Change of command at JOC: Brig Gen Martin Michalko succeeds Maj Gen Ondřej Novosad as Commander Joint Operations Command

In the presence of Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko and Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Kozák, a change of command ceremony for Commander Joint Operations Command (COM JOC) was hosted at the historic building of JOC in Banská Bystrica, with Maj Gen Ondřej Novosad relinquishing command of JOC to Brig Gen Martin Michalko.

In his keynote speech at the ceremony, CHOD Gen Daniel Zmeko thanked Maj Gen Novosad for his contribution to building the Slovak Armed Forces, while serving in a range of senior command positions. He specially praised his role in the successful start of Joint Operations Command (JOC) Banská Bystrica, a recently established element of the Slovak Armed Forces Command structure, which is tasked with planning and conducting all joint operations in defence of Slovakia and non-combat crisis management operations, either independently or in conjunction with allied forces.

In his farewell speech, Maj Gen Ondřej Novosad said: “Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, I have always valued it very much. It has helped me get through hard times that service to our country brings with itself.”

Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Kozák noted that the JOC building in Banská Bystrica is closely associated with the historical events of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in WW2. “This is a message that is binding upon us, especially in the time we live today when peace and quiet are not a matter of course and when our neighbour Ukraine is defending itself against air strikes. I wish the incoming commander the very best of luck in undertaking the tasks that lie ahead of him in his new role,” Mr Kozák said.

After 42 years of service in the Slovak Army, Maj Gen Ondřej Novosad is retiring from the Service. Throughout his career, he was assigned to numerous operational, command and staff positions. Most recently, he was there at the formation of Joint Operations Command (JOC) in Banská Bystrica and became its first COM JOC. Previously, Maj Gen Novosad served as Slovak Military Representative to NATO and the EU. Prior to commanding the SVK Army, he held a variety of senior command positions in the SVK Army, including as Commander 2 Mechanised Brigade. Operational service includes Kosovo and Iraq, where he served as Commander of the Slovak Engineer Unit in support of NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) and as Commander of the Slovak Contingent (SLOVCON) on Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).