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 Slavcho Kuzmanoski
Lieutenant Colonel Slavcho Kuzmanoski was born in Prilep in 1977. After completing his primary and secondary education in Prilep, he continued his military education at the Military Academy “General Mihajlo Apostolski” in Skopje, where he graduated in 2000.
He started his military career as a commander of a Command Platoon in a 120 mm Mortar Battery in the 2nd Honour Guard Battalion in the 1st Honour Guard Brigade in Skopje.
In his career so far he has performed several duties at the level of Battery and Battalion,
Commander of the MLRS BM-21 GRAD battery in the Artillery Battalion (2002-2006); Commander of the MLRS BM-21 GRAD stand-alone Artillery Battalion (2006-2007); Commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, (2007-2010); Head of the S-3 in the command of a self-propelled howitzer Artillery Battalion (2010-2012); Head of the S-3 in the command of the Artillery Battalion, (2013-2016) and Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Artillery Battalion in the 1st Infantry Brigade (2016-2020).
On 13.10.2020 he was appointed Commander of Artillery Battalion.
He upgraded his military education in 2014, graduating from the Command Staff Academy in Saumur, Republic of France.
During his professional career, Lieutenant Colonel Slavcho Kuzmanoski completed several courses and trainings. Course for platoon commanders in artillery units (Draguignan, R. France, 2000), Course for military terminology in French (Budapest, Hungary, 2006), Course for battery commanders and fire support officers (Draguignan, R. France, 2007), Course for Military Terminology in English (Budapest, Hungary, 2011) and Course in Exercise Planning Process (Podgorica, Montenegro, 2019).
He participated in several military exercises in the country and abroad: MACEDONIAN FLESH 07 (TA “Krivolak”), RAPID TRIDENT (Lviv, Ukraine, 2010), RAPID TRIDENT (Lviv, Ukraine, 2012), REGEX 16 (Banja Luka, BiH, 2016), DYNAMIC FRONT 18 (Grafenwühr, Germany, 2018) and DECISIVE STRIKE (TA “Krivolak”, 2019).
For the exceptional results and the performance of duties he has been awarded numerous awards and commendations, such as Bronze Medal for National Defense of the Republic of France (2000-2001), Bronze Badge of the Army (2015), Commendation from the Commander of JOC (2017), Commendation from the Commander of the 1st Artillery Brigade (2020) and Silver Badge for long service in the Army (2020).
Lieutenant Colonel Kuzmanoski is married and father of two children. Until 1998 he professionally played volleyball as a member of the VC “October 11” from Prilep. He speaks French and English.
Previous duties:
- Commander of a Command Platoon in a 120 mm mortar battery in the 2nd Honour Guard Battalion in the 1st Honour Guard Brigade , 2000-2001;
- Commander of the MLRS BM-21 GRAD battery in the Artillery Battalion (2002-2006);
- Commander of the MLRS BM-21 GRAD stand-alone Artillery Battalion (2006-2007);
- Commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, (2007-2010);
- Head of the S-3 in the command of a self-propelled howitzer Artillery Battalion (2010-2012);
- Head of the S-3 in the command of the Artillery Battalion, (2013-2016);
- Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Artillery Battalion in the 1st Infantry Brigade (2016-2020).
Promotions:
- 2ndLieutenant, 2000-2001;
- Lieutenant, 2001-2004;
- Captain, 2004-2010;
- Major, 2010-2016;
- Lieutenant Colonel.
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.
