The 27^th anniversary of the establishment of the Special Forces of the Croatian Army and the Special Forces Command Day were marked in the Barracks “Stožerni brigadir Ante Šaškor“  in Delnice on 18 May 2018. The ceremony was attended by the Defence and National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic Vlado Galić, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov as Envoy of the  Deputy Prime Minister of the Government and Defence Minister, by the Deputy Chief of the General Staf, Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, of the Military Diplomatic Corps, wartime commanders and former unit members, the representatives of the associations from the Homeland War and of the local government. Extending the President’s congratulations, her Defence and National Security Advisor Vlado Galić, who himself was a member of the former special forces unit “Bojna Zrinski“, said that belonging to special units was an immense honour and pride. “The green beret was a recognisable symbol of the glorious time; we have the duty to pass on the truth to the  young generations on the Homeland War as the fundamental value of the modern Croatia. Special units are expected to constantly train, strive towards new capabilities and face new challenges“. Congratulating the Special Forces Command, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov expressed gratitude to the fallen members, “whose sacrifice has to live on, as a model of living and building the homeland“. He reminded that the Croatian military incorporated special units since 1991, which have  throughout the time  adapted  to the current situation, changing the name and the structure, but have remained the élite force.

“The special forces had a crucial role in all liberating operations of the Homeland War, amd have been one of the principal components; they are apable of responding to any security challenges of the modern world. It is at once a great honour and responsibility. In wartime and in peacetime alike the special forces are assigned with the hardest tasks, are ready to sacrifice and loyal“. The Chief of the General Staff also praised the instructors and lecturers for their demanding and responsible duty of passing on their skills and knowledge on the special forces and other components of the armed forces. “The members of the Special Forces Command have proved from day to day to be interoperable, deployable and ready forces capable of responding to any challenges. You are professionals,  an élite force – well-trained, precise, adaptable to any conditions and requirement. Over the past 27 years special forces have become a top-trained and equipped unit of the Croatian Armed Forces“, said the Chief of the General Staff. The Commander of the Special Forces Command, Brigadier General Perica Turalija said that in the early days of the Homeland War the special forces were established to deliver rapid and efficient response to the enemy actions, The first elite unit, established on 18 May 1991 was Bojna (Battalion) “Zrinski“, composed of the most competent individuals. Its tradition continued to live in the Special Operations Battalion and in the new Special Forces Command respectively. The development of interoperable, deployable and mission ready special forces, capable of responding to the current and future security challenges is the sole option”, said Commander  Turalija, who underlined that the conduct of most complex tasks within international military exercises and special forces operations ensured development and attainment of capabilities of countering non-conventional theats such as terrorism, hybrid warfare, and cyber attacks. The mandatory individual readiness has been proved continuosly, as in the recent  competition “Memorial Maj. Davor Jović – First for Croatia”, won by a member of the Special Forces Command. The abilities of the Command’s members have also been recognised by NATO Special Forces Headquaters, where various posts in the planning and operational component  have been manned by the Croatian special forces members, and  the Commander of NATO SOF Headquarters, VAdm Kilrain during his recent visit praised the engagement of the members of the Croatian Special Forces Command in Resolute Support in Afghanistan and in KFOR. Today, the Command is an élite component of the Croatian Armed Forces that has developed the capabilities to conduct special land, sea and aerial operations in the national territory, in NATO activities and in coalition operations; the confidence in the acquired capabilities, the wartime and international experience are a strong guarantee of the Command’s constancy, regardless of where the threats come from. The members of the Special Forces Command as true professionals and patriots will be ready to respond to any challenges faced in Croatia and beyond“, said Brig. Gen. Turalija.  The ceremony also featured a  presentation of the awards to the meriting members of the Command, a static display and a demonstration exercise, as well as a wreath laying to the fallen members of the special forces at the memorial cross in the Barracks and a mass celebrated in the church of Sv. Ivan Krstitelj.