26.11.2018.
Minister Vulin: “Century of Victors” shows we have an army tо be proud of
On the occasion of the successful completion of the joint live tactical exercise “Century of Victors 1918-2018”, a ceremonial presentation of recognitions from the competence of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces took place at the Ceremonial Hall of the Guard's Club at Topčider today.
Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Milan Mojsilović presented those awarded with recognitions, congratulating them.
Congratulating the awarded, Minister Vulin pointed out that the exercise “Century of Victors” was not just an exercise, no matter how large, complicated and complex it was.- It was not just a military demonstration of power, the “Century of Victors” exercise was something more. It was our way, 100 years later, to show the entire world that the Serbian state exists, that it is strong and that it is stronger than it was a century ago. A powerful army is always proof of a powerful state and there is no strong state without a strong army. The “Century of Victors” has shown that we have an army we can be proud of, not only because of its materiel, but because of the training level and the quality of people and their morality. That is what characterises us and distinguishes us from other richer and more powerful armies - Minister Vulin said.
According to him, there is no powerful and free state without a strong army, and the “Century of Victors” has shown that Serbia can rely on its army, each of its members, their sense of patriotism, their love for the military calling, but above all - love for Serbia.
- The “Century of Victors” has shown that the Armed Forces we have is able to provide resistance simultaneously at ten locations. You, soldiers, know that well, but the entire Serbia should also know that. The army is not created within a month and the “Century of Victors” was not prepared in a week or a month, but, like our army, this exercise was being prepared for years. After a long and too long period of conscious and planned neglect of our army, after a period in which the warring officers were sidelined, after a period in which the most beautiful and bravest traditions of our people were declared to be mistakes, heresies and insults, after the period in which they destroyed even what you have saved from the NATO aggression, after the period in which it was thought “why do we need the army and do we need it at all”, the time has come when the whole country is immensely proud of each of you - the minister of defence said.
He emphasized that he was proud of the fighting spirit, perseverance, courage, and training level of military personnel, adding that they will do their best to be better equipped and satisfied.- We are proud of the way you defended the country in the wars you did not even cause or ask for. The “Century of Victors” has shown that 100 years later, your country exists, stronger than it was, that the army is equipped and ready to defend it. The state of Serbia has never threatened anyone. We do not need others’ earth, air or water, we do not need anything that is not within our borders, which is not planned and written down for centuries behind us, we do not need anyone’s property. But thanks to you, your strength, we can proudly say that no one can hope that our property can become property of others - the minister of defence said, adding that the “Century of Victors” showed that our members are ready, safe and that we can be at ease and rely on our future.
The time that is ahead of us, he added, will show what challenges we are to expect, but whatever they are, the Serbian Armed Forces will be able to respond to them.
- This country loves its army and is proud of it. There are reasons for pride and this is a country that has always raised great soldiers, but it also knows to value them. There are few peoples that know the value of peace and freedom as the Serbian people does - Minister Vulin concluded.
For the results achieved at the exercise “Century of Victors 1918-2018”, the minister of defence rewarded 120 members with a seven-day stay in facilities of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces intended for rest and recreation. Twelve members were awarded with a seven-day rewarding leave and another 12 members were awarded with a book with inscription, and the same number was commended.
The Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces awarded 12 members from each of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces also with a seven-day rewarding leave, a book with inscription and commendments.In addition to the stimulating measures, the defence minister and chief of the General Staff extraordinarily promoted eight members of the Serbian Armed Forces to a higher rank.
Among those awarded at today's ceremony there were also private 1st class Zlatko Krljar from Kraljevo, a tank driver, who was engaged on the Peshter training area within the “Century of Victors” exercise, who got a seven-day stay at Tara.
- I am grateful to the minister and the chief of General Staff for the award and I am very pleased that I had the opportunity to take part in the exercise - private 1st class Krljar said.
The award was received by Second Lieutenant Vlada Radenković, a member of the Special Brigade, who, as a young officer, considers this as an exceptional honour and privilege.
- This award is also for all my colleagues who took part in the “Century of Victors” exercise in the part at Zvornik lake - Second Lieutenant Radenković said, adding that this would certainly be an incentive for new achievements.
A letter of appreciation for contributing to the public presentation of the joint live tactical exercise “Century of Victors 1918-2018” was also granted to the Radio-Television of Serbia, and it was presented by Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Milan Mojsilović to Saša Barbulović, editor at the Radio-Television of Serbia, at today's ceremony.
A combined, multistage and one-sided tactical live fire exercise “Century of Victors 1918-2018” was held on the occasion of marking the centenary since the end of World War I. The exercise involved about 8,000 members of the Army and Air Force and Air Defence, 645 combat systems and assets and 24 aircraft on the topic of “Preparation and use of reaction forces of the Serbian Armed Forces”, concurrently at 10 locations.
