The members of the 9^th Croatian contingent in NATO’s mission Resolute Support returned from Afghanistan on 16^th March.

They were joined by returning soldiers belonging to the Armed Forces of Montenegro, the Albanian Armed Forces, the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At Barracks “Lieutenant Colonel Marko Živković” in Pleso, the members of the 9^th Croatian contingent were welcomed by the Director of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Vice admiral Robert Hranj, who acted as the envoy of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević; the Commander of the Croatian Army Major General Siniša Jurković; the Commander of the Operations Command of the General Staff Brigadier General Krešo Tuškan; the Commander of the Guards Mechanized Brigade of the Croatian Army Brigadier General Tihomir Kundid; the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command Colonel Željko Ljubas; the Head of the Sector for International Security and Defence Co-operation Colonel Tomislav Galić; the representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces; and the contingent members’ relatives.

Upon the arrival of the 9^th Croatian Contingent, its Commander Colonel Dražen Ressler reported to Vice admiral Robert Hranj, who thanked the members of the contingent for carrying out their tasks with success and representing their homeland with dignity. He also wished them the best of luck in their personal and professional lives. “Just like your predecessors, you raised the criteria of excellence to a new level,” Vice admiral Hranj said.

Colonel Ressler also thanked the members of the contingent for professionally executing their tasks and said that he was pleased that they had returned to their homeland safely.

On the occasion of their return, the members of the 9^th Croatian contingent received awards and commendations from Vice admiral Hranj.

Text by DORIS RAVLIĆ

Photo by JOSIP KOPI

Translation by IVA GUGO