The photograph on the cover page and pages 5 and 6:

A panoramic view of the Kabul from the hill at the periphery of the city called “Antena Hill“ where the ARM members participating in the ISAF mission carried out patrols with the APCs “Hermelin“. The photograph was taken during a visit of a military delegation at Easter 2007. CONTENTS:

Address by the Minister of Defence...... 7 Address by the Chief of ARM General Staff...... 11 Preface to the Publication...... 15 1. ISAF – International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan – The Beginning of the Story …...... … 19 2. The Macedonian Contingent in Isaf – From Symbolic Participation to Equal Partner...... 23 3. Type, Size and Composition of Units from the Macedonian Contingent in the ISAF Mission……………………………………………...... ….. 27 4. The Mission and Tasks of the Macedonian Contingent in Company Strength...... 31 5. Task Force PHOENIX...... 43 6. Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams - OMLT within ISAF………...... 45 7. ARM Medical Teams in the ISAF...... 51 8. Staff Officers in the ISAF...... 55 9. Senior National Representative in the ISAF...... 61 10. Most Common Threats...... 65 11. Received Decorations...... 67 12. Dignified Presentation in the Non-Combat Segment of the Mission Life and Work ...... 69 13. Financial Implications...... 73 14. What Have Others Said About Our Participation in the ISAF.... 74 15. CEREMONY on the occasion of the completion of the ISAF mission and the participation of the ARM in this mission ...... 77 16. About the ARM in the ISAF...... 78

5 Zoran Jolevski Defence Minister of the Republic of Macedonia our capacities and capabilities, to the Alliance's efforts for establishing peace and security and the respect for the essen - tial human rights and freedoms, initially as part of Iraqi Freedom, followed by the ISAF Mission in Afghanistan. The mission of the NATO Alliance in Afghanistan ISAF, officially completed on the last day of 2014, will always have a special place in our memories. This is our heritage, and our contribution to world peace and stability. The participation in the ISAF mission for us was a source of enormous pride and a responsiblity. The political commitment to supporting the Alliance's efforts in this Asian country is clearly visible through the actual presence of peacekeeping forces from the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in this part of the world. Not only that, the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, Ladies and Gentlemen, aware of the benefits of living in a For over two decades, the Republic of peaceful and prosperous environment, Macedonia has been living its dream - our knew that their mission was a noble mission citizens live in a free, sovereign and inde - – democratization of the country, respect pendent state which fully incorporates for every human being, respect for all gen - the European, i.e. the contemporary values, der, religious and human diversities. Over such as democracy, human rights and 2,700 Macedonian peacekeepers knew that freedoms as well as equality on all grounds. that was the only way to create a climate Our country was the only country that man - for social development, better health serv - aged to gain independence and sovereignty ice, better education for the young Afghans, in a peaceful manner in the process of because that was the future and the way dissolution of Yugoslavia. ahead. Consequently, the Republic of Macedonia The purpose and mission of the members in its very recent history has grown from a of the Army derives from the overall politi - consumer to a provider of these contempo - cal commitment of the Republic of Macedo - rary values. The process of integration into nia, its President, Government, Assembly the European Union and the NATO Alliance and, most importantly, the citizens of has enabled us to contribute, by utilizing Macedonia. It is exceptionally positive to

7 mention that the decisions of the Govern - gents in ISAF, funds from the citizens of the ment of the Republic of Macedonia, in the Republic of Macedonia to the citizens of 12 years of continuous presence as part of Afghanistan, which sufficiently demon - the ISAF, were always made with the full strates the sincere and serious approach of and absolute support of the Assembly of our citizens to the efforts of the Alliance the Republic of Macedonia. This happens and ISAF. only in the case of the decisions on the par - One of the major missions of the Alliance ticipation of the members of the Army in in - in its recent history ended with the end of ternational peacekeeping missions. The 2014. This mission left behind a new infra - political consensus on this issue clearly indi - structure, new hospitals, new schools. It left cates that the consciousness and con - room for the Afghans to take care of their science of the political actors in the country and their future on their own. This Republic of Macedonia is highly developed is a priceless legacy. However, it is a legacy and firmly committed to spreading a cli - that does not come without a heavy price. mate of equality and prosperity. After all, Many members of the coalition forces have the Republic of Macedonia with its history laid their lives on the path towards a united is the true link in the chain called the inter - and free Afghanistan. Many were injured, national community, which can realistically trying to reach the ultimate goal. Their sac - and clearly assess to what extent these val - rifice will not be forgotten. ues are important for the human well- As Minister of Defence of the Republic of being. Macedonia, I would like to thank all the The third pillar of support are the citizens members of the Army of Republic of Mace - of the Republic of Macedonia. The high sup - donia for their immeasurable devotion, sac - port for Macedonia’s accession to the Al - rifice, courage and dedication in carrying liance “de facto” indicates that the citizens out all the tasks that they have been en - of our country fully share the values and vi - trusted with. This claim is not only ours. The sion of the countries – NATO members, in - international community, the leadership of cluding the vision behind a democratic, NATO and the ISAF HQ have always empha - peaceful and secure Afghanistan for its citi - sized the professional approach and the se - zens. Citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, riousness of the Macedonian peacekeepers. are firmly convinced in the need for provid - I would like to express my gratitude to the ing assistance and support to the efforts families of ARM peacekeepers for their per - for stabilization and reconstruction of severance and support to their loved ones. Afghanistan. They have confirmed this by Sending the backbone of a family away supporting the policies, i.e. the political from their home is not easy. But, they know commitment of the executive and legisla - that the goal is a noble goal, a humane goal. tive branches for participation in interna - But we do not stop here. The Ministry of tional peacekeeping missions. The Republic Defence and the overall executive and leg - of Macedonia has invested over 55 million islative power continue to support Euros in support of the Macedonian contin - Afghanistan, but as part of the new mission

8 of the Alliance, i.e. Mission Resolute Sup - fence has decided to issue this publication. port. The global security, stability and peace The publication is a testament of our 12 in general, remain our priorities. The contin - years of participation in and experience gent from the Republic of Macedonia, al - from the ISAF Mission in Afghanistan. This though reduced in absolute numbers, publication is only a small appreciation to - remains one of the highest contributions wards the members of the Army of the Re - “per capita” in Afghanistan. In correlation public of Macedonia for everything that with the new mission, 39 Macedonian they have done in the process of establish - peacekeepers are allocated for executing ing peace and democracy in Afghanistan. tasks related to providing Force Protection Finally, the publication will be a reminder in RS HQ in Kabul, and counseling in TAAC for the future generations, for Macedonia, North, and TAAC Capitol. for the Macedonian values and the Mace - Everything that has been said so far is, in donian cult of freedom and equality. fact, the reason why the Ministry of De -

Minister of Defence Zoran Jolevski meeting the members of the ARM contingent to be deployed in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan 2014

9 Methodija Velickovski Lieutenant General

Chief of the ARM General Staff contribution to the global security architec - ture, are the best indicators of the commit - ment of the Republic of Macedonia towards attaining full-fledged membership in NATO and the EU. The Army of the Republic of Macedonian (ARM), together with the Ministry of De - fence, throughout its long years of mem - bership in the Partnership for Peace, have invested enormous efforts to build the ARM and transform it into an equal partner of the Alliance, and army that possesses a high degree of training and interoperability in all areas along with the armies of NATO member countries. Moving rapidly on the path towards the big family of the Alliance, in the past decade, the ARM assumed an extremely consistent approache with re - Ladies and Gentlemen, spect to the implementation of its deepest From its independence to date, the and most comprehensive reforms, which Republic of Macedonia has continuously enabled the army to reach the required been pursuing a policy based on its commit - standards of NATO in a very short period. ment to building a modern society with de - Guided by a commitment for active in - veloped democracy, whose path is clearly volvement in the fight against terrorism, as traced to the Euro-Atlantic integrations. In well as by the recommendations of the Al - addition to our membership in the interna - liance derived from the successfully imple - tional organizations, an unbreakable imper - mented reforms in the defence, the ative of the integrative processes of our Republic of Macedonia decided to give its country is our participation in the collective specific contribution to tackling the global security and defence systems. The Republic security challenges, through active partici - of Macedonia expressed the commitment pation in international missions. By sup - with its unambiguous aspiration to attain porting the objectives and commitments of membership in the NATO Alliance, substan - the Republic of Macedonia and the other tiating this in practice, by implementing countries participating in the ISAF peace - comprehensive and thorough reforms of its keeping mission and providing contribution overall defence system. The firm and un - to global peace and security, the ARM with equivocal commitment of all relevant politi - its capacities and capabilities, started with cal subjects to actively participate in the the implementation and participation in the collective defence and security systems, international peacekeeping operation in and the efforts for providing a concrete Afghanistan ISAF.

11 Thus, the 8 September 2002, is a memo - Phoenix, where together with the US Ver - rable date for us, i.e. the day the Republic of mont National Guard, the ARM members Macedonia sent two staff officers in the performed high risk tasks, for a period of biggest NATO mission. From that day and nine months. On this occasion, it should until the end of the mission, the Macedon - also be emphasized that the ARM staff offi - ian flag would be waved for twelve years in cers contributed to the work in the ISAF Kabul. What we started that September of Command, as well as the Operation Mentor - 2002, with two staff officers as part of the ing and Liaison Teams of the Afghan Secu - Turkish contingent in Kabul, ended in 2014 rity Forces. with one company of 150 ARM members We are especially proud that in the 12 and five (5) staff officers assigned on duties years that we had been part of the largest in RC North. coalition (around 50 countries members of The given trust to the ARM member for the NATO Alliance, the International Organ - providing force protection to the ISAF HQ izations and partner countries) in the fight in Kabul together with the members of the against terrorism, which included over 2700 armed forces of the United Kingdom, fol - members of the Army, thousands of kilome - lowed by their independed assignment to ters away from their homeland, in ex - this task, was a confirmation of the high tremely complex conditions, gave the level of expertise, professionalism, and the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia application of NATO’s standard operating in building peace, democracy and security in procedures, which were demonstrated by Afghanistan. What will remain forever en - the ARM members in the performance of graved in the memory of our partners is the their tasks, as part of the Turkish and Ger - fact that the Macedonian soldier, gained man contingents. The ISAF mission in worldwide affirmation as: bold, persistent, Afghanistan was an excellent opportunity trained and highly motivated to carry out for the realization of regional cooperation the most complex combat tasks. The les - projects, such as the Combined Medical sons learned from our participation in ISAF, Team deployed as part of the Adriatic Char - which largely found a wide application in ter within the Greek and Czech field hospi - the training of the members of the ARM, as tal from 2005 to 2009. Consequently, as a well as the vast experience, are invaluable. result of the achieved standards in provid - We have gained the legitimacy, recognition ing medical assistance, the ARM, together and confirmation of a safe, reliable, trained with the armed forces of the Kingdom of and most of all an equal partner to NATO Norway, deployed one surgical medical and the other partners, by demonstrating team. our high professionalism and commitment Our maturity for performing extremely to the mission. difficult and complex tasks was demon - The publication dedicated to partici- strated with our participation in Task Force pation of the ARM in the ISAF mission in

12 Afghanistan, represents a memorial for the recent history. The contents of each new current and future generations of the ARM. page will bring the reader closer to the ARM Through text and photography, this publi - members, which are both the guardians of cation reflects moments that perpetuated the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the courage, responsibility and profession - the Republic of Macedonia and ambassa - alism of the ARM members. In this way, we dors of peace. give utmost importance to a period of our

Farewell ceremony for the Macedonian contingent that was part of the ISAF mission, January 2013

13

PREFACE

“We are known as a small country in the Balkans, but we are big in the grand coalition, the global coalition of peace where there is no division into small and large countries, and where there are only great and brave peacekeepers.”

Always providing assistance

On September 11, 2001, the whole world olutions in accordance with Chapter 7 of the was shocked by the terrorist attack on the Charter for dealing with international ter - World Trade Center in the United States rorism. United Nations Security Council that killed 3,000 people. Followed by the Is - Resolution 1386, from 20 December 2001, lamist attacks in Bali, Djerba and enabled the establishment of the Interna - Casablanca. Europe was not spared. Hun - tional Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and dreds died in the attacks in London and its deployment to Kabul and the surround - Madrid. The perpetrators of these bloody ing areas. In January 2002, ISAF and the crimes came from the training camps in Afghan Transitional Authority signed a Mili - Afghanistan. tary Technical Agreement that provided de - The international community was united tailed terms of reference for ISAF. against the terrorist threat, the United Na - tions Security Council adopted binding res - In August 2003, upon request of the UN

15 The youngest Afghans were especially fond of the “Macedonian sun”

In August 2003, upon request of the UN From then on, with the political consensus and the Government of the Islamic Republic of all political subjects in the country, as of Afghanistan, NATO took command of well as the support of the entire Macedon - ISAF. Soon after, the UN mandated ISAF to ian public with regard to the contribution to gradually expand outside of Kabul. the coalition for combating terrorism, the Despite being in a post-conflict period it - Republic of Macedonia actively participated self, the Republic of Macedonia actively by sending its units in the ISAF Mission. In monitored the situation with the develop - 2003, the Republic of Macedonia took part ment of the anti-terrorist coalition and the in the mission with one section, and from formation of the international forces for 2004 to 2006, we have increased our con - dealing with the enormous challenges in tribution with a composition in the size of a Afghanistan. Starting from its strategic de - platoon. The ARM made its first major en - termination for membership in NATO and gagement and contribution in 2006 by de - the EU and sharing the values of these or - ploying 90 ARM members in one rotation ganizations, the Assembly of the Republic within the UK contingent in the ISAF. The of Macedonia adopted the first decision for confidence entrusted by the United King - participation in the ISAF mission with two dom was fully justified and hence, in 2007 staff officers starting August 2002, which one infantry company was deployed, fol - was a confirmation of its political will and lowed by a constant increase of its capaci - capability for contribution to the interna - ties in ISAF, both in quality and quantity. tional security.

16 Since 2002, as part of the Turkish contin - itary Police School for training of the gent in the coalition of around 50 countries, Afghan National Army, Darulama, Regional both NATO allies and partners, to date, the Command – Capitol, from September 2011 ARM has participated with over 2,700 to March 2013. The Republic of Macedonia Macedonian peacekeepers in the ISAF Mis - did not decreased its contribution to ISAF sion, a national contribution which at cer - even when the others were retreating and tain times was one of the biggest (per reducing their participation due to certain capita) among the participants in the coali - national savings. We stayed true to the tion in Afghanistan, a contribution which principle of “in together, out together” and significantly contributed to preserving we stayed until the end of the mission, peace and building a more developed which was finalized at the end of 2014. democracy and establishing greater secu - The Republic of Macedonia with its ef - rity. On the other hand, the Macedonian forts in Afghanistan contributed to ensur - soldiers and the Army as a whole gained, le - ing the international security and stability gitimacy and confirmation as a secure, reli - and implementing the decisions and re - able and qualified partner of NATO and quirements of the United Nations. We have other contributing partners. proved once again that no country is so As part of its contribution by participating small that it cannot contribute and help in in the ISAF Mission, the Republic of Mace - dealing with the biggest threats to the se - donia became a part of the A3 Combined curity and peace in the world. Medical Team (Macedonia, Albania, Croatia) Aside from the contribution, Afghanistan which, from August 2005 to July 2009, suc - is an important symbol for Macedonia, es - cessfully worked through 8 rotations at the pecially for the transition of the Republic of hospital located in KAIA (Kabul Interna - Macedonia beyond 2001, when from a secu - tional Airport), the combined medical surgi - rity consumer we become a security cal team as part of the Norwegian provider. Our participation in ISAF, places Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the Republic of Macedonia in the ranks of Meymaneh and the SEEBRIG HQin ISAF those countries who have pledged to share with 10 staff officers in one rotation in the burden of ensuring global security. To - 2006. gether with the armies of our allies, our From 1 Apri 2010, the Republic of Mace - troops were deployed in Afghanistan for 12 donia further increased its contribution in years, far away from the borders of their Afghanistan with one Military Police pla - own country. toon for training the Afghan National Po - As a direct participant in the international lice, one Ranger platoon for training the operations, the ARM gained vast experi - Afghan National Army, one Force Protec - ence and demonstrated that there are tion Unit and Staff Officers in the US Ver - highly trained personnel and highly profes - mont 86th Brigade Command, deployed at sional capabilities and capacities. Bagram base, Afghanistan. In addition, we This participation enabled us to practi - were part of the joint A-5 efforts, in the Mil - cally examine the expertise of the units and

17 provide extended continuous training in a and officers able to demonstrate a high de - realistic military environment. It also im - gree of professionalism and at the same plied a continuous assessment of the level time contribute to the overall positive pic - of preparedness and ability of each individ - ture of ISAF. The Republic of Macedonia ual and his willingness to engage in high- and its citizens have always been proud of risk operations, which enabled us to receive the members of the Army, who, in this pe - the experience and quality assessment of riod, were both the guardians of the territo - the planning and implementation of the rial integrity and sovereignty of the training. country, and the ambassadors of peace. Our participation in the OMLT teams of The professionalism of our army is also the Afghan National Army commands en - proven by the fact that a considerable num - abled us to transfer the experience of our ber of Macedonian soldiers and officers officers as part of the international training have received awards and honors from sev - forces. eral coalition partners, to mention those of The joint contribution to ISAF to date has the major military forces. All participants in proven to be the right way for promoting NATO – led missions have received Non-Ar - regional cooperation, intensifying the ticle 5 Medals, while over 1,o00 members friendship between the countries in the re - have received other international awards, gion and benefiting all participants. The decorations and medals for their achieve - joint participation in ISAF has made a sig - ments in the mission which contribute to nificant contribution to the joint training making the Army of the Republic of Mace - and mutual complementing prior to deploy - donia proud and giving greater credibility ment in Afghanistan. and desirability as a partner in the interna - The benefits that the ARM has received tional missions. The majority of the awards from its participation in the ISAF Mission, have been received from NATO and the US primarily from the lessons learned are yet Army for the demonstrated high degree of to be felt. For a country with a modest eco - professionalism, expertise and capability in nomic development as Macedonia, it is a Afghanistan. great honour to have highly trained soldiers

