No.9 Price: 50 den. May, 2010 ISSN: 1857-6710

MagazineMganea z i ofo f thet he MinistryM i nistry ofo f DefenseD e fense ofo f thet he R epublice pu b l ic ofo f MaceM a cedoniad o n i a

A review of the last visit to Afganistan THETHE MISSIONMISSION CONTINUESCONTINUES

A DEMONSTRATED HIGH DEGREE OF READINESS AND TRAINING EXERCISE „MACEDONIAN FLASH 06“

DESERVED GROUNDING OF ONE OF THE MOST EXPLOITED ARMY AIRCRAFTS THE HELICOPTER VAM 303

ARM-NATO REPORTING WEAPONS MILITARY HISTORY GAMES AND SIMULATIONS LOGISTIC SUPPORT COMMAND MEMBERS Content:

CROWN OF THE LONGTERM PARTNERSHIP The Republic of Macedonia and the United States of America have a high level of co­ operation. One of the numerous examples of this cooperation is the joint participation of the ARM and the US Vermont National Guard members in the joint contingent “Phoenix” in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. The joint contingent “Phoenix” consisted of 79 representatives of the Regiment for spe­ cial operations and the Military Police Battal­ ion of the RM, together with representatives from the American Army and the Vermont National Guard has begun its mission for Page INTERVIEW training and mentoring of the Afghan Na­ WITH THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE tional Army and Police thus contributing to OF THE REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO, the coalition forces of NATO and the US in 8 MR. BORO VuCHINIC building a democratic society in Afghanistan. This event has an exceptional importance for both Macedonian and American sol­diers LOGISTICS SUPPORT standing “shoulder to shoulder” in accom­ Page CONCEPT OF ARM IN MISSIONS plishing their complex activities in the service of peace and therefore it was marked by the OBSERVATIONS AND NEW CHALLENGES Macedonian Embassy in Washington with 4 an official ceremony. The Macedonian­ Am bassador to Washington, Mr. Zoran Jolevski, TREND OR LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE handed over the three flags of the ARM Page units:” the Rangers”, the Military Police and FUTURE? the “Wolves” to Major General Michael Dubie, the Commander of the Vermont National 15 MODERNIZATION OF Mi-24 HELICOPTERS Guard in front of a large number of guests “Aleksandar” – part two and representatives from governmental and nongovernmental organizations, legislative, administrative and defensive structures of Page SPACE DEBRIS the United States, ambassadors and atta­ Page chés. THE BIGGEST THREAT “The cooperation between Macedonia and 20 FOR SPACE EXPLORATION the United States is at very high level. This 23 is evidence and an indication of the partner relations between the two countries. The mission of our army as part of the troops of Page STATIONARY CAMPING the Special Vermont Guard in Afghanistan is another indicator of the great coopera­ WITH THE ARM ARTILLERISTS tion between the two armies. Practically, a 30 complete interoperability of the two armies”, stated Ambassador Jolevski at the reception. Major General Dubie expressed his great sat­ isfaction with the readiness of the Macedo­ Page IN SERVICE OF THE ARMY JUSTICE nian soldiers in Afghanistan. “In Afghanistan, Page according to the latest news, everything is FROM THE PEACEKEEPER’S JOURNAL going well. The Macedonian soldiers arrived 33 well prepared and we are impressed by their 26 professionalism and ability to cope with all the challenges”, emphasized Dubie. The Minister of Defence Mr. Zoran Konja­nov­ Page BOMB DEACTIVATION ski joined in the symbolical marking of the deployment of the Macedonian Army Units ANTI-DIVERSIONARY PROTECTION as part of the Vermont National Guard by 36 sending a letter. “We have joined at this occa­ sion with a sense of honor and pride. Today, in the best possible way, we are celebrat­ Page ing the contribution of the RM to the global LESS NUCLEAR WEAPONS Page peace and security as well as the firm, stra­ FOR A SAFER WORLD tegic partnership between Ma­ce­donia and 42 the USA. Not more than twenty days ago, REVIEW OF THE NEW NUCLEAR STRATEGY 46 the Macedonian and the American soldiers marked he beginning of the joint contribu­ SHIELD - Year II, issue 9, May 2010, published monthly tion towards the training and the mentoring PUBLISHER - MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA of the Afghan National Security Forces. We are proud to have our joint mission aimed PUBLISHING BOARD Emil Dimitriev (Chairman, chief) towards the priorities of the Alliance. This Major general Naser Sejdini, Sashko Dimov, Lieutenant Colonel Mirce Gjorgoski, Lieutenant Colonel Zdravko Rizovski, common engagement is a crown to the Lieutenant Colonel Meri Rindzova, Ph.D. Gorgi Malkovski long years of partnership between the sister armies of the Vermont National Guard and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the ARM, writes Minister Konjanovski in his Lieutenant Colonel Zdravko Rizovski letter, underlining the firm commitment that Macedonia continues to contribute not only EDITORIAL BOARD Biljana Ivanova (Copy Editor, Art and Graphic Editor), Ivan Petrushevski (Associate Journalist) Ksenija Miteva (Lector), Aleksandar towards stability and security of the region, Atanasov (Photographs) but also to the global security and world peace. The common mission of our “brothers CONCEPTUAL CONSULTING, ART OFFICE AND DESIGN in arms” is a real confirmation that Republic Zarko Stojanovik, Oliver Kurciev, Vesna Vujadinovik, Stefan Smiljanoski of Macedonia is an “equal and trustworthy partner”, states Minister Konjanovski in his Printed by: ”Evropa 92” Kocani letter that was read in front of the others. ADDRESSS The outspoken assessment of ther relevant MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - Magazine “SHIELD” Macedonian and American authorities is a “Orce Nikolov” bb 1000 Skopje sufficient guarantee that the joint contingent Phone: 02 038 24 17; 02 328 20 58 “Phoenix” will complete its noble mission suc­ Fax: 02 3113 527; 02 3128 276 cessfully. www.morm.gov.mk; E-mail: [email protected] Zdravko Rizovski 3 LOGISTICS SUPPORT CONCEPT OF ARM IN MISSIONS OBSERVATIONS AND NEW CHALLENGES

