Soldiers prepare a day full of experiences for children

Service personnel prepared a day full of experiences for children from Spišská Nová Ves and its surroundings as part of the 22nd Children’s Day with SVK Armed Forces event today (1 June 2019), staging static and dynamic displays of military equipment. The programme kicked off with a flypast of fighter jets. Paratroopers’ jumps, military working dog (MWD) handlers in action, and a whole range of other demonstrations reflecting the diversity of military capabilities and themed activities were not to be missed either. 

 
Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said: “Today, children had a unique opportunity to meet with members of the Slovak Armed Forces, learn about their capabilities, try walking in their shoes and get a taste of what it feels like to be one of them. And we tried to motivate them a bit to join the Armed Forces or Voluntary Military Training in the future.”
 
The programme featured displays of assets in service with the SVK Army, the SVK Air Force, the SVK Military Police, including new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. It also included demonstrations of close quarters combat (CQC) skills, culprits being detained by military policemen, a performance by members of the SVK Armed Forces Guard of Honour, and the work of military medical professionals.
 
Finally, the results of the MOD Drawing and Painting Contest, entitled ʻSoldiers through the Eyes of Children’, for pupils and students were announced to the public during the event. “The way how children perceive our armed forces is helpful to us, because thanks to their drawings and paintings we can see what service personnel mean to them,” said Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš.