The 28^th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Armed Forces, Croatian Armed Forces Day and Croatian Army Day were observed at the Headquarters of the Croatian Armed Forces “Zvonimir” on 27^th May. The ceremony featured the naming of Croatian Armed Forces Square and Croatian National Guard Drive in the centre of the complex housing the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces in Zagreb. Afterwards, an exhibition featuring Croatian defence industry products was opened.

The ceremony was attended by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence Damir Krstičević, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, the envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia and the Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zrinko Petener, the Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (DCMC) Lieutenant General Steven M. Shepro, Special Adviser to the Minister of Defence Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ante Gotovina, commanders of service branches of the Croatian Armed Forces, heads of directorates at the Ministry of Defence, commanders of staff units, etc.

The tradition of naming central areas at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff was continued on the occasion of the 28^th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Armed Forces. The names of Croatian Armed Forces Square and Croatian National Guard Drive are an homage to the Croatian Armed Forces and all parties involved in its formation and thus in the creation of a free and independent Republic of Croatia.

“The Croatian Armed Forces were not inherited from Yugoslavia. Its foundations were laid in the Homeland War. I am glad that the Croatian Armed Forces are imbued with values from the Homeland War and that this drive was named after the Croatian National Guard, the forerunner to the Croatian Armed Forces. I extend my appreciation to all enlisted soldiers, NCOs and officers for everything they have done for our country and its armed forces,” Minister Krstičević said.

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ante Gotovina said that the Croatian Armed Forces continually asserted themselves as a guarantee for Croatia’s safety and stability. “Emotions run high on a day like this. Everywhere in the world, including Croatia, armed forces are one of the most important pillars of national security,” Lieutenant General (Ret.) Gotovina underlined.

On the occasion of the 28^th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković opened a showroom featuring Croatian defence industry products. “We have an excellent defence industry and I am glad that this showroom has been opened so that visiting foreign delegations can witness the quality of our products,” Minister Krstičević said.

At the Headquarters of the Croatian Armed Forces, dignitaries recalled the important role played by the veterans of the Homeland War (1991-1995) in the creation of a free and independent Croatian state as well as the importance of further investments in the development and modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces.

The President’s envoy congratulated the members of the Croatian Armed Forces on their anniversary and thanked them on their contribution to the reputation that the Croatian Armed Forces enjoy on the international scene.

“Through the development of a culture of excellence in which success, dedication and personal improvement are the first and only point of reference for every Croatian soldier, it is warranted that the Croatian Armed Forces will continue to be a guarantee for Croatia’s security, prosperity and welfare,” Zrinko Petener.

Recalling the Great Changing of the Guard, a demonstration exercise on Lake Jarun and international military exercise Immediate Response from the weekend before, Minister Krstičević underlined that respects to former and current members of the Croatian Armed Forces as well as all veterans of the Homeland War were paid with dignity.

“May we find motivation in their sacrifice so that we could fight for Croatia’s interests and the Croatian Armed Forces today with equal ardour. Led by Croatia’s first president Franjo Tuđman and the minister of Defence during the Homeland War Gojko Šušak, Homeland War veterans accomplished their most important mission – the creation of a free and independent Republic of Croatia,” Minister Krstičević said, adding: “We have not grown tired of creating powerful, modern and capable Croatian Armed Forces.”

“When you pass through Croatian Armed Forces Square, may you be reminded of the creation of our country, the victories of the Homeland War and all heroes who died for Croatia. Today’s naming ceremony symbolically links the Croatia Armed Forces to their predecessor – the Croatian National Guard,” Minister Krstičević emphasized.

General Šundov remarked that he was extremely honoured to be the chief of general staff at an army that had demonstrated its strength and unity already in the Homeland War.

“Today, the Croatian Armed Forces are prepared to carry out all tasks they are entrusted with, be that an international operation and mission or the defence of Croatian sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the other hand, as we have witnessed many times, the Croatian Armed Forces will continue helping Croats whenever it is necessary, i.e. when civil institutions are incapable of providing relief on their own,” said the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces.

Meritorious members of the Croatian Armed Forces were presented with promotions, commendations and awards at the ceremony. The President of the Republic of Croatia promoted a total of 137 soldiers. The Chief of the General Staff promoted 272 NCOs and officers, while 61 members of the Croatian Armed Forces received commendations and meritorious awards from General Šundov. Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence Damir Krstičević promoted 52 soldiers.

On the occasion, the runners-up at the competition for the fittest member of the Croatian Armed Forces “Memorial Major Davor Jović – First for Croatia” received their awards. In the women’s category, Corporal Sandra Andrašek of the Croatian Army’s Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade and Corporal Željka Saratlija of the Military Police Regiment came in second and third, respectively.  In the men’s category, First Lieutenant Ivan Gerenčir of the Croatian Army’s Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade won the second place, followed by Corporal Marino Protrka of the Special Forces Command in the third place.

On the occasion of the return of Homeland War hero Rudolf Perešin’s MiG-21 aircraft to Croatia after a 28-year absence, an award was presented to the team involved in the project. The Chief of Staff of the Croatian Air Force Colonel Michael Križanec received the award on behalf of the team’s members from the Croatian Air Force and the Special Forces Command.

Text by INDEPENDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLISHING SERVICE

Photo by JOSIP KOPI

Translation by IVA GUGO