Lieutenant Colonel Zoran Cvetkovski
The Rangers Battalion was formed in December 2003 from the three units that were disbanded, the Reconnaissance Battalion (a unit formed in 1993), the 501st Parachute Detachment (a unit formed in 2001), and personnel from the Special Forces Battalion (a unit formed in 1994).
Over the past period, the Rangers Battalion has achieved exceptional results in building the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and has made a major contribution to the defence of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as to the promotion of the Army and the country abroad through exercises and combat missions.
These achievements are due to the selfless commitment of its personnel, their professionalism, unity, dedication, modesty, thoroughness, completeness in carrying out the tasks, initiative, personal exertion, bravery, the introduction of new standards and criteria in the training of the unit and the Army as a whole, as well as individual and collective devotion.
When the Rangers Battalion was established, very high standards were set, standards that every RANGER has to meet, standards that guarantee a highly professional and trained special unit, standards that for many are only a dream.
With the start of the basic special forces course carried out by instructors from the Turkish Armed Forces in 2004 and 2005, the ordeal of the MACEDONIAN RANGERS began. Based on these two courses, the RANGER COURSE began, which, since 2006 until today represents a challenge for the best in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.
Since the formation of the Rangers Battalion until today, many successful missions have been carried out outside the Republic of Macedonia:
- Mission “Iraqi Freedom-4”, in 2004-2005
- Mission “Iraqi Freedom-5”, in 2005
- Mission “Iraqi Freedom-6”, in 2005-2006
- Mission “Iraqi Freedom-10”, in 2007-2008
- Mission “Iraqi Freedom-11”, in 2008
- Mission “Phoenix – Afghanistan”, in 2010
- Mission ISAF – Afghanistan
- Mission ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- NATO (KFOR) in the Republic of Kosovo
- NATO (enhanced Forward Presence – eFP) in the Republic of Latvia
- NATO (Forward Land Forces – FLF) in the Republic of Latvia
- NATO (enhanced Vigilance Activity – eVA) in the Republic of Bulgaria
- NATO (enhanced Vigilance Activity – eVA) in the Republic of Romania
During the missions “Iraqi Freedom” and “Phoenix-Afghanistan,” there were many cases where the service personnel of the Rangers Battalion located and captured individuals who were on the wanted lists issued by the coalition partners.
While carrying out combat tasks in the missions “Iraqi Freedom” and “Phoenix-Afghanistan,” on several occasions, the patrols of the Rangers contingents were hit by improvised explosive devices. Thanks to the training and the use of appropriate tactical procedures by the Rangers Battalion members, there were no seriously injured personnel.
The courage, training and calmness of the members of the Rangers Battalion in the missions “Iraqi Freedom” and “Phoenix-Afghanistan”, during the numerous fights with the insurgents, both in and outside the populated areas, resulted in minimal injuries and no casualties among the Macedonian Rangers.
During the missions “Iraqi Freedom” and “Phoenix-Afghanistan”, large quantities of weapons and ammunition used by the insurgents for attacks against civilians and coalition forces were also discovered.
In the aforementioned missions, the Macedonian Rangers were part of the Armed Forces of the United States, and it must be emphasized that they received recognition from the highest authorities. The members of the Rangers Battalion have received:
- 5 Bronze Medals
- 25 Army Commendation Medals
- 30 Army Achievement Medals and
- 33 NATO Medals
Within NATO’s Operational Capability Concept (OCC) for participation of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in NATO-led missions, a Long-Range Surveillance Company (LRS Company) was declared from the Rangers Battalion, as the first declared unit of the Army.
Following the order to form the Long-Range Surveillance Company in 2006, the members of the Rangers Battalion began its implementation with great enthusiasm and dedication.
The Rangers Battalion faced major challenges, primarily regarding the compatibility with similar units from the NATO member armies and began paving the way for successful implementation of the operational capability concept in the Army.
During the NATO evaluations, at the final assessment in 2010, the LRS Company was rated “Combat Ready,” meeting the highest standards in every evaluated area.
With this, the Rangers Battalion, directly involved in building the capabilities of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, demonstrated that it is a unit with exceptional personnel, full of determination and enthusiasm, contributing significantly toward achieving the NATO membership standards.
ON 18 AUGUST 2011, BY DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, THE RANGERS BATTALION WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL FOR MILITARY MERIT.
2007
The focus of training in 2007 was placed on the declared Long-Range Surveillance Company, aimed at successful presentation and excellent results in Level 1 self-evaluation, conducted from 29.10.2007 to 04.11.2007.
The unit received the highest rating, INTEROPERABLE – EXCELLENT.
During 2007, the Battalion participated in the exercise “Macedonian Flash – 2,” in the period from 29.10.-04.11.2007 where the Level 1 self-evaluation of the LRS Company was conducted.