n the framework of the strategic determination for membership to NATO and the EU, the Republic of Macedonia continues its dedi- cation to reform for improv- ing the defence capabilities. In accordance with the goals of the Long-term Development Plan and the Annual National Program (ANP) for NATO membership, in the forthcom- ing period the Republic of Macedonia will continue with its active contribution in the international operations with units and military personnel that will gradually increase to a certain percentage, propor- tionally with the development of the deployment capacities of the ARM. As already known, by the end of 2009, Macedonia brought is approaching the comple- tion of the partnership goal to prepare one medium infantry battalion for participation in a wide range of NATO-led op- erations, deployable and able to operate with high intensity, to maneuver on all kinds of terrains and different weather conditions. This is only the first precondition for establishing a

4 battalion group which is to be carried cept represents a basis for develop- Macedonia, in support of “friendly out several years latter. ment and transformation of the sys- troops” deployed in the RM, as well The units and equipment contri­bution tem for the logistical support of the as other military assignments. increase brings about the increase in defence and the ARM. The document The Logistics Support Planning in the responsibility of the logistics sup­ may be used as a guideline in plan- missions Guidelines provides the port (LS) of the national contingents. ning and implementing the defence guidelines and explains the metho­ The priority is one more point on the of the RM, the participation of the dology for implementing the appro­ list of logistical challenges in 2010: ARM in peace support operations priate logistical planning and imple­ codification, stan­dardization, logis­ and humanitarian aid, resolving re- mentation of the lo­gistical support in tics infor­ma­tion system, acquisition gional conflicts and crisis, and protec- conducting the operations. The pro­ system, decentralization of functions tion of broader interests of the RM, visions from these guidelines refer and responsibilities, optimization of moreover, it can be used in participa- not only to the NATO-led operations, lo­gistics personnel, structural chan­ tion of the ARM units in multinational but also to the participation of our ges, establishment of material man­ operations outside the Republic of troops in operations led by the UN, agement, etc.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES Participation of the ARM contingents in ISAF, Althea and Iraqi Freedom was mainly based on logistics support of coalition partners in the area of re­ sponsibility. Although the RM had a rather poor experience in these and similar missions, as a member of the PfP (Partnership for Peace) it often had a relatively privileged status and used the benefits of the multinational logistics support of the allied forces. Consequently, the national respon­ sibility in providing logistics support was concentrated on engaging the entities in the contingent prepara­ tion, deployment and return phase. The continual existence of the troops was directly dependant on the orga­ nization and implementation of the logistics concept of a partner coun­ try or ac­cording to the existing inter­ na­tional agreements. On the other hand, the participation resulted in EU, OSCE or other union or coalition several capital benefits – gaining in­ in which the RM participates as a valuable international experience in member. defining operational needs, possible The logistic support of the deployed allocation of financial resources for ARM unit in an operation outside other needs in the country, and gain­ the Macedonian territory includes ing self-confidence and security in preparation, deployment, reception, performing operations in a distant staging and movement in the area multinational environment etc. of operations, operation execution and redeployment and return to the LOGISTICS SUPPORT ESTABLISH- country. All these elements are con­ MENT IN MISSIONS tained in the basic Draft Concept for In addition to the already mentioned Logistics Mission Support which was experiences gained by participation outlined in the above-mentioned in international missions, a good as­ guidelines. sumption and foundation for a more The outline (1) provides the possibil­ serious approach toward the estab­ ity of presenting the basic idea for lishing of a logistics sup­port system implementing the logistic support in missions are the achievements with the basic system elements, in the logistics field from the previ­ that is, a conditional division of the ous year. This primarily refers to the logistics organized according to the revised National Logistics Support