Macedonian peacekeepers, “shoulder to shoulder” with the Afghan Security Forces

18 1. ISAF - INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE AFGHANISTAN THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY

The need for launching an interna - Security Assistance Force (ISAF) tional mission in Afghanistan was ex - Afghanistan. The agreement gave a pressed by the transitional detailed description of the ISAF government of Afghanistan during tasks. Initially, the UN-led peace- the Bonn Conference of December keeping ISAF were deployed around 2001. On 20 December the same Kabul and the surrounding areas and year, the United Nations Security enabled the establishment of transi - Council adopted Resolution 1386 tional authorities in Afghanistan. On which officially created the Interna - 11 August 2003, at the request of the tional Security Assistance Force UN (SC Resolution 1510) and with the (ISAF) Afghanistan. approval given by the Government of Initially, the defined primary goals of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the mission were the following: NATO took command of ISAF, start - - Help maintain basic security, ini - ing the phase of gradual expansion of tially in the region of Kabul and its the ISAF mission beyond Kabul, first surroundings; to the north, then to the west, south - Give assistance to the Afghan and east. By October 2006, through Transitional Authorities in building four stages, ISAF spread throughout the national security structures (in - the territory of the Islamic Republic stitutions); of Afghanistan and established the - Assist in the reconstruction of the regional commands North, South, nation; East and West and Capitol. The pur - - Help in educating and training the pose of these regional commands new Afghan National Security Forces was assisting the Afghan authorities (Afghan National Police and Afghan to expand their influence and control National Army). over the territory, fight against the The initial goals were defined in Taliban and Al Qaeda and create con - January 2002, by signing the Military ditions for the establishment of Technical Agreement between the Provincial Reconstruction Teams transitional authorities in (PRTs). Afghanistan and the International 19 The symbol of the fight against terrorism states that together we can succeed always and everywhere

The later redefined objectives and - Safety in terms of performing se - responsibilities of ISAF for the period curity and stability operations, pro - from 2006 to 2011 included: assis - viding support to the Afghan tance to the Afghan government in National Security Forces, disarming establishing security and stability of the illegal armed groups, facilitat - throughout the territory, support in ing the ammunition reserve manage - reconstruction and development, ment and giving post-operative support in establishing governance support; structures and promoting an envi - - Reconstruction and development ronment where governance can be in terms of providing security for en - enhanced, as well as assistance in the abling reconstruction and humanitar - fight against drug trafficking. ian assistance; The specific responsibilities were fo - cused on:

20 - Governance and management in the rebels. the direction of continuing the ef - As part of the support to the forts of the Provincial Reconstruction Afghan Government, ISAF has helped Teams (PRTs) in building facilities for reduce the activities of the enemy the development of governmental and the capability of the insurgents structures and promoting an envi - and enabled the Afghan National Se - ronment where governance can be curity Forces to build their capacities enhanced; so as to carry out security operations - Fight against drugs by sharing in - across the country. formation, conducting effective cam - The results from the assistance of paigns to inform the public, training the Afghan Government were recog - the Afghan National Security Forces nized in July 2011, when NATO for - to combat narcotics trafficking, de - mally announced that the Afghan stroying the drug production facili - Security Forces are fully prepared to ties and fighting drug dealers and take control of the entire territory of their established relationship with Afghanistan.

The members of the Macedonian contingent in the ISAF were not affected by the extreme conditions. The ARM members conducted their tasks as part of ISAF, timely and effi - ciently, in all weather conditions.

21 Thus began the preparation of the the new mission, Resolute Support, transition period which meant start - responsible for continuing the train - ing a new mission for stabilization ing, advising and assistance to the and reconstruction. In the period Afghan Security Forces and institu - from 2011 to December 2014, the pri - tions. ority of the ISAF forces was increas - The mission of the International ing the capacity and capability of the Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghan National Security Forces, and Afghanistan was one of the biggest gradually transferring the security coalitions in the history of NATO and responsibility from ISAF to the one of the most challenging and Afghan forces. During this period, most comprehensive missions to ISAF’s combat role was transformed date. Several hundred thousand sol - into training, advising and assistance diers and other personnel from 51 centric to the Afghan forces. The NATO member states and NATO multinational forces also assisted in partner countries, along with numer - creating the conditions and laying ous special representatives of inter - the foundations for improving the national organizations and management and socio-economic de - institutions and representatives of velopment so as to achieve sustain - various NGOs participated in this able stability. mission. This transitional period ended in December 2014 and was followed by

22 THE MACEDONIAN CONTINGENT IN ISAF – FROM SYMBOLIC PARTICIPATION TO EQUAL PARTNER

One of the partner countries of the from 2002 until December 2014, the Alliance, and an equal contributor to Republic of Macedonia has con - the ISAF mission, was Macedonia. stantly been present “shoulder to Guided by its strategic interest and shoulder” with the Allies in ISAF. The goal to attain its full-fledged mem - continuous contribution to interna - bership in the Euro-Atlantic struc - tional operations made the Republic tures, the Government of the of Macedonia a reliable partner in the Republic of Macedonia achieved a promotion of the shared and com - broad political consensus and re - mon values of democracy and in the ceived great public support from the fight against terrorism. citizens of the Republic of Macedonia As part of ISAF, the Republic of to engage in the hitherto unheard Macedonia contributed with a wide Coalition for Combating Terrorism. range of capabilities and capacities The contribution to the International by providing Force Protection to the Security Assistance Force in ISAF HQ located in RC Capital, med - Afghanistan is an an important sym - ical assistance, and staff officers in bol of the transition of the Republic the SEEBRIG HQ, and in the OMLTs. of Macedonia, from a security con - With each passing year, the ARM in - sumer to a security provider through creased and enhanced its participa - its participation in international oper - tion in many differed structures in ations. In the past 12 years, starting the international coalition.

23 Therefore, from 1 April 2010, the Re - The lessons learned and the experi - public of Macedonia further in - ence gained from our participation in creased its contribution in this international operation con - Afghanistan with capacities for train - tributed to our further investment in ing the Afghan National Police, the training of personnel, and the de - Afghan National Army, Force Protec - velopment of capabilities and capaci - tion capacities as part of the joint ties of the army. contribution with Vermont National Guard, as well as staff officers in the ISAF HQ and the Military Police School in Kabul, as part of our regional cooperation and the joint contribution of A-5. They were a valuable resource in the the AM units attained the requested transformation of the Army of Re - strict standards for training and op - public of Macedonia, which con - erational procedures in accordance tributed to creating a small, modern, with the OCC, being thus able to fulfill highly trained and interoperable the necessary criteria for member - force according to the standards of ship and prepare to assume the re - the NATO member countries. Based sponsibilities and obligations that on the assessment of the Alliance, derive from the full-fledged member - ship in the Alliance.

For over six years, the Macedonian flag guaranteed the security of the ISAF HQ in Kabul

3. TYPE, SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF UNITS FROM THE MACEDONIAN CONTINGENT IN THE ISAF MISSION

The units from the Army for Regional Command North. of the Republic of Macedonia Each rotation of the Macedonian actively participated in ensuring contingent (MACON) within the ISAF the peace in Afghanistan as part actively participated in peacekeeping of the Multinational Forces engaged and peacebuilding, as well as mentor - in peacekeeping and peacebuilding ing and advising the Afghan National in the assigned areas of responsibility Army (ANA) in the assigned area of in the Islamic Republic of responsibility in Afghanistan. Afghanistan, according to the In the course of its 12 years of Memoranda of Understanding experience in the ISAF mission in between the Ministry of Defence Afghanistan, the ARM participated of the Republic of Macedonia and with units in various compositions, the Ministry of Defence of the such as Force Protection (FP), United Kingdom, the Technical Operational Liaison And Mentoring Agreement with the Ministry of Teams (OMLTs), medical teams, Defence of Germany, the Bilateral training of the Afghan Security Cooperation Agreement with the Forces and staff officers in the Kingdom of Norway and the mission headquarters, i.e.: Memorandum of Understanding

27 - Two rotations with two staff offi - - Three rotations of OMLT-2 with cers 2002/2003; three officers from 2009 to January - Three rotations of contingents up 2011; to the size of an infantry section - Four rotations of OMLT-3 with five 2003/2004; officers from January 2011 to July - Five rotations of contingents up 2014. to the size of one infantry platoon In ISAF, the Army of the Republic of 2005/2007; Macedonia also participated with - Seventeen rotations of contin - medical teams. gents in strength of one Mechanized From August 2005, as part of the Infantry Company (MechInfCoy) from Greek field hospital, and later on, 2006 to December 2014; from March 2007 to July 2009, as - One additional contingent as part part of the Czech field hospital, the of Task Force Phoenix, in strength of ARM participated with one medical two platoons in 2010; team as part of the A3 combined - Four rotations of the OMLT-1 with medical team from the US-Adriatic two officers from 2008 to January Charter. 2011;

ARM medical team in Maymana 28 The ARM staff officers deployed within the ISAF mission

