29.09.2014.

Day of the Special Brigade marked

The Day of the Special Brigade was marked today with a military ceremony at the Pancevo barracks “Rastko Nemanjic” which was attended by Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, higher military staff, officials of the Ministry of Interior, local self-government, Serbian Ortodox Church and citizens. The second part of the ceremony, held at the Military House in Pancevo, was also attended by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic.

- The Special Brigade is an elite part of the security system of the Republic of Serbia – Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic said, passing to the members of this unit regards of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. Gasic stressed that, yesterday, securing objects of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, with their pride and conduct, they have shown how much they stand out. He is assured that the Special Brigade will be even better equipped in the future.

Defence Minister reminded that members of the Special Brigade, as “first among the equals” in the military, helped their people during recent natural disasters.

- I believe that certain qualities and the help to our people that the Special Brigade possesses and provides surpass the story of natural disasters that is now a current subject – Gasic pointed out.

General Dikovic reminded of the people who gave their life in the past years as members of special units and stressed that respect and care for their families must be a daily task.

- Our traditions are our force. That is our support. It is our pride that we should build from in all our tasks and all we do as members of the Armed Forces of Serbia. The military is an institution that people trust. The Military is a force that is always there where needed, ready to provide help in all areas for its citizens and to truly be, as it is, every Serbian citizen’s military – Head of the General Staff said.

Special Brigade Commander Brigadier General Jelesije Radivojevic said that the Special Brigade has conducted all assigned tasks in the previous period.

- Today we mark the day when elite units of the Military were united into one collective. With the experience we have gained in the past years, the brigade has become a respectable and respected formation of the Armed Forces of Serbia which constantly improves its operational capabilities – General Radivojevic said. He reminded of numerous exercises, training, national and international activities and help provided for civilian local governments during the natural disasters where members of its unit showed extraordinary dedication and courage.

After the military part of the ceremony and the ceremonial defile, Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, accompanied by Army Commander Lieutenant General Aleksandar Zivkovic and other higher staff and guests laid wreaths at the Memorial Room of the Special Brigade in memory of the fallen members. Visitors then had the opportunity to see a rich arsenal of state-of-the-art arms and equipment used by this elite unit of our military.

Parachutists from the formation of the 63rd Parachuting Battalion performed a demonstrative jump with flags of the Republic of Serbia, Armed Forces of Serbia and Special Brigade.