levels of responsibility. The fact that Concept, revised Combat Service there is no single adopted terminol­ Support Directive, Logistics Support ogy in the logistics that will ease the Planning in NATO-led missions Guide­ expression and the communication lines, National Support Element Con­ forces us to operate with closely de­ cept, the activities of the integrated termined terms. In this respect, the project teams for acquisition of mis­ overall logistics in the RM (entities, sion equipment, implementation of infrastructure and resources) is the codification and current engagement domestic logistics. After the deploy­ of entities from the logistics in re­ ment on the territory in the area of form processes for army structure operations, advanced logistic sup­ improvement etc. port is formed to support the con­ The National Logistics Support Con­ tingent participating in a specific mis­

5 that is, the logistic element in the area of responsibility. Several factors influence the establishment of the logistic element, where the practice suggests engagement of a company for logistic support of the mecha­ nized infantry battalion, which does not necessarily have to be a rule. The present Concept allows the estab­ lishment of logistic support elements of a modular principle by escorting the previously enabled and equipped modules-units toward the mission re­ quirements. The last transformation of the ARM troops should allow enhancement of the horizontal relations by increasing the responsibility of all participants in the logistics support system, which is a characteristic of all contemporary armies in the world, especially in the last few years. Thus, a perspective is opened for a positive solution of the immobility of the logistics support system and elimination of the redun­ dant, expensive and unnecessary ad­ ministration. It is not too much to say that with the implementation of ma­ terial management projects, the ARM follows the latest trends in multina­ tional logistics. Namely, the develop­ ment of the function and the system of material management should en­ able a more efficient system of mis­ sion troops supply in near future, so Log.concept/ that the logistic support in many seg­ Operational ments and phases should be a collec­ requirements tion of routine actions and simplified c procedures. Coordination 2 FUNCTION OF THE LOGISTICS SUPPORT SYSTEM This outline (4) presents a possible Coordination variant of occurance of an activ­ Ј4 С4 ity spectrum by the logistics holders Operatinoal which selects and positions the re­ Requirements а sponsibilities in a line of succession. In this respect, the process of mis­ Material management LS- sion planning and Logistics Support Routine procedures LE/ implementation Concept development occurs in the NSP JOC by parallel participation of the LSC in the appropriate preparations Basic Logistics at Home Basic Logistics Abroad of the resources and distribution to the final destination. This possibility allows a rational utilization of troops as it prevents the appearance of con­ flict of authorization and competence sion. The logistic support elements contains a minimal number of rela- tions vertically, which is one of the overlapping, and moreover through directly supporting the combat units the practical unification of the partici­ in the contingent are located in the most important imperatives created by modern logistics in a multinational pants around the main concept it of­ field of conducting operations. fers security in the execution of this COMMAND AND CONTROL environment. Consequently, the op- erational mission command, in this possibility. The outline also provides Having in mind the Logistics Support the final points and ways of current Concept and the existing structure, case the Joint Operational Command (JOC), would be the main holder of the supply in all subsequent phases as a and knowing the provisions of the main precondition for strengthening current regulation in the ARM in this mission and the direct relation with the unit-participant, and the Logistics the operational capabilities and the field, a successful attempt for illus- ability for contingent existence. trating an outline of the command Support Command (LSC) which in its formation has the Logistics Support The physiognomy of the presented and control (C2) relations can be made relations in the strategic transport, between the holder of logistic sup- Battalion (LSBt) and the Supply and Transport Center (STC) would be ca- disembarkment and staging phase port from the aspect of implementa- in the area of responsibility includes tion of the unit operational mission pable of providing direct distribution from the National Support Element, new elements as well, especially at requirements. The conceptual outline the reception, staging and onward