Based on the Bilateral Cooperation However, we should not forget the Agreement with the Kingdom of Nor - early beginnings. Our participation in way (KN), the Republic of Macedonia the ISAF began by sending staff offi - committed itself to provide one sur - cers as part of the Turkish contin - gical team for the Norwegian field gent. We participated twice, in two hospital which was located in the rotations, three months each, with town of Maymana - Farjab province in two officers, starting from August northwest Afghanistan. Under the 2002 to February 2003. agreement, in the period of 3 years, The first contingent of 10 ARM the Republic of Macedonia sent 6 ro - members arrived in Afghanistan in tations for a 6-month period. The February 2003, and was deployed mission for providing Role 2 medical and located at Camp Warehouse. treatment began on 1.12.2008 and The unit was engaged in several ended in May 2012. major tasks, such as providing

29 force protection at the main gate of direction of the movement and or - the camp, control at the entry and ganizing check points, while respect - exit of civilian and military vehicles, ing the standard operating conducting various patrols with the procedures. German contingent and closing the

ARM contingent in Camp Warehouse

30 THE MISSION AND TASKS OF THE MACEDONIAN CONTINGENT IN COMPANY STRENGTH

The main mission of the mecha - responsible manner, which were not nized infantry company in the ISAF opposed to the national laws, the was physical security, that is, force rules of engagement and the national protection of the HQ ISAF in Kabul by caveats, as well as the commitments securing the entrance gates, the ensuing from the Geneva conven - camp perimeter and patrolling the tions. area of responsibility around the The entire personnel of the base. Macedonian contingent, under all The force protection company at conditions and at all times, were HQ ISAF took an active part in the under the exclusive jurisdiction of operations of the Coalition forces their national legislation, that is, aimed at improving the security situ - the Macedonian legal regulations, ation in Kabul. for any criminal or disciplinary The contingent members followed offence committed on the territory the orders and instructions issued by of Afghanistan (Chapter 9 of the their superior officers in HQ ISAF Memorandum of Understanding). (Operational Command) in ther most

31 The ARM company in one of the rotations in front of the ISAF Main HQ in Kabul

The tasks of the company: Upon its deployment, the unit con - а). The first rotation of the Mace - ducted several tasks, inter alia: donian contingent composed of 90 • Establishment and protection of personnel, in line with the MoU be - the FOB (Forward Operation Base) tween the MoD of the Republic of “Hawkeye“ in Surobi District, 70km Macedonia and the MoD of the UK, away from Kabul; was directly subordinated to BG (E) – • Patrolling in Surobi District and Battle Group East commanded by a protection of the hydroelectric plants British officer. This battle group in - Naghlu and Siemens that provide cluded a UK FP Coy that conducted about 80% of the electricity for the the same tasks as the Macedonian city of Kabul; contingent. BG E was under the • Organizing donations through the command of the RC-C (RC Capital). Civil – Military Cooperation in Jagda - The unit was located at HQ ISAF and leg valley in Surobi District; its task was to provide full force pro - • Conducting joint patrols with tection of HQ ISAF and patrol in the troops from the German company in so-called “Green Area”, which was the police areas within the area of re - within its area of responsibility. sponsibility and Khak-e-Jabar;

32 • Providing force protection of the • Providing force protection at the EOD teams in the process of UXO de - entry and exit gates of the base; struction; • Providing force protection of the • Providing full force protection at external perimeter and the surround - ISAF HQ (both external and internal); ings of the base from set up observa - • Conducting patrols, by foot and on tion observation guard towers, also motor vehicles in the police area known as sangars; within the area of responsibility; • Patrolling in the area of responsi - • Continuous readiness of the QRF bility (perimeter – patrols), around (Quick Reaction Forces) for interven - the base and to the ECPs in front of tion in the police areas within the the US Embassy and Eggers camp; area of responsibility. • Provision of QRF readiness, prima - b). In the subsequent rotations, rily planned for a base response, but the company mission, as of July also outside the base during patrols 2007 (in strength of 126, up to 152 or by a separate order; ARM members ), carried our a • ECPs for pedestrians and motor bropad spectrum of responsible vehicles at the gate main entry point; tasks for internal, perimeter and external FP of the ISAF HQ, such as:

Thorough preparation before executing an assignment

33 • ISAF HQ Rear ECPs for commercial organized at the ISAF HQ base; and oversized vehicles; • Providing force protection at re - • Providing force protection of the ceptions of foreign high level delega - classified areas in ISAF HQ; tions and IR Afganistan Government • Providing force protection of the representatives at ISAF HQ; reception desks of the Command • Providing force protection of the buildings and escorting persons; heliodrome located at the stadium • Assisting the international military within the Afghan National Army police during searches and escorting sports complex during landings and local residents for submitting job take-offs of helicopters at the base; documents and interviews; • Providing force protection of the • Providing force protection of the activities related to civil – military co - engineering unit from the Base Sup - operation and confidence building port Group when working on projects with the local population the so- for improving base security by set - called “Friday Bazaar” organized at ting up road blockades and maintain - the stadium in the vicinity of the base ing the control point at the location and the so-called “Women’s Bazaar”, of the works; organized in the Milano facility, every • Providing force protection during first Saturday in the month; conferences and high level events

Ther ARM members were well-known for their professionalism in executing the assigned missions in Kabul

34 The first contact at the ISAF camp gate is with the ARM members

• Escorting local workers and clean - • Performing patrols, both on foot ing staff during their work in the clas - and by motor vehicles in the police sified areas; areas within the assigned area of re - • Conducting exercises for the Base sponsibility; Support Group based on possible • Engaging the Quick Response scenarios of threats by engaging per - Force under the direct command sonnel from the company QRF. of the BSG Commander in the Other tasks and activities conducted police areas within the area of by the unit included: responsibility; • Assiting the fire fighting team in • Civil – military cooperation extinguishing larger scale fires; activities; • In periods of increased force pro - • Other activities ordered by the su - tection, additional engagement of an perior command. additional APC crew and patrol in the All our peacekeepers that were vicinity of the base; part of the force protection troops • Ocassional engagement of the will surely remember forever the necessary number of soldiers for pro - manner and dynamics in which they viding force protection at the entry executed their duties, which if asked point to the US Embassy; they describe as follows:

35 “As part of its regular duties, the unit nications assets, ready for interven - in the strength of one platoon was tion 24 hours a day, with 15 minutes normally engaged to perform patrols of readiness time in normal condi - in the area of responsibility and pro - tions, or 10 or 5 munites upon order. vide force protection for the QRF; The unit was engaged by an order is - one section of the unit was assigned sued by the base commander to perform patrols and one section through the duty officer, in circum - was assigned to the QRF. These sec - stances when the ISAF members tions interchanged every 24 hours. were under a threat or in emergency The section for patrols was tasked to situations at the base or within the conduct at least two patrols within unit area of responsibility. Indeed, the 24 hours. The patrolling was con - largest number of recognitions from ducted on the basis of previously de - the highest authorities of the base veloped plans by the company HQ. were given precisely to our QRF Following the patrols, the platoon members, for the minimal time in commanders together with the pa - which they reacted, which bolstered trol leader reported on the work of the confidence and safety of all mem - the patrol. All patrols lasted between bers of the armed forces in Kabul“. 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, de - In addition to the other tasks, the pending on the route and the assign - QRF was engaged for protection of ments during the patrol. The patrols convoys when transporting sick per - with an external perimeter within the sons to the hospital at “KAIA“ (Kabul areas and directions marked as high International Airport ) and for escort - risk were stopped when the security ing convoys during transportation of situation deteriorated in the last sev - VIPs. Our peacekeepers will remain eral years of the mission. proud of the fact that they them - The unit – the QRF (Quick Reaction selves and the Macedonian flag were Forces) section with full combat the first thing that many well-known equipment in a state of readiness persons and delegations saw when was located in a separate room, while visiting the Main HQ at KAIA. two APCs “Hermelin”, which were the The regular duties also included the most recognizable in the base, provision of force protection at the proudly waving he Macedonian flag camp – force rotectiion at the front were always in front of the facility and rear gates with observations and ready to go at all times and were posts. equipped with the necessary commu -

36 To that end, a unit in the strength visited the ISAF HQ. of two platoons was permanently en - During the mission, the company gaged. The tasks were carried out personnel was also engaged for pro - night and day, 24 hours a day. During viding force protection at other facili - important events organized in the ties within the area of responsibility camp (visits of VIPs, organization of during visits of senior NATO repre - important conferences and celebra - sentatives and NATO Military Com - tions), the unit was engaged for or - mittee representatives to ganizing cordons fr protection of Afghanistan. persons and facilities involved in In addition, the contingent personnel those important events. Many will re - performed non-stop 24 hour duty member that they were part of the service in the Operational centre of force protection for the US President, the BSG which was responsible for NATO Secretary General or the Presi - the overall security and logistic sup - dent of Afghanistan and Defence port. Ministers from many countries that

