Minister Gajdoš welcomes troops returning from Iraq and bids farewell to Afghanistan-bound personnel
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- Date: 16.11.2018
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Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš welcomed 25 soldiers returning from the NATO Training and Capacity Building Initiative in Iraq (NTCB-I) during a homecoming ceremony at the Repair Battalion in Martin today (16 November). That same day, he also bid farewell to 34 personnel deploying to Afghanistan in support of NATOʼs Resolute Support Mission (RSM).
In his statement on building security in the world, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Every deployment of our troops, be it to Afghanistan or Iraq or any other crisis region, adds to building and consolidating security not only in the country where they are deployed but also in Europe and in the world at large, for which we owe them our gratitude and respect.” Head of the MOD wished the Afghanistan-bound soldiers a lot of strength and missions accomplished. “Your most important task is to return home to your close ones once you have fulfilled your duties,” he added.
Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “Our professional soldiers are delivering on the political decisions with all due seriousness, proving that Slovakia is not only a recipient of security but also an active contributor to it.” He further pointed out that Slovak troops had had a marked presence in the regions even in the past and underlined the handover of security to local forces. “Today, also thanks to the work of our professional soldiers we can help the Iraqi and Afghan security forces take the security of their countries into their own hands,” he added.
On the mission of the SVK NTCB-I Contingent in Iraq, Capt Tomáš Milner, the incoming Contingent Commander, said: “The task of the SVK soldiers in Iraq was to provide training for members of security forces on manual and mechanical demining and Soviet-era equipment maintenance and repairs. I am very glad that we have come back home safe and sound after accomplishing our mission.”
On the mission of the SVK RSM Contingent in Afghanistan, Lt Col Nikola Vicena, the outgoing Contingent Commander, said: “The main task of the SVK soldiers in Afghanistan is to train, advise and support Afghan security components.”
As of today, 474 personnel (26 servicewomen) are currently deployed on international crisis missions and operations abroad. In the history of the SVK Armed Forces, 18,500 personnel (521 servicewomen) have rotated in and out of missions and operations abroad.
In his statement on building security in the world, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Every deployment of our troops, be it to Afghanistan or Iraq or any other crisis region, adds to building and consolidating security not only in the country where they are deployed but also in Europe and in the world at large, for which we owe them our gratitude and respect.” Head of the MOD wished the Afghanistan-bound soldiers a lot of strength and missions accomplished. “Your most important task is to return home to your close ones once you have fulfilled your duties,” he added.
Chief of Defence Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “Our professional soldiers are delivering on the political decisions with all due seriousness, proving that Slovakia is not only a recipient of security but also an active contributor to it.” He further pointed out that Slovak troops had had a marked presence in the regions even in the past and underlined the handover of security to local forces. “Today, also thanks to the work of our professional soldiers we can help the Iraqi and Afghan security forces take the security of their countries into their own hands,” he added.
On the mission of the SVK NTCB-I Contingent in Iraq, Capt Tomáš Milner, the incoming Contingent Commander, said: “The task of the SVK soldiers in Iraq was to provide training for members of security forces on manual and mechanical demining and Soviet-era equipment maintenance and repairs. I am very glad that we have come back home safe and sound after accomplishing our mission.”
On the mission of the SVK RSM Contingent in Afghanistan, Lt Col Nikola Vicena, the outgoing Contingent Commander, said: “The main task of the SVK soldiers in Afghanistan is to train, advise and support Afghan security components.”
As of today, 474 personnel (26 servicewomen) are currently deployed on international crisis missions and operations abroad. In the history of the SVK Armed Forces, 18,500 personnel (521 servicewomen) have rotated in and out of missions and operations abroad.
