SVK Armed Forces stand up Joint Operations Command in Banská Bystrica

On 1 April 2021, the Slovak Armed Forces stood up the Joint Operations Command Banská Bystrica (JOC BB), tasked with planning and conducting all domestic crisis management operations at the operational command level, while concurrently supporting international operations and commitments. JOC BB was visited today by Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The stand-up of the Joint Operations Command is a significant milestone for our Armed Forces, since it brings together all command elements, so to say, under one roof and makes the entire planning and control process a lot more effective. I trust the new component will be a valuable contribution to the entire Armed Forces, whether it be providing assistance during catastrophes and natural disasters, combating the coronavirus pandemic, or carrying out other taskings.”

Giving further details on JOC BB, Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko revealed that the new Command and Control (C2) capability will undertake key tasks across the entire spectrum of operations, including the conduct of military operations to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Slovak Republic. “This Command is a response to our expertise we have gained from international operations, from our allies, and from the conduct of operations at the operational and strategic levels,” he said, adding that JOC BB will reach its Full Operating Capability (FOC) on 24 September 2021.

The Slovak Armed Forces Joint Operations Command Banská Bystrica (JOC BB) was established based on the conclusions of complex staff rehearsals, group exercises, and CIMIC Op Shared Responsibility. These have demonstrated the need and importance of standing up a permanent Command and Control (C2) component charged with planning and conducting all operations at the operational level.