Patrolling as one of the tasks in the ISAF mission

37 Executing a task with UK servicemembers

The duty officers and assistant duty identification cards, training on the officers were appointed from the baggage scanner, training on vehicle Contingent Command. Teams with scanners for detecting explosives and two officers each took part in the urban warfare training; duty service. The duty service was or - - Training with the whole company ganized on shifts, 8 hours per shift. on alarm procedures in the base in During the mission, the members of various situations (a received threat the contingent that were nor en - to the base, a suspicious package gaged in the assignments underwent found in the bae, a direct attack on training activities, such as: the base, an indirect attack on the - Training for detecting magnetic base, an intruder in the base and an mines on vehicles, detecting fake attack of a car bomb and a suicide

38 bomber in the base) and on the QRF including generals. Our peacekeep - prpocedures in case of a complex at - ers, applying the prescribed proce - tack on the rear gate; dures always replied in a positive and - Medical training: first aid and self- friendly tone: “We know you Sir, but aid, a sunstroke, a heatstroke and a we are responsible for your security shock. and the security of the base and we In some rotations, a basic Dari are doing it in the best possible con - language course was also organized. scientious and professional manner, Our peacekeepers will recollect therefore, if you do not have valid en - many events, when performing their trance documentation, please obey force protection duties of controlling our orders”. For all these cases, they the entrance of persons into the base received praises personally from the in the most responsible and profes - ISAF Commanders from several rota - sional manner, they have stopped tions for their responsible work. senior military and political persons,

There was not lack of cooperation with the civilian structures in Kabul

39 Routine checks in compliance with all entrance procedures for motor vehicles in the ISAF camp

The assistance of the population in Afghanistan was complementary to the tasks

40 The female ARM members executed their tasks on an equal basis with their male fellow members

ARM patrol providing force protection at ISAF HQ camp

41

TASK FORCE „PHOENIX “

The peace operation of the task expertise and training level of its force Phoenix was an extremely com - members, proved the professionalism plex mission that required many of the ARM members in international preparations and energy. The Mace - missions. The complexity of the donian contingent within the 86th In - Phoenix mission increased the trust fantry Brigade Combat Team of and mutual cooperation of the Mace - Vermont the National Guard Ver - donian contingent with the members mont – USA, carried out operations of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat within the area of responsibility Team of Vermont the National Guard aimed at achieving stabilization and Vermont – USA and thus confirmed security of Afghanistan as part of the the years-long partnership of the international coalition forces. Republic of Macedonia with VNG. As part of this mission, 79 mem - The tasks that the ARM members bers of the SOR and the MP battal - executed as part of the TF Phoenix ion, together with their colleagues, were very complex. The ARM mem - the members of the NGV, USA and bers, together with NGV members, the US Army, carried out missions re - carried out complex and delicate lated to training and mentoring of tasks consisting of: the Afghan National Army and police, - Combat patrols on foot and by joint peace support operations in this motor vehicles aiming to show Middle Asian country, force protec - presence of troops in the area; tion missions for senior military - Conducting special and specific NATO and ISAF persons and joint op - reconnaissance and sniper missions; erations with NATO and the US in - Providing force protection of support of the Afghan Army and po - convoys within the area of responsi - lice in a period of 9 months. bility; The participation of the Task Force - Cordon and search: Phoenix in Afghanistan, given the - Rapid Reaction Forces.

43 TF Phoenix also carried out activi - NATO members states. ties in the domain of civil – military This commitment was well noted in cooperation. Many meetings were or - the Republic of Macedonia as well. All ganized with the local authorities for members that were part of the task planning and conducting a number of force Phoenix were awarded coins by projects, such as: construction of the Minister of Defence, as well as schools, hospitals, irrigation systems, four plaques with the logo of the Min - etc. In addition, TF Phoenix drafted istry of Defence for the Special Oper - projects for reconstruction of the ations Regiment, the Military Police company’s operational base. Battalion, the Rangers and the All ARM members that partici - Wolves. These medals and decora - pated in the mission Phoenix were tions, coupled with the high grades awarded medals and decorations. In for their professionalism in everyday Phoenix, the ARM members demon - work, serve as a confirmation of the strated that our country can produce ARM’s interoperability with NATO personnel, whose readiness is on the member states. same level with the armies of the

The participation in the Task Force Phoenix was an opportunity to confirm our interoperability with NGV

44 OPERATIONAL MENTOR AND LIAISON TEAM - OMLT WITHIN ISAF

The operational program, of the Afghan army at brigade level in the OMLTs is an important part of NATO- 3rd brigade – 209th corps of the ISAF’s contribution to the develop - ANA in Mazar-e-Shariff, Regional ment of the Afghan National Army. Command North. They provided training and mentor - The OMLTs were engaged for men - ing to the ANA. In addition, they toring during training, supervision served as a link between the ANA and and assisting the training and sug - the ISAF, by coordinating the plan - gesting ways for more efficient func - ning of activities and ensuring that tioning of the ANA units, with the the ANA units receive the necessary ultimate goal of making them capa - support (including close air support, ble of conducting operations in the evacuation of casualties and medicasl area of responsibility independently. evacuation). Immediately prior to their depar - During their engagement 2008 – ture to mission, the team members until the completion of the mission, attended a course for OMLT mission our members in the OMLTs, regard - execution in Hohenfels, FR Germany less of whether it was team 1, 2 or 3, where they were directly familiarized carried out mentoring activities for with the OMLT mission, goals and the appropriate staff sections of the methods of work.

45 Working in the OMLT’s – an opportunity to gain new experience

OMLT 1. This team consisted of a It was deployed in the camp with the signals officer and a signals NCO. The German OMLT (Mazar-e-Shariff). mission of the OMLT of the Macedon - OMLT 2. This team consisted of an ian contingent was executed in the intelligence officer, fire support offi - period 22 March -25 September cer and personnel NCO in the period 2008. The team was engaged in the January 2009 – July 2010 as part of period March 2008 - January 2011 the Bde OMLT of the 3rd Bde of the with 6-month rotations. The basic 209th ANA Corps in Kunduz, RC mission of the team was mentoring in North. The personnel was rotated the S-6 section in the 1st ANA every six months. OMLT 2 was en - Brigade, 209th ANA Corps in the gaged within the Bde OMLT of the Mike Spann camp in Mazar-e-Shariff. 2nd ANA Bde for mentoring of the The OMLT was under the operational training, supervision and assisting command of the German contingent the training and suggesting a more to which the team was assigned, efficient way of working of the ANA within the Bde OMLT of the 3rd Bde units, with the ultimate goal of mak - of the 209th ANA Corps in Mazar-e- ing it capable of operating independ - Shariff, that is, the OMLT in RC North. ently within the area of responsibility.

46 OMLT 3. This team consisted of a The OMLT personnel carried out signals officer and a signals NCO, an various assignments, inter alia: intelligence officer, fire support offi - - Conducting assignments arising cer and personnel NCO within the from their duties in the OMLT (men - Bde OMLT of the 3rd Bde of the toring in the sections and participat - 209th ANA Corps in Mazar-e-Shariff. ing in the planning of the operations); The team was engaged in the period - Mentoring, training and providing January 2011 – July 2014 with 6 - further training and support to the month rotations. The basic mission planning and execution of the up - of the team was mentoring of the coming operations; training, supervision and assisting - Assisting the link between the the training and suggesting a more ANA and the ISAF and the Coalition efficient way of working of the ANA forces; units, with the ultimate goal of - Providing regular attendance making it capable of operating at briefings and meetings with the independently within the area superiors within the Brigade OMLT; of responsibility.

ARM officers as part of the OMLT for training of the Afghan Security Forces

47 Supplying humanitarian aid to the local population

- maintaining regular contact with crete combat operations. The task of the senior national representative in our teams was to monitor and sup - the ISAF mkission in Afghanistan; port ANA’s activities; hence, our per - - Submitting weekly reports to the sonnel spent several weeks in combat Brigade OMLT through the senior na - operations in theatre in the tional representative in the ISAF mis - Badakhshan province, in the city of sion. Fayzabad, which is about 600 km During the mission, the OMLTs away from the camp. The teams oc - spent most of their time in training casionally took part in the meetings the ANA in the camp and surround - in the police stations, made contacts ings where ANA carried out their with the census committees during a tasks, including the conduct of con - census and elections and communi

48 The Macedonian peacekeepers were known among the local population as “the soldiers with a sun on their sleeve” cated with various governmental and The transport was conditioned with non-governmental organizations. immaculate knowledge and skills of During the mission, the cooperation the combat procedures in case of with the ANA members and the sudden attacks and protection, which members of the other ISAF nations was no problem whatsoever for our was on a very high level. representatives and our peacekeep - The OMLTs had trainings on various ers never had any additional training topics. for this purpose. The organized transport of the al - lies for the needs of our OMLT is a confirmation of the fact that our en - gagement was highly appreciated.

