New Colonels Promoted (June 6) For the first time in the history of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (AFSR) a symbolic ceremonial act of knighting was held to promote professional soldiers to the rank of Colonel. Using a replica of the historic Sword of Blatnica, the Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek promoted the following eight professional soldiers to the rank of Colonel: Col. Vladimír Lisý, Col. Miroslav Ofčarovič, Col. Ľubomír Gorelčík, Col. Miloš Mosný, Col. Karol Polakovič, Col. Ján Žarnovický, Col. Maroš Miškolci, Col. Jozef Ševčík.
Focus on the
Air Force (June 7) A government jet TU-154 was boarded by the Police following its landing at the Sliač military airbase. This rather unlikely action was a drill exposing contingency procedures to a number of Slovak Members of Parliament on board the aircraft. The simulated action performed by Ministry of Interior units was continuously monitored by a police Mi-171 helicopter. Members of the Parliamentary Security Committee and other MPs had been thus introduced to the NATINADS emergency system and the RENEGAT intervention, which includes 2 standby MiG-29 fighters that had accompanied the government TU-154 to the Sliač airbase. The intervention was overseen by the Minister of Defense Martin Glváč and the Minister of Interior Robert Kaliňák. „It was one of the first demonstrations that we have prepared for the MPs and we want to continue in this trend. There is a number of topics that will be discussed in the Parliament in the upcoming period and we hope to provide the MPs with a clearer understanding of what the Armed Forces do and especially of what they need,“ said the Minister of Defense. The Minister of Interior concurs that it is very important for the MPs to get a firsthand experience with the activities of policemen and soldiers. „Today they had an opportunity to watch a demonstration of perfect cooperation between the MoD and the MoI, which we strive to further develop in as large a scope as possible.“ Following the intervention at the airport, MPs were given a chance to test the MiG-29 and L-39 simulators. In the afternoon the MPs were transported to the Lešť training area by Mi-17 military helicopters and a Mi-171 helicopter belonging to the Ministry of Interior.
● Germany is looking forward to a renewal of cooperation with the Slovak Republic in the field of officer education, said the German Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, His Excellency Alex Hartmann at a meeting with Minister of Defense Martin Glváč in Bratislava. „We keep two positions reserved for Slovak officers at the Bundeswehr Command Academy in Hamburg. We would like to follow up on the good tradition and cooperation that existed until 2006,“ said H.E. Hartmann. ● Minister Martin Glváč and the Hungarian Ambassador to Slovakia , His Excellency Csaba Balogh see room for cooperation between the Armed Forces of both countries in the field of education and training. „We are keen on continuing our cooperation in training, and I would personally like to declare our interest in utilizing the Lešť training course,“ said H.E. Balogh. Minister Glváč informed his partner about signing a decree appointing State Secretary Miloš Koterec to co-chair the Slovak-Hungarian Commission for military and security cooperation. ● The MoD will provide business for the Military Repair Works (VOP) in Nováky until the end of 2012. The decision was made by the Minister of Defense M. Glváč based on findings submitted by a special commission appointed earlier this year. The management of VOP Nováky will initiate discussions with parties who had expressed interest in a strategic mid- and long-term cooperation with the MoD-owned company. „We are currently assessing three offers made by the interested partners. The scope of partner´s financial participation will depend primarily on the business plan, or rather on the structure and volume of production and/or services rendered in the future,“ said Minister Glváč. ● On June 7, Commander of the Multifunctional Battalion Lt. Col. Adrián Melega welcomed a delegation of military diplomats at the Training Course in Tepličky. In the course of the day the guests were introduced to the main tasks and specific roles performed by the Multifunctional Battalion. Head of the delegation, Lt. Col. Chris Burelli (U.S.) thanked the Batallion Commander and awarded him a commemorative plaque.
UN Hails Slovak Efforts (June 6) The U.N. recognizes the expertise and highly professional work of Slovak specialists operating within UN missions in Cyprus and the Golan Heights, said the UN Undersecretary for Peace Operations Hervé Ladsous at a meeting with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Miloš Koterec during his visit to the U.N. Headquarters in New York. Mr. Ladsous highlighted Slovak experiences with demining and confirmed that the U.N. sees Slovakia as a stable and reliable member. State Secretary Koterec confirmed the interest of the new Slovak government in deepening cooperation with the U.N. In the course of the meeting both officials touched upon the situation in Afghanistan and the prospects for solving the issue of Cyprus.
Slovak-Czech Collaboration (June 5) Ministers of Defense of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic will meet on June 14 in Prague to discuss possibilities for broadening the cooperation of both countries in the area of defense. Bilateral talks should result in signing of a Declaration on Mutual Cooperation, confirmed Minister of Defense Martin Glváč at a meeting with the Czech Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, H.E. Jakub Karfík. H.E. Karfík informed the Minister on the status of preparations for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the formation of Czechoslovak legions. Minister Glváč confirmed that the Slovak MoD is prepared to support the organization of the event.
● On June 7, a training focused on manufacturing drinking water using the UV– 2000 device took place in the Skalka nad Váhom municipality on the banks of the Váh river.
General Repass: With the Slovaks We Are One (June 6) The professional attitude of the Slovak Special Forces operating in Afghanistan was highly praised by the Commander of U.S. Special Forces Major General Michael Repass during a meeting with Lt. Gen. Peter Vojtek, the Chief of the General Staff, in Bratislava. „Our interaction within the scope of ISAF is much more than just a collaboration between two countries – we are a solid team,“ said the U.S. General. He highlighted the quality of the common training of U.S. and Slovak Special Forces troops in the Lešť military training area. The goal of the visit was to discuss the future partnership between the Slovak Armed Forces and the Special Operations Task Force 10, which provides the current operating th framework for 20 specialists from the 5 Special Forces Regiment
eBULLETIN MO SR
based in Žilina. This was followed by meetings with the Chief of Operations Staff Brig. Gen. Jindřich Joch, Chief of Strategic Planning Staff Brig. Gen. Ľubomír Svoboda and the Commander of the Special Forces Regiment in Žilina Col. Ľubomír Šebo. „We are ready to provide maximum support in assisting the Slovak Armed Forces in preparations for deploying a larger Special Operations component to Afghanistan,” said Maj. Gen. Repass.
June 4 – June 10, 2012