The foundation stone laying ceremony for construction works of the future ROLE-1 medical facility was held at the Training Range “Eugen Kvaternik” near Slunj on 25 November 2020. 

The project is funded by the U.S. and the construction of the Role 1 facility and of an accommodation facility will be executed by the members of the Engineer Regiment of the Croatian Army and of the U. S. Navy Engineer Task Force. The project is funded by the United States.

The facilities are intended for the use by all units coming to the Training Range “Eugen Kvaternik” for training activities in future.

The term “Role” or “Echelon” is used to describe the stratification of the four tiers in which medical support is organised. Role 1 medical support is integral or allocated to a small unit, and will include the capabilities for providing first aid, immediate lifesaving measures, and triage. The construction of the Role 1 facility is a continuation of a long and productive bilateral co-operation between the armed forces of Croatia and the U.S.

“I am delighted that the future military medical facility will be constructed in the Training Area “Eugen Kvaternik”, where Croatian soldiers display their strength, readiness and professionalism of the Croatian Armed Forces day by day”, stated State Secretary Jakop in his address at the site of the future military facility.

State Secretary Jakop stressed that the United States was the vital  strategic partner of the Republic of Croatia in  defence and security, and that defence cooperation constituted a large portion of the overall co-operation between the U.S. and Croatia.

Years-long cooperation

The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, H. E. Robert Kohorst commended the joint building of the facilities by the US and the Croatian armed forces and the improvement of the conditions for future bilateral and multinational training events at the “Eugen Kvaternik” Range.

After the foundation stone laying ceremony the visitors toured the nearby construction site of the future accommodation facility for 200 members, where the works were already in progress, and the members of the U.S. Navy Engineer Task Force were working hard defying the cold.

The expected duration of the works on the construction of the Role 1 facility is about six months, and on the construction of the accommodation facility about 18 months respectively.

Deputy Chief of General Staff of the CAF, Lieutenant General Siniša Jurković stressed that the foundation stone laying ceremony was the result of years-long  cooperation with partners and friends

The Croatian Armed Forces and the U.S. Army have carried out jointly a number of exercises in Croatia over the past years, each of which resulted in strengthened capabilities and improved military training infrastructure. 

 Worthy donations

The joint activities yielded a number of humanitarian projects in the local communities, funded by the U.S. , aimed at improving the military and civilian infrastructure, among which the Range Control Tower, built by the U.S.  Air Force Command in Europe, and the ongoing works on the helicopter landing zones by the hospitals in Zagreb, Karlovac and Slavonski Brod.

The United States has donated 700mil USD for military training programmes and equipment over the past years (the training at the U. S. War College and the donation of Black Hawk helicopters).

”The projects as this one implemented in this Training Range proves our commitment to the common security and it is the foundation of our co-operation and partnership for the past 25 years”, stated Ambassador Kohorst. The Ambassador also said that his term of office was nearing the end and shared his honour over co-working with the Croatian Armed Forces, and over the numerous visits to “Eugen Kvaternik” Range. ”It has been a privilege to work with you through the partnership between Croatia and the United States”, concluded the U. S. Ambassador.

The U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Robert Kohorst stated: “We are looking forward to building these facilities together, as they will accommodate a larger number of future participants of the bilateral and multinational training events in this Training Range”.

The overall financial value of the construction of the Role 1 and of accommodation facility, covered by the United States as the bilateral partner from the “Exercise Related Construction“ (ERC) Fund  is 1.8 mil USD. The U.S. provides support through funding of the materials and the engagement of the U.S. engineering corps.  

The term Role defines the four tiers in which medical support is organised.

Role 1 medical support is integral or allocated to a small unit, and will include the capabilities for providing first aid, immediate lifesaving measures, and triage. It also contributes to the health and well-being of the unit through provision of guidance in the prevention of disease, non-battle injuries, and operational stress. Role 1 manages minor sick and injured personnel for immediate return to duty are a function of this level of care.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by the State Secretary for Defence Zdravko as Envoy of the Defence Minister, by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Siniša Jurković, by the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia H. E. Robert Kohorst, by the Mayor of Slunj Jure Katić, by the Commander of the Croatian Army Lieutenant General Boris Šerić, and by the Medical Advisor to the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Major General Boris Zdilar.

Izgradnja vojne ambulante Role 1 na Slunju