Slovak soldiers are leaving for Cyprus and to Afghanistan
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- Date: 10.03.2017
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Slovak Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš and Chief of the SVK Armed Forces General Staff Gen Milan Maxim participated in a pre-deployment ceremony at the Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade Nitra to bid their farewell to the soldiers who are departing for tours of duty with UNFICYP in Cyprus and with the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. In Cyprus, Slovak troops have been operating on the ground for the past almost 16 years now, with the SVK REP being the Lead Nation in Sector 4. A total of 82 Regular soldiers, of whom 6 are women, are departing to serve in the 33rd SLOVCON rotation. Two servicemen who are bound for Afghanistan will be on an Air Advisory Team (AAT). Their task will be to train Afghan National Army technical staff on the Mi-17/171 helicopter.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of the MOD said: “The Slovak Republic is a reliable partner who is delivering on its international commitments, and when it come security, it applies that we not only take but also give. In view of maintaining peace in the world, I am convinced that the UN Peace Support Operations are as important as the combat ones.” He went on to emphasise that Slovak soldiers have done a great deal of good work in Cyprus and Afghanistan. He also thanked their families and close ones for their support.
On the troop rotation, Gen Maxim underscored that the departing unit has been trained and logistically supported in a responsible manner. “We have been operationally committed to Cyprus since 2001. Over this period, we have accumulated enough lessons learned,” he said.
A total of 3,000 SVK Armed Forces personnel, of whom 120 were servicewomen, have rotated in and out of Cyprus. After the current rotation, 169 Slovak soldiers will serve with UNFICYP. The SVK REP has been involved in Resolute Support Mission since its inception in 2015.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of the MOD said: “The Slovak Republic is a reliable partner who is delivering on its international commitments, and when it come security, it applies that we not only take but also give. In view of maintaining peace in the world, I am convinced that the UN Peace Support Operations are as important as the combat ones.” He went on to emphasise that Slovak soldiers have done a great deal of good work in Cyprus and Afghanistan. He also thanked their families and close ones for their support.
On the troop rotation, Gen Maxim underscored that the departing unit has been trained and logistically supported in a responsible manner. “We have been operationally committed to Cyprus since 2001. Over this period, we have accumulated enough lessons learned,” he said.
A total of 3,000 SVK Armed Forces personnel, of whom 120 were servicewomen, have rotated in and out of Cyprus. After the current rotation, 169 Slovak soldiers will serve with UNFICYP. The SVK REP has been involved in Resolute Support Mission since its inception in 2015.
