The send-off ceremony for the 2^nd HRVCON to EFP in Poland was held in the barracks of the 5^th Guards Brigade in ​​Vinkovci on 3 April 2018, concurrently with the marking of the 11th anniversary of the establishment of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade, and was attended by the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov, the Commander of the Croatian Army Brigadier General Siniša Jurković, the Commander of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier General Denis Tretinjak, the Prefect of the Vukovar-Srijem County Božo Galić, local authorities and members of the Parliament, as well as by the representatives of associations of parents of the fallen Croatian defenders. The delegation of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces laid wreaths and lit candles at the memorial to the fallen defenders, followed by a mass celebration led by Rev. Marko Medo, vicar-general and chaplain of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces. During the ceremony, that was preceded by a mass recited by Marko Medo, the vicar of the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces, the Defence Minister reiterated the importance of promoting professionalism, readiness, high trainedness and human approach of the Croatian soldiers deployed to international missions. “To be a member of a guards brigade was and still is a duty of honour and pride; the guards brigades were the main force of the Croatian Army, and their members, well-equipped, trained and highly motivated were the key to reaching the final victory in the Homeland War“. “The Croatian military has to promote the symbols and values ​​of the Homeland War, Through our participation in this activity we demonstrate our commitment to NATO’s values ​​and primarily our solidarity with the people of Poland We are stregthening alliance and interoperability of the Croatian Armed Forces and sharing valuable experience and stepping up our strength.

The image of the Croatian soldiers, already an international brand, is an image of an athlete, and top-prepared individuals capable of handling the assigned tasks and challenges “. The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov took this opportunity to congratulate on the patriotism guarding the memory of the wartime brigades – the “Kune“ (3^rd), “Pume“(7^th ) and “Sokolovi“ (9^th) brigades of the Croatian Army. The Commander of the Croatian Army Brigadier General Siniša Jurković emphasised that the sending off of the 2^nd HRVCON connects the history of the Croatian military and the future based on strength, capabilities and skills of each member of the Croatian Army. A special focus has been on the young members, the NCOs and officers succeding the winners of the Homeland War. Our strength is always in togetherness“. The Commander of the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade Brigadier General Denis Tretinjak expressed belief in the success of the mission, given the high level of preparedness and the pre-deployment training. The Commander of the 2^nd HRVCON, Captain Dario Bilješković, said that he was pleased with the presence of the family members and friends and emphasised that the 2nd HRVCON combined youth and experience and succeded in acquiring the required capabilities within a short time period. The ceremony was followed by cornestone laying for the new chapel and the presentation of the promotions and awards to the meriting members.