During 2007, preparations were also made for one contingent to be deployed on missions in Iraq. The preparations began on 29.08.2007 and the deployment took place on 08.12.2007.
2008
The focus of training in 2008 was placed on the declared Long-Range Surveillance Company, with the aim of successfully presenting the unit and achieving excellent results in the NATO Level 1 evaluation, which was conducted in the period from 29.04.2008 to 05.05.2008.
At the same time, a contingent from the declared company was being prepared for participation in a mission in Iraq, which departed on 02.06.2008 to carry out missions in Iraq until 08.12.2008.
In the period from 29.04.2008 to 05.05.2008, at the TC “Pepelishte,” the exercise “STEP FORWARD-08” was organized and carried out by the Rangers Battalion. In addition to the members of the Battalion, a smaller number of personnel from the Special Operations Regiment, the VING and the Logistics Support Command also participated in the exercise. The exercise “STEP FORWARD-08” was carried out for the purpose of conducting the NATO Level 1 evaluation of the Long-Range Surveillance Company (LRS Company) within the Battalion.
During 2008, two contingents were prepared for missions in Iraq, of which only one was deployed in the period from 02.06-08.12.2008, while the second contingent stopped the preparations due to the cancellation of the mission “Iraqi Freedom”.
The contingent “Iraqi Freedom-11” also underwent training in Kuwait conducted by the MPRI team from the United States in the period from 03.06-12.06.2008.
2009
The focus of training in 2009 was placed on the declared Long-Range Surveillance Company, with the aim of successfully presenting the unit and conducting the NATO Level 2 self-evaluation, which was carried out in the period from 18 to 22 May, 2009.
As of 14.09.2009, the Rangers Course was initiated for all newly admitted members of the Rangers Battalion. The training was conducted according to the plan approved by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.
During 2009, an order was received to begin the training of a contingent for a mission in Afghanistan, together with the Vermont National Guard of the United States.
A training plan for the Afghanistan contingent was developed and followed accordingly.
In the period from 24.08-14.09.2009, training was conducted in the Republic of Macedonia with instructors from the United States Army, and in the period from 01-19.11.2009, training was conducted at Fort Polk, Louisiana, USA.
2010
Preparations for the contingent for Afghanistan. In the periods from 02-09.02.2010, and 13-19.03.2010, the final preparations of the contingent took place at the ATA “Krivolak”. The latest procedures for dealing with IEDs were practiced with a mobile training team as well as shooting exercises using the weapons and equipment to be used during patrols with the members of the Vermont National Guard.
A Selective Course. A Selective Course was also conducted in 2010 for the admission of personnel into the Special Operations Regiment, in which the Rangers Battalion regularly contributed with command staff and experienced instructors.
2013
During 2013, the Rangers Battalion, participated in multiple activities with foreign armies, held both in the country and abroad.
An exercise on the topic “Long-Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance” was conducted in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the United States (Marine Corps) and members of the Long-Range Surveillance Company at Stenkovec, in the period from 24-28.06.2013. The purpose of the exercise was the exchange of experience with the members of the Marine Corps.
Additionally, one platoon from the Long-Range Surveillance Company took part in the joint international exercise “JOINT REACTION 13” in the Republic of Albania, from 02-07.06.2013. Platoons from the special forces of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia participated in the exercise. The Rangers platoon represented the Battalion and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in the best possible way, receiving praise for its expertise and professionalism from all attending authorities. In the period from 10-27.09.2013, five members of the Battalion attended an alpinism instructors course with the Armed Forces of Switzerland.
As part of the bilateral cooperation with the United States, medic training was conducted with the U.S. Armed Forces from 28.10-01.11.2013 at the Military Medical Center in Skopje and from 04-08.11.2013 at the barracks “Ilinden”.
2016
In 2016, in addition to its planned and regular activities, the Rangers Battalion was engaged in the regions of Gevgelija and Dojran, providing assistance to the Ministry of Interior in dealing with the migrant crisis.
During 2016, the Battalion also participated in peace support operations in the mission “ALTHEA” in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It was also involved in the flood recovery operations in the Skopje region.
2017
In the period from 24.05-17.06.2017, the members of the unit participated in the international exercise “Combined Resolve VIII” in Germany.
Furthermore, from 26.06-08.07.2017, the members participated in the international exercise “Common Challenge 17” in Montenegro.
In 2017, in addition to its planned and regular activities, the Rangers Battalion was engaged in the regions of Gevgelija and Dojran, assisting the Ministry of Interior in dealing with the migrant crisis.
2018
In 2018, in addition to its planned and regular activities, the Rangers Battalion was engaged in the regions of Gevgelija and Dojran, providing assistance to the Ministry of Interior in dealing with the migrant crisis.