6 ARM GS/G4

Guidelines for the establishment and Establishment and preparation of the Cont Guidelines for the preparation order establishment and 1.MIBg + TC JOC preparation of the Cont Cont+ Support Ј5 Section Catalogue of Element Capabilieis

Operational tasks Guidlines (Logistics) Orders LBt Petrovec Ј4 Section depo LSC STC Log. Concept+ Catalogue of Capabilities

Ongoing Cont Commander Log supply Cont - Contingent NSE

movement. A big role will be played out the logistic support of mission strategic distances. In order to re- by the host nation support entities, units. There will be a need of sugges- spond to these challenges, the logis- as well as the partners and contac- tions for new logistic support func- tics must be an efficient force capable tors from the multinational logistics. tioning models which will probably be of a joint disembarkment and long- The offered models for functioning of based on the fundamental principles term existence without geographical the logistic support are a logical prod- of logistics, the projected strategic limitations. In this respect, by moving uct based on the existing regulation provisions and dynamics and com- the logistics toward the operational in the ARM concepts, rules, guide- plexity of the events in the current readiness the ARM should build an lines and procedures, and the existing security environment. effective logistics support system, formation structure. Numerous ongo- The NATO operations in Afghanistan compatible and interoperable with ing reform processes in the logistics and the Balkans reaffirmed the need NATO, which is an imperative under- and the announced improvements of of establishing modern and capable lined in the strategic determinations the ARM and MoD structure will bring forces, fully deployable, secure and of the Republic of Macedonia. about new challenges and, naturally, interoperable, capable to operate in will have a significant influence on the a full spectrum of conflicts and crises Ljupco Jankulovski relationships in planning and carrying for a long period and on significant

7 AN EXAMPLE OF OF EXAMPLE AN A SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO, MR. BORO VuCHINIC

Minister, would you please tell the readers of „Shtit“, what is the reason behind your visit to the Republic of Macedonia? – Before I answer your question, allow me to greet the readers of «Shtit» and to express my pleasure of having the op- portunity to give an interview for your magazine. I am here with a delegation from the Min- istry of Defence of Montenegro to pay a friendly visit to my colleague and friend, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia, Zoran Konjanovski. Our coop- eration started in 2007, and we have es- tablished a bilateral cooperation plan for 2010, which is a big project defined in our agendas and needs to be implemented in the course of this year. 8 The Republic of Macedonia and the Re- public of Montenegro are a good exam- ple of the successful bilateral coopera- tion on the Balkans. What do you think about the bilateral defence cooperation between the two counties?

– This cooperation is an excellent exam- ple of how the cooperation in the region should be. It shows that two countries with no open questions, two friendly na- tions of both countries with the same democratic values show how cooperation should be conducted, and how the rela- tions between them should be developed. I am really pleased that the cooperation in the defence area between the Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro is conducted in this way. It is our obligation to maintain and constantly enhance this cooperation. During your visit of the Republic of Macedonia you and the Minister of De- fence, Zoran Konjanovski signed a Mem- orandum of cooperation in the defence between the two counties, thus adding a new dimension to the cooperation. What does the Memo­randum of coop- eration project?

– I would like to underline two important things. Due to the fact that we don't have a developed system of military education in Montenegro, we don't have an oppor- tunity to educate our officer corps, our future service personnel in the army. In accordance with the Memorandum of co- operation, in that respect we are planning to use the facilities of the Macedonian Military Academy to educate our officers in the future. On the other hand, we are going to offer training and accommoda- tion to Macedonian pilots at the Regional Training Center for pilots in Podgorica. This year we are expecting the Macedonian pilots as our first participants after which we are expecting the service personnel from the German army. Thus, with these key activities, and a wide range of other activities which we have talked about in the course of today's visit, such as visit- ing the Military Medical Center in Skopje, we are going to continue developing our cooperation. In addition to this delegation, there are three other delegations from Montenegro visiting the Republic of Mace- donia at the same time, which is the best indicator of the scope of our cooperation. We are going to continue and promote our cooperation because your experience is WITH THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO, MR. BORO VuCHINIC very significant for us. Minister, Montenegro and the Re­public of Macedonia are successfully partici- pating in international peace support missions in the world. What do you think about their contribution in that respect? – At today's meeting with your President, Mr. Gjorgje Ivanov, I have congratulated him for the contribution of the Repub- lic of Macedonia to global peace and its participation in peace support missions. You are an excellent example. Macedonia is recognized by the leading countries in the world and by world leaders, especially with the acknowledgement received by the President of the USA recognizing the country as a leading country according to its contribution to international missions compared to its demographic capacity and as a country which provides support to global peace. As it was mentioned at 9 experience in giving military medical care fruitful bilateral cooperation with all coun­ and training medical teams. tries in the region and we have signed Montenegro has deployed a medical team memoranda for cooperation with them. in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan this I think that that is very important, as it year. We are already working on the train- sends a good message about the readi­ ing of the second medical team. I be­lieve ness for cooperation in the region, which that many things can be useful to us. leads to broader integration processes - Our obligations regarding the Euro-Atlan- membership to the EU and NATO. Mon­ tic aspirations have increased now that tenegro rounded up its contri­bution in the we have become a member of the MAP regional initiatives last year, firstly, in the (Membership Action Plan). Macedonia’s A-5 initiative, then in the SEDM (Southeast experience in the implementation of the European Defence Ministerial) process. partnership goals and assignments is very Naturally, we are also presiding in one part important to us and it will help us apply in RACVIAC. When the regional initiatives everything you have done in the extent are in question then we think they are very required for us. During today's meeting at important. We think that the A-5 initiative the Military Academy, which will be attend- is an extremely important mechanism for ed by the young people from our country, achieving a full-fledged membership to and especially at the meeting with Minis- NATO. Therefore, Montenegro considers

the meeting with your President today, the troops are not there to fight, but to create conditions for peace making and to create normal conditions for developing democracy and normal life. Montenegro would really like to follow that direction. Within the frameworks of our capacity, we have already equipped one unit which has already been sent to accomplish its task. In the second half of this year we are go- ing to prepare its rotation. We are send- ing soldiers to the «Atlanta» mission in Somalia to fight against the pirates. We already have soldiers in Liberia, in the UN mission, so we are doing everything we can. On the other hand, we recognize the responsibility which comes out of our mor- al obligation to, I hope, Montenegro’s and Macedonia’s and other countries’ in the