49

THE ARM MEDICAL TEAMS WITHIN ISAF Combined Medical Team

The Army of the Republic of Mace - mission deployment, the team had donia took part in the ISAF mission joint training in the Republic of Alba - within the A-3, as part of the Greek nia and in the medical Training Cen - field hospital as of August 2005 and tre within the Military health Care as part of the Czech field hospital in Centre – Skopje. The medical team the period March 2007 – July 2009. was constantly engaged within the In this mission, the Combined Med - period August 2005 – July 2009, win ical team operated as a team of 12 six-month rotations of the personnel. members, four representatives from Surgical team: based on the each of the following countries: Re - Agreement for Bilateral Cooperation public of Albania, Republic of Croatia with the Kingdom of Norrway, the and Republic of Macedonia, located Republic of Macedonia undertook to at KAIA, Afghanistan. The A-3 med - provide a medical surgical team for ical team included medical personnel the field hospital of the Kingdom of from the Military Health Care Service Norway that was located in Maymana – Skopje that functioned at that – Northwest Afghanistan. In line with time, as well as from the medical sup - the Agreement, the Republic of port platoons of the Logistic Support Macedonia deployed 6 rotations, Command. each rotation in duration of 6 months The Macedonian medical team con - within a period of 3 years. The mis - sisted of a doctor, two medical tech - sion for provision of Role 2 medical nicians, one paramedic and one care began on 01 December 2008 driver, or 4 personnel in total that ro - and ended in May 2012. tated every six months. Prior to each

51 One of the surgical medical teams in Maymana

The mission of the Medical Surgical within the PRT that was tasked to as - team in the ISAF was to provide Role sist the reconstruction of post-war 2medical care of the ISAF members Afghanistan.

Medical team in Maymana

52 In accordance with the technical care – medicine for the patients of arrangement between the MOD of the unit; the Republic of Macedonia and the • Lectures for the medical and sup - MOD of the Kingdom of Norway, the porting staff and scheduling the MST is engaged for: wounded soldiers based on the prior - • Diagnosis and treatment of surgi - ity. cal patients and scheduling the wounded sioldiers based on priority; • Treatments involving acute medi - cine, anesthesiology and intensive

The specific terrain in Afghanistan is a challenge in executing the assignments

53

STAFF OFFICERS IN THE ISAF

The Macedonian officers were en - - As of November 2009 – two staff gaged on staff duties since the very officers were transferred to the base beginning of the mission, first within in the vicinity of Kabul airport, where the Turkish contingent and then as the MP NCO was also located; staff officers in the South-Eastern - 2010 – two staff officers (training Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) in the ro - and liaison engineering officer and tation in which the brigade was en - MP NCO); gaged. - 2011 - two staff officers (training In the period from the beginning of and liaison engineering officer and 2008 to January 2009, three staff of - MP NCO); ficers gave their active contribution - From 2012 to January 2013 - two to ISAF HQ assigned in the following staff officers (training and liaison en - sections: Information Corrdination gineering officer and MP NCO); Section, Section Ј-9 – Civil – Military - From 2013 to December 2014 – Cooperation (CIMIC) and psychologi - one MP NCO. cal operations. The next rotations The training and liaison engineer - and duties of the staff officers were ing officer is usually deployed in the as follows: Engineering Section in Ј-3/ ISAF, and - January 2009 – three staff offi - the MP NCO was deployed at the In - cers ( Ј-9, CIMIC and a training and li - ternational Police Station at Kabul aison engineering officer and MP airport. officer at KAIA);

55 Tasks of sion and assisting the training and the Staff officers suggesting ways for more efficient functioning of the MP school, with in the Military the ultimate goal of making them ca - Police School pable of conducting operations in the area of responsibility independently. In the period September 2011 - March 2012, a mentoring officer Tasks of team was sent to the Military Police the training school in Kabul. The team consisted of three officers. In the period Febru - and liaison ary 2012 – September 2012, the engineering officer: team was composed of 5 NCOs and 3 officers, while in the period Septem - - Management of the engineering ber 2012 – March 2013 ot had two of - parks (EP); ficers. - Participation in the Committee The staff officers within the MP for selection and technical evaluation school in Kabul were engaged for of tenders for building EPs; mentoring during training, supervi -

Joint training with the Afghan National Army 56 - Supervision over the EP inventory - Monitoring the situation in all direc - of assets; tions of movement within the area of - Introduction of SOPs for using the operations of he engineering units di - EP assets; rectly subordinated to the ISAF-JFC - Planning and procurement of IV (18th Engineering Brigade, later re - class assets for the needs of the EP; placed by the 411th Engineering - Planning, coordination, synchro - Brigade and the 22nd Naval Con - nization and control of the engineer - struction Regiment). ing training (bridges and force protection) with the members of the The tasks engineering units, such as the Coali - of the MP tion forces and the Afghan National Army; NCO at the International Military - Execution of additional tasks Police in the northern (military) part within the section; of KAIA encompass tasks that are in - Compillation of the weekly engi - line with the SOPs at the Interna - neering reporting which is submitted tional Military Police in the northern to Joint Force Command Brunssum; (military) part of KAIA.

57 The MP NCO, deployed in the Inter - - Support to the force protection as - national Military Police in the north - signments at KAIA (North). ern (military) part of the KAIA, is In addition to the above listed obliga - responsible, inter alia, for: tions, the MP NCO was also engaged - Investigation procedures for crimi - in the management and supervision nal activities at KAIA (North); activities of the International Military - Traffic control at KAIA (North); Police. - Investigation procedures in traffic During the engagement, all contin - accidents in the camp; gent members complied with the - Implementation of traffic security rules of engagement within the area programs; of responsibility, the cultural and tra - - Detention; ditional customs of the local popula - - Passenger control and security on tion. all arriving and departing flights at the military airport, both internal and international;

58

SENIOR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

The leaders of the Macedonian the interests of the ARM contingents contingents in most rotations were that participate in the mission in the the senior national representatives most responsible manner. Addition - that organized the coordination with ally the SNR performs other tasks, the other contingents and persons inter alia: with care and conscience for each • Organization and escorting dur - ARM member in Afghanistan. ing visits of high level representa - The SNR is deployed in the ISAF tives of the Republic of Macedonia to company. Since the beginning of our Afghanistan (in coordination with the participation in the mission until ISAF Command); 2009, the unit commander or the • Attendance of conferences, brief - most senior staff officer was desig - ings, meetings in the Main HQ of the nated as the SNR. Coalition Forces in Kabul, The increased participation Afghanistan; brought about greater duties and re - • Organization of the rotation of all sponsibilities. Therefore, in the July contingents as sheduled; 2009 rotation, ARM officer was de - • Responsibility for raising and ployed for the first time as a SMR as solving all open issues and problems a separate function. relating to the life and work of the The SNR during the mission is a contingents; representative of the Republic of • Holding regular briefings and Macedonia that represents and pro - meetings with the contingent com - tects the interests of our country and manders and other personnel;

61 • Participation in meetings with the mission and developing weekly re - national representatives from the ports on the situation of the contin - other armies to discuss topics relat - gents and submitting the reports to ing to the operation and administra - the ARM GS; tion of the coalition forces, and if • Collecting the received invoices required, setting up a common posi - for the services rendered to our tion and understanding due to na - contingents (food, laundry etc.) tional differences; and submitting them for payment • If required, providing advice to to the Republic of Macedonia; the command group of the coalition • Taking care of the morale and forces HQ on issues in the field of the organization of sports and leisure rules and regulations that are in di - activities by participating in the Base rect correlation with the engagement Committee for morale and social and tasks of the ARM contingents; activities. • Monitoring of the work and main - taining communication with the other ARM contingents in the ISAF

62

MOST COMMON THREATS

Being present and operating in watchfully following the situation and areas that are constantly marked as responding to the challenges. “orange” or “red” for their level of se - The members of the Macedonian curity, that is, in areas that are po - contingent met numerous challenges tentially dangerous or highly and threats during their participation dangerous according to the NATO in the ISAF. The most common classification of security, is a great threats to the security of the units challenge for every soldier, even for that conducted the mission in the most experienced. Yet, our Afghanistan primarily included the peacekeepers proved this in practice, following: having calm faces radiating with con - - attacks with IEDs; fidence, always being on the frontline - attacks by suicide bombers, from executing their assignments, even in vehicles, on foot, etc.; the most dangerous situations. In - sniper attacks; dangerous situations, when the - direct attacks with infantry sirens in the base called for finding weapons, and shelters, only the Macedonian sun - missile attacks. could be seen on the left uniform The most characteristic noted at - sleeve in the first defence lines under tacks include the attack of a suicide helmets and full combat equipment, bomber from a bomb vehicle at the

65 main gate of the ISAF HQ in July members kept their dignity in co - 2009; the massive attack on the HQ ducting their tasks, provided assis - ISAF with infantry weapons in Sep - tance in countering the attacks and tember 2011 and the synchronized supported the force protection ac - attacks on the HQ ISAF base, the tions on the surrounding facilities, in - Presidential Palace, the CIA seat, the cluding the US Embassy in Kabul, for Ministry of Defence of Afghanistan which they were unselfishly praised and the international hotels in June by the allies and partners. 2013. In these attacks, the ARM

66 RECEIVED DECORATIONS

The units engaged in the missions of Defence, the Chief of General Staff fully executed the assigned tasks and and their immediate superior com - demonstrated in the best possible manders for their achieved results. way the training, capability and com - The contingent members were patibility of the ARM with the armies also decorated by the highest com - from the NATO member states. mand structures of the ISAF HQ, Many contingent members were the Coalition Forces and the awarded and praised by the Minister US Army as follows:

67 - NATO medal for their participa - The SNR were awarded coins by tion in the ISAF mission, which is the Chief of General Staff and the awarded to each member that contingent commanders, the ser - patticipated in a rotation for at geant majors and certain officers least 30 days; were awarded coins for appreciation - Achievement medal awarded by by the BSG Commander, who was the US Army to most of the members also the Base Commander. that participated in the Phoenix mission; - Medal of the US campaign in Afghanistan, ARCOM, medals and bronze badges for the participation of the ARM members in the ISAF mission;

68 DIGNIFIED PRESENTATION IN THE NON-COMBAT SEGMENT OF THE MISSION LIFE AND WORK

In addition to executiong their taken care of in all rotations and combat assignments, the Macedon - bases. ian peacekeepers during their deploy - The personnel who performed du - ment in the ISAF mission used the ties was housed in a container type little spasre time that they had building and in other complementary avaibale enjoying non-combat ac - buildings that meet the living and tivties. They used every opportunity working requirements. The female to take part and compete in sport personnel was housed in a separate events and socialize with the mem - facility. bers from the other national contin - Interestingly, all accommodation gents contributing thus towards facilities in this base had its own achieving common understanding name, which in a specific manner and unity among the participating helped in the evacuation during the nations. sounding of alarms and the location The ISAF mission will also be re - of the required personnel. Interest - membered by the fact that even in ingly enough, the building where our war conditions, hypothetically speak - contingent was placed was called ing, the basic needs for decent ac - “Tom”, while the name of the building commodation, communication, ratios of the members of the United King - and recreation of the personnel were dom was called “Jerry” and all

69 members of the base constantly said tournaments in football, volleyball, that “Tom" and “Jerry” synchronize chess, darts, billiards, bingo and other and perform their tasks in an extraor - games. Our troops, despite their con - dinary manner. tinuous engaging, always possessed The base where the Headquarters enough enthusiasm to constantly win was located, as well as the place or at least be among the first three where most of our troops were places in almost all team sports, and housed, organized regular sport ac - at times in the individual disciplines, tivities for maintaining their physical which have brought them numerous fitness and they marked remarkable trophies, medals and recognition by results in this non-combat part of the the Commission for Morale and En - mission. tertainment. The cultural and leisure activities The victories of our members in the are treated as important activities sports and in leisure activities, were for the morale of all members in the sometimes discouraging for the base. The authorities in the base or - other teams, so before the start of ganized dances, competitive games, any activity, the other teams asked

70 whether the “Macedonian Suns” in the relevant period , and at the would participate, so that they could same time, the contingent celebrated start predicting who will get the sec - the ARM Day, the Day of Independ - ond and third place, because the first ence 8 September and the Day of the would already be taken. National Uprising - October 11. By previously submitting requests Members of other contingents will for celebrations of national holidays, surely remember the Macedonian birthdays, etc., certain facilities from specialties prepared for them, espe - the base could be used. cially the traditional Macedonian dish The National Day of the Republic of “baked beans” (tavche gravche), as Macedonia, August 2 – Ilinden, offi - well as the big cake with the Mace - cially supported by the ISAF mission donian flag which always aroused HQ (with a certain financial grant and great interest. These gourmet meals the presence of top officers), were were prepared by our members in celebrated by each rotation present kitchens at the specific bases.

71

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Resource implications, whether it trustworthy partner, a partner that be personal, engaged capacity or fi - the allies and other partners can rely nancial resources, cannot be com - on, and a partner that knows how to pared with what has been invested share the burden and help when and obtained by participating in the most needed. stabilization and reconstruction of However, for those who prefer fig - Afghanistan. Afghanistan is on the ures as indicators, excluding the un - path to becoming a safe place to live, selfish benefits that our participants albeit slowly, and the welfare of the have offered to their allies and part - Afghan people is constantly taking ners, for its overall multi-year en - place. The benefit from the engage - gagement in ISAF, the Republic of ment of the Republic of Macedonian Macedonia spent a total of 3 billion in this mission is multifold. Someone 426 million MKD or 55 million Euros. might say that it is mostly political, This amount does not include the but one would like to believe that is costs for pre-deployment prepara - also cultural, i.e. that during this mis - tions, training and evaluation of the sion we learned a lot, both about us units designated for deployment. and about the others. We learned to To us, as a country with the respec - act as part of the grand coalition, to tive GDP and overall capacities that share the values of democratic action are transparently published, these and be interoperable with the top costs are considered as respectable. world armies. We reaffirmed that we However, we would like to know what are ready and that we have met all others have to say about us in every preconditions for full-fledged mem - respect. bership in NATO, and that we are a

73 WHAT HAVE OTHERS SAID ABOUT US...

http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/welcome_home_re- http://www.eucom.mil/media- ception2010.html library/photo/15304/ambassador-reeker-shakes- hands-with-soldiers-along-with-ltg-stojanovski-and-lt- Reception ceremony for 79 ARM members co 16 December, 2010 Ambassador Reeker shakes hands with sol - diers along with LTG Stojanovski and Lt Col Ambassador Reeker's Remarks: Kaiser. On behalf of President Obama, I want to ex - By EUCOM press our deep gratitude to these soldiers who December 3, 2010 participated in the deployment of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Vermont National Guard, in Afghanistan under ISAF Re - gional Command—East. I am also honored to pass along the personal thanks and appreciation of Major General Dubie, the Commanding General of the Ver - mont National Guard, and a long-time friend of the Army and of Macedonia. Macedonia has consistently stood alongside the United States and other allies in defend - ing freedom and making the world more safe Ambassador Reeker, LTG Stojanovski and Lt Col Kaiser by and secure for all of us. EUCOM

http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/mac_ttroops_.html the requirements in Afghanistan to determine how your forces would be best employed in this critical Ambassador Reeker Thanks the Macedonian endeavor. We plan to engage your government Army Troops that Served in the Operation Iraqi concerning this matter within the next two weeks Freedom and look forward to continuing our partnership as we seek to bring greater security to the Afghan Letter from David H.Petraeus people. Dear Honorable Mr. Konjanovski, Your nation’s leadership and support of the war on terror have brought great credit to Macedonia. I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, The US Central Command is grateful for the many your government, and the people of Macedonia for contributions of your nation. the contributions and sacrifices you have made to secure the future of the citizens of Iraq. The secu - With best warm regards, rity assistance training you have provided to the Iraqi Security Forces in Baghdad, as well as your David H. Petraeus staff officers’ assistance at the Multi-National General, United States Army Force-Iraq, have contributed immensely to Commanding progress in Iraq. I would also like to thank you for considering further support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan. Currently, we are analyzing http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ Baily_Testimony.pdf http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/10879 Statement of Jess Baily Ambassador - /45/ Designate to the Republic of Macedonia US decorates 31 Macedonian soldiers Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sep - Monday, 14 December 2009 tember 17, 2014 Admiral William Brown: Foreign opera - “Macedonia has been a steadfast partner tions had showed to the world the capaci - in international security operations: this ties, preparedness and determination of past July, 153 Macedonian soldiers de - Macedonia for Euro-Atlantic integration. ployed in the country’s 17th rotation to - Macedonia is a key member in the Adri - Afghanistan to provide force protection at atic Group and it will play an important International Security Assistance Force role in the enlargement process in the re - headquarters in Kabul. Macedonia is one gion. Macedonia continues to be a re - of the highest per capita contributors to gional leader in promoting Balkan peace ISAF. It has affirmed its willingness to and stability.” stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014; and it supports the EU peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UN mis - sion in Lebanon.” http://www.eucom.mil/media- library/photo/17783/krivolak-republic-of- macedonia-mdash-macedonian-army-sgt-1st- class-sasha-toshevski-stands-behind-u-s- army-sgt-daniel-demars-team-leader-with- the-230th-military-police-company-95th-mili tary-pol http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/article/25425/new- vtng-adjutant-general-moves-macedonia-partnership-for- KRIVOLAK, Republic of Macedonia — ward Macedonian army Sgt. 1st Class Sasha Toshevski stands behind U.S. Army Sgt. Decorating 79 peacekeepers in Ilinden barracks Daniel DeMars, team leader with the by Cray, Wohlers and Glodgett 230th Military Police Company, 95th SKOPJE, Macedonia, 12 September 2013 Military Pol - April 2010, By EUCOM

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Forrest Glodgett, “These soldiers earned the Meritorious Unit Cita - tion and Vermont Commendation medals. I am proud to have served with them in Afghanistan.” U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, the Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard “We share a deep bond of mutual respect that has grown from our experience in combat, but we also know each other’s families. The personal na - ture of our relationship is only built over time.” (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Adrienne Killingsworth) http://www.eucom.mil/media-library/article/21021/ ate in the joint war on terrorism … and we will vermont-guard-trains-macedonia-military-missions succeed." Vermont Guard trains Macedonia military for peacekeeping missions By Tech. Sgt. Devin L. Fisher U.S. European Com - mand Public Affairs October 18, 2006 KRIVOLAK, Macedonia "The State Partnership Program is a very dynamic, effective tool for Atlantic-European integration" for aspirant NATO countries like Macedonia, said Army Lt. Col. Michael Hurst, EUCOM Macedonia desk of - ficer. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, The Adjutant (Army Lt. Col. Dan Pipes, commander, 1-124 In - General of Vermont, agrees. "The things that we fantry Training Battalion, contributed to this -arti - are going to practice will remain in our life for - cle.) ever," he said. "This is cooperation on a global level because the terrorist threat is present all over the world. Our two armies are determined to cooper -

http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/mac_ttroops_.html http://georgewbush- Ambassador Reeker Thanks the Macedonian whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/1 Army Troops that Served in the Operation 0/text/20051026-4.html Iraqi Freedom President Meets with the Macedonian Ambassador Reeker addresses the Macedonian Prime Minister Buchkovski Army troops The Oval Office 19 December, 2008 26 October, 2005

