Skopje, 1 March 2024 (MIA) - The Special Forces Battalion, whose motto is "Always and everywhere first", celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Ilinden barracks in Skopje on Friday. March 1 is commemorated as the day when the first army special unit, nicknamed “The Wolves”, was first formed in 1994, making it the first professional unit.

The first commander of the battalion and former Lieutenant general Miroslav Stojanovski, who was presented with a plaque for his contribution in the formation of the battalion, called on its members to preserve and nurture army values-loyalty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and courage.

He added that the idea for the formation of this unit originated in October 1993, when at an informal meeting at a military summit, the leadership of the military security service, for the first time, seriously discussed a previous proposal on the need to establish a professional unit for special purposes.

"It wasn't always easy, without resistance and scepticism due to prior experiences in the service in a time of a different socio-political system in the Army, when mass peacetime conditions were ensured with mandatory military service. There was not much understanding of the concept of professionalization. The start of the formation of the Sixth Squad kick-started the Army’s professionalization process. We had a vision and big expectations, but at that moment we did not know the outcome, an uncharted project. But, after so many years have passed, it turned out that the expectations were real, and the result obvious- a unit that represents the pride of our Army and country," Stojanovski stressed.

Army Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski noted that the goals and expectations for the formation of this battalion are fully realized.

"The unit was formed during an extremely difficult, but also complicated period when wars were raging in the region, and some of our neighbors contested our independence and the uniqueness of the Macedonian people and language. We stand here today, 30 years later, as a formation of the Army and Macedonia's strength; symbolically the 30th NATO member," Gjurchinovski said.

Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska pointed out that in the past 30 years the Special Forces Battalion has transformed and adapted to modern challenges and that the first army unit, after NATO membership, successfully completed the process of assessing combat readiness and met the strict NATO standards. 

"'Always and everywhere first' is what best describes the members of the Special Forces Battalion. Always without asking 'why', everywhere without objecting 'why there'. First, prepared, trained, and committed to winning every battle. I would also add three decades of preservation, dedication, bravery, determination and selfless sacrifice in defense of the homeland," stressed Petrovska. ssh/sk/

Photo: MIA