Two members participated in the peacekeeping mission “Resolute Support” in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
The exercise “Autumn Storm 2018” was conducted, in which unit members participated at the level of a SOBG. During the exercise, the operational and tactical capabilities of the Rangers Battalion unit were coordinated for carrying out joint special operations with the other units of the Army, the Ministry of Interior, the Crisis Management Center and the Protection and Rescue Directorate.
2019
During 2019, the Rangers Battalion participated in multiple activities with foreign armies, conducted both in the country and abroad, such as:
- MANEUVER MOUNTAIN WARFARE II: A field exercise conducted in the United States from 22 to 24 March The purpose of the exercise was to introduce the participants to the tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in difficult mountain terrains.
- IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 19: A field exercise conducted in the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Hungary in the period from 20.05-08.06. The purpose of the exercise was to promote regional stability and security, strengthen partner capacities and increase trust by improving the interoperability between USAREUR and the armed forces of the participating countries. The exercise also aimed to demonstrate the combat readiness, the strategic mobility in response to threats and the maintenance of the joint and combined interoperability in accordance with NATO SOPs for engaging units from the NATO Response Force (NRF).
- TORRI 19: A field exercise conducted in the Republic of Italy in the period from 03.07-13.07. The purpose of the exercise was to enable increased contribution to current and future NATO-led alpinism operations.
- SABER JUNCTION 19: A field exercise conducted in Germany from 10.09-01.10.2019. The purpose of the exercise was to conduct joint land operations through a simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stabilization operations appropriate to the mission and environment.
- COMMON CHALLENGE 19: A field exercise conducted in Montenegro from 11.09-27.09.2019. The purpose of the exercise was to maintain and improve the capabilities for mountain warfare and to achieve interoperability in joint operations under a UN mandate and led by NATO.
- CAMBRIAN PATROL 19: A field exercise conducted in Wales, United Kingdom, from 13-19.10. The purpose of the exercise was a representative presentation of the Army. This is an international military exercise requiring completion of a 60 km route with obstacles and incidents in less than 48 hours.
2020
In 2020, in addition to its planned and regular activities, the Rangers Battalion was engaged in the regions of Gevgelija and Dojran, providing assistance to the Ministry of Interior in dealing with the migrant crisis, as well as securing vital facilities in Skopje.
The Battalion was also engaged in assisting the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health in responding to and dealing with COVID-19 in Skopje.
An Instructors Training Course was conducted with Mobile Training Teams (MTT) from the Army of the United Kingdom at the TC “Pepelishte” in the period 02.02.2020 to 23.02.2020.
A demonstration exercise was conducted on 09.03.2020 for primary school students from the Municipality of Kisela Voda, at a climbing tower, performed by the female personnel from the Rangers Battalion.
These exercises were carried out to present to the visitors part of the Battalion’s combat training and readiness.
2021
In 2021, members of the Rangers Battalion participated in the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo from 01.05.2021-09.11.2021.
Two members participated in the international exercise “Best Soldier,” held from 25.04-30.04.2021 in Kosovo.
The Battalion was also engaged in assisting the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health in dealing with COVID-19 in Skopje.
2022
In 2022, in addition to its regular activities, the Rangers Battalion participated in several international exercises both abroad and in our country, including:
- JCET (Joint Combined Exchange Training) with the U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).
- “INFORMATION COLLECTION PLANNING PROCEDURES”
- “SEVEN STARS 22”
- “COMBINED RESOLVE 17”
- “COLD RESPONSE 22”
- “КFOR 31”
- “CAMBRIAN PATROL 22”
- “COLD RESPONSE”
2023
During 2023, the unit participated in international operations in the mission “KFOR” in Kosovo, as well as in the mission “enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA)” and “enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA)” in Bulgaria.
The unit also provided support to the state institutions and local authorities in dealing with the consequences of natural disasters and other emergencies during crisis situations.
From 10.08.2023 to 27.08.2023, the unit, with 15 members, actively participated in a humanitarian operation in the Republic of Slovenia.
As of 01.10.2023, with the transformation of the Army, the Rangers Battalion was transformed into Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion within the Operations Command.
2024
During 2024, the unit participated in the international operations in the mission “KFOR” in Kosovo, the mission “enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA)” in Romania, the mission “enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA)” and the mission “NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP)” in Latvia.
In the period from 30.07.2024 to 31.07.2024, the unit was engaged in the operations for putting out wildfires in the area “Jasen” near Skopje, with 20 members of the Battalion involved in these actions.
The unit also supported state institutions and local authorities in managing the consequences of natural disasters and other emergencies during crisis situations.
During 2024, the unit actively participated in dealing with the crisis situation declared on the territory of the Municipality of Gazi Baba.
