of training, operations and execution of assigned tasks.
The Artillery Battalion members with pride and dignity continue fostering the libertarian tradition of the fighters from the Fifth Macedonian National Liberation Assault Brigade, called “Prilepska”, which with its core of experienced and tough fighters gave a huge contribution to the National Liberation Struggle.
With the establishment of the Army in 1992, in the barracks in Prilep was established the 2nd Mixed Artillery Regiment; it was located in the barracks “Mirche Acev” in Prilep, and was initially modestly equipped with artillery weaponry.
In 1999 Bulgaria donated 122 mm howitzers, and afterwards launchers BM-21 GRAD were obtained.
Though initially with modest facilities and equipment, each year 4 generations of recruits in the branch artillery were trained. Each generation performed camping and ABG at the training area “Krivolak”, and the results were always assessed with excellence.
The Reserve Officers School – branch artillery functioned in the period from 1997 to 2000, and three generations of reserve officers of the branch artillery were trained there.
In July 2002, with the restructuring of the Army, the 2nd MAP was transformed into an artillery battalion within the Land Forces. The unit was manned by professional soldiers who had artillery training in order to raise the professionalism to a higher level. The training is performed in accordance with SOP of the NATO member countries.
With the transformation of the Army in 2006, the Artillery Battalion was transformed into a self-propelled howitzer battalion 155 mm, within the JOC and was moved to the barracks “Aleksa Demnievski-Bauman” in Veles, but the artillery weaponry equipment remained the same. With the departure of the last recruit from the class of October 2006, the unit consists entirely of professional soldiers.
With the new formational structure of ARM from 2012, the Artillery Battalion is within the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, located in the barracks “Mirche Acev” in Prilep.
The Artillery Battalion composition is professional. The training is carried out on sites around the barracks, while ABG is carried out at the training area Krivolak. According to the determination of the state leadership and the military leadership to join NATO and the EU, the training is conducted in accordance with the SOP of the NATO member countries.
Most of the personnel is educated and has attended courses, seminars and KSA, at home and abroad, and they unselfishly share their experiences and knowledge with the other personnel.
In the recent period most of the unit has been involved in international exercises, carried out at the training area Krivolak.
The Artillery Battalion is a powerful formation whose mission is fire support to units of the 1st MIB, and soon fire support to units engaged in a mission as well. The Declared Battery within the battalion in May 2012 passed the NATO Evaluation Level 1, which was evaluated by NATO evaluators with the highest grades. In 2013 there was a new challenge for the Declared Battery – NATO Evaluation Level 2.
Besides the training, within the monthly work plans are organized lectures on current issues, in order to raise the health culture and environmental awareness to a higher level. These lectures are organized in cooperation with the Red Cross and the environmental organizations. The Battalion members are actively involved in activities to assist and support local self-government, associations, sports associations and other civil structures.
On the occasion of “20 Years of the Army Jubilee”, for their effort and results achieved for the functional and battle training of their unit, four members from the Battalion were awarded an Army silver badge for their long service in the Army, by the Minister of Defence. One member was awarded an Army silver badge, and one member an Army bronze badge for their effort and results achieved for the functional and battle training of their unit.
The Artillery Battalion with all its attributes is among the best organized military units, and its hierarchy guarantees its success that seriously contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Army. The battalion has faced many challenges, having in mind its previous transformations, historical periods and future trials, but the competence of its team on all levels is a guarantee for its future.