ter Konjanovski, we have touched upon the A-5 initiative as very important and our many areas of cooperation to be consid- country believes that this initiative provides ered in the future. Basically, it is important a significant assistance in our progress to that we are coming from one ambience, achieving a full-fledged membership to the one area, and now were developing well; Alliance. Macedonia had a very important we have no language barriers to make our role in this initiative. At that time, It was communication diffi­cult in the course of an A-3 initiative, and now, with the latest learning your 'lessons learned'. Your expe- enlargement, it has grown into an A-5 initia­ rience is valuable. tive. Moreover, I am very grateful for your support in becoming a member of the A-5 The Republic of Macedonia and Mon­ initiative and the support in attaining mem­ tenegro have similar strategic interests bership in the SEDM process. and that is to become members of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance. According to you, What are your impressions from your region, soon to be, membership in NATO, when do you expect these two coun­ visit to the Republic of Macedonia? and the advantage provided by the collec- tries to become members of the EU and tive defence system. Therefore, if we want NATO? – The visa liberalization is very important. to develop and use this collective defence Macedonia has fulfilled the criteria set by system, we have an obligation to give our – Our strategic interests are membership the European Union, whereas, we have contribution within our powers. to the EU and NATO. We share the same just sent the additional answers to the values in that respect. Regional coopera- questionnaire of the European Commission Minister, how much can the Republic tion is our priority in order to lead us to in Brussels. After becoming a member of of Macedonia with its long years of ex- the accomplishment of these aims. What the MAP at the end of last year, and a few perience help your country successfully Montenegro and the Republic of Macedo- other steps we have taken, I believe that accomplish the tasks assigned by the nia do in that respect is positively recog- we are steadily catching up in the future NATO Membership Action Plan? nized by our partners. I believe that Mace- integration processes. This visit of Skopje, donia will overcome the name issue it has where I had exceptionally useful meetings, – I think that by having good cooperation with its neighbor Greece. Montenegro and the recent visit I had with the Minister you send a good message. Both counties firmly supports Macedonia’s membership of Defence of Serbia, as well as the visit a are ready to cooperate, which is a good to NATO, as we support all countries on few days ago by the Minister of Defence thing. But, when there is an essential co- the Balkans, because we think that is the of Slovenia, demonstrate the readiness of operation, then that is even better. In our only option which brings lasting peace and the countries of this region to cooperate. cooperation both elements of cooperation stability in the region. In this way, we send a clear message that are emphasized. I think that in the essen- we want this region to become an area of tial part of the scope and content of our How do you assess the cooperation peace and stability and development of de­ agenda for cooperation defined for this among the countries from the A-5 mocracy. In that respect, we can take the year I recognize huge benefit for both group? fruitful and successful cooperation in the countries. I have already emphasized your relations between the Republic of Macedo­ rich experience gained through your par- – Montenegro is dedicated to the initia­ nia and Montenegro as a positive example. ticipation in peace support missions, your tives in the region. We have developed Zdravko Rizovski

10 info STRENGTHENING OF THE COOPERATION ontenegrin cadets will be possible way and, as countries the NATO HQ in Skopje, Com­ educated at the Military determined to achieve their Eu- 2 modore Valentin Gagashev and Academy in Skopje, and ro-Atlantic strategic goals, they CHANGE OF THE newly appointed performer of the Macedonian pilots in can provide the best example MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE these two functions, Brigadier a certain stages will be for cooperation in the region. OF NATO IN SKOPJE General David Humar from Slo­ trained in Montenegro”, this “We would like to see Mace- The long-term defence develop­ venia. was agreed at a recent meet­ donia resolve the name issue ment plan and the new ARM Minister Konjanovski expressed ing of the Defence Ministers imposed by Greece as soon as force structure are the priori­ his gratitude to Commodore of both countries, Zoran Kon­ possible, and in this respect, we ties for the next few months, Gagashev for the overall activity janovski and Boro Vuchinic. are expecting the full-fledged for which the advice from the and open com­munication, and The respective ministers also membership to NATO“, said NATO Advisorty Team in Mace­ expressed cer­tainty that the sig­ned a Memorandum of Co­ Minister Vuchinic. donia will be required, stressed same will continue with Briga­ o­peration between Ma­cedonia According to him, it is especially and Montenegro in the de­ important that Montenegro is fence area. moving in its direction to NATO After the meeting Minister in accordance with the Member- Konja­novski noted that more ship Action Plan, and together than 60 percent of the agreed with Macedonia it is contribut- joint activities in the past year ing to peace support missions, have been completed and that emphasizing that they have to by the end of this year it is work and meet their partner- expected that the bilateral co­ ship obligations for joining the operation plans would be fully Alliance. “It's nice to hear that completed. “If the real picture there is a country in the region of the Balkans can be reflected that according to its participa- anywhere, this needs to be in tion to the ISAF mission in Af- our two countries that foster ghanistan is among the top», the Minister of Defence Zoran dier General Humar as well. multi-ethnic democracy and said Minister Vuchinic, adding Konjanovski, after the meet­ The newly appointed Senior Mi­ pave their roads towards a full- that since recently, Montenegro ing with the new and old Se­ litary Representative of NATO fledged Euro-Atlantic integra­ has contributed with more than nior Military Representative of and Commander of