Remarks by Ambassador Philip T. Reeker, PRESIDENT BUSH: “Though I know you took this mission with a “I am grateful for the strong support that military objective, you were also serving as en - you have given in our efforts to win the voys of Macedonia -- and you projected an ex - war on terror. You've been a steadfast ally, cellent image of this country and its people…. and the American people are grateful. I …No one who has served in any of these impor - also appreciate the fact that you have tant missions has any doubt that the Macedon - committed troops alongside our troops, in ian military is strong, smart, and ready for any some of the world's newest democracies, mission…. in Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to thank The United States recognizes that we have an you for that, as well.” exceptionally close friend and ally in the Re - public of Macedonia.” CEREMONY on the occasion of the completion of the ISAF mission and the participation of the ARM in this mission

On 16 January 2015, the Ministry of Defence and ISAF for their commitment and courage and told the Army of the Republic of Macedonia organized a them that over the past 12 years there have been ceremony to express officially their gratitude to all many achievements that we can be very proud of, Macedonian peacekeepers that were part of the 12- and underlined two of them – the participation in year participation of the ARM in the ISAF mission in the PHOENIX mission, where the Macedonian sol - Afghanistan. diers were fully integrated with the US troops and At the ceremony, the defence against ISAF HQ and the US Embassy the Minister of De - on 13 September 2011. fence Zoran The Chief of General Staff of the ARM at that time, Jolevski addressed Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski stated in his the military leader - address: “I was honoured to hear in person that the ship, the Ambassa - ISAF senior political authorities felt safe in the main dors acreditted to HQ and that the Macedonian peacekeepers are pro - the Republic of fessional, responsible and brave”. Macedonia and the The Ambassadors of the Republic of Tuekry and members of the the United States of America, Ömür Şölendil and last contingent in Paul Wohlres respectively, spoke at the ceremony this mission: “By and emphasized that the Republic of Macedonia is a participating in the credible partner and proven ally. The Ambassadors ISAF mission in Afghanistan, Macedonia has trans - stated that the ARM members served alongside formed itself into an exporter of security and posi - their fellow colleagues from the allies. tive changes. Our peacekeepers achieved a great As a token of our gratitude for the support to the success, which is evident in the enhancement of participation of the ARM members in the ISAF mis - peace, freedom and democracy in this country“. sion, Minister Jolevski awarded plaques of gratitude Minister Jolevski added that Macedonia’s partici - to the Ambassadors of the USA, the United King - pation in the ISAF has always been supported by dom, Turkey, Germany, Norway, Croatia, France, the the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, the po - Czech Republic, Greece and Italy. litical officials, and most importantly, by the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia. Minister Jolevski thanked over 2700 ARM members that were part of

Minister of Defence Zoran Jolevski and the Chief of General Staff at that time, Lieutenant General Gorancho Koteski with the Ambas - sadors of the countries supporting the ARM in the ISAF (from left to right): the Ambassador of the USA at that time, Paul Wohlers, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Charles Garrett, the Ambassador of Turkey, Ömür Şölendil, the Ambassador of FR Germany, Christine Althauser, the Defence Attaché of Norway, Tore Andersson, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Miroslav Rameš, the Ambassador of France, Laurence Auer, the Ambassador of Greece, Haris Lalakos and the Ambassador of Italy, Massimo Bellelli. About the ARM in the ISAF…

Vlado Buchkovski - Minister of Defence 24 July 2004 – Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, address by the MoD Buchkovski before the MPs “The deployment of our unit represents a continuous reaffirmation of the efforts of the Republic of Macedonia in contributing to the fight against terrorism as a member of the anti-terrorist coalition for preserving peace in Afghanistan and its aspirations for NATO membership.” http://bit.ly/1nvNjgO

Jovan Manasijevski - Minister of Defence 16 February 2006, on the participation of the ARM in peacekeeping missions, statement for Radio Free Europe: “This is of huge political importance, because through our participation in NATO-led operations and the op - erations of the anti-terrorist coalition, we as a country have gained great political credit and those proce - dures increased Macedonia’s power in the defence and the promotion of its national interests.” http://www.makdenes.mobi/a/1479339.html

Lazar Elenovski, Minister of Defence 17 July 2009, Kabul Afghanistan, statement by the MoD Elenovski during his visit of the Macedonian con - tingent in the ISAF “Our participation in ISAF is Macedonia’s trump card in reaffirms its readiness to join NATO” http://makfax.com.mk/zanimlivosti/zdravje/69649

Minister of Defence Zoran Konjanovski 09.07.2010, address in “Jane Sandanski” barracks, Shtip, Farewell ceremony for the ISAF peacekeepers: “I am confident in your readiness and quality, I know that you will continue the pace of the previous gen - erations of peacekeepers, and the only thing that you can do is to improve the excellent mark of the Repub - lic of Macedonia in the peacekeeping operations. Be proud of your work, your families, the uniform and the flag.”

Minister of Defence Fatmir Besimi 08-01-2013 – visiting the contingent of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia which is part of the ISAF troops in Kabul, Afghanistan: “This is the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia to NATO and to the global stability in general. This contribution has received the highest marks on all NATO summits in the past, on all the meetings we have had in the past, regardless of whether they have been given by the NATO Secretary General Rasmussen, or from the bilateral nature“. http://www.morm.gov.mk/?shtit=26534&lang=mk

Minister of Defence Talat Xhaferi 13 April 2013, Kabul, Afghanistan, Mr. Xhaferi visiting the peacekeepers from the Army of the Republic of Macedonia that are part of the ISAF:

“The Republic of Macedonia fully supports the efforts of the international community to ensure a stable and secure democratic future for Afghanistan. In line with the needs of the Alliance and taking into consid - eration our domestic capabilities, our country is ready to participate in the new mission and continue to provide unhindered contribution to the advancement of the Afghan society beyond 2014.” http://vecer.mk/dzhaferi-vo-poseta-na-makedonskite-mirovnici-vo-avganistan

Deputy Minister of Defence Emil Dimtriev 08. 11. 2011, Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, address before the MPs: “The Republic of Macedonia has continuously received high marks and awards from the highest and most senior authorities of NATO and the Alliance member countries. As an example of the professionalism and capacity of the ARM members he indicated the event from 13 September this year (2011), when they ac - tively participated in refuting the attack on the Kabul HQ”. ISAF / ARM - 12 Years Almbassadpr of Peace

Publisher Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia

For the Publisher Zoran Jolevski, Ph.D.

Editorial Board Marija Rashkovska, Chairperson Lieutenant Colonel Toni Janevski, Biljana Eftimova, Colonel Ferdo Pavlov, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, Colonel Simeon Trajkovski, Dimche Isailovski, Ivan Petrushevski, Dushko Avramovski, Aleksandar Atanasov, Biljana Ivanova, Zhanet Ristoska Ph.D., Igor Gjoreski Ph.D., Sasho Kuzmanovski M.A., Gabriela Gjorgjevik, Lieutenant Colonel Dragan Kuzmanovski, Members

Editor of the Publication Lieutenant Colonel Toni Janevski

Text Lieutenant Colonel Toni Janevski, Gabriela Gjorgjevik, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgoski, Igor Gjoreski Ph.D., Ivan Petrushevski, Dushko Avramovski, Colonel Simeon Trajkovski

Consultants Colonel Ljube Dukoski, Colonel Kiro Kalkov, Lieutenant Colonel Emini Besnik, Colonel Dragan Kovachki

Cover and Art and Graphic Design Dimche Isailovski

Photographs - Archives Public Affairs Office, ARM General Staff, Media and Multimedia Section, Department for Communications, Analytics and Operational Support, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia

Translation into english Rozi Grozdanovska - Veleska Martina Kimovska

Reviewer Aleksandar Stojchev, Ph.D.

Proof Reader Ksenija Mitev

Print: VINSENT GRAFIKA - Skopje 2016 CIP - Каталогизација во публикација Национална и универзитетска библиотека "Св. Климент Охридски", Скопје

355.356./357:355.3(497.7:581)"2003/2015"

ISAF - ARM 12 years ambassador of peace / [text Toni Janevski ... и др. ]. - Skopje : Ministry of defence of the Republic of Macedonia, 2016. - 80 стр. : илустр. ; 21 см

ISBN 978-9989-2851-7-2 1. Janevski, Toni [ автор ] а) Меѓународни мировни операции - Упатство на армија на Република Македонија - Авганистан - 2003-2015 COBISS.MK-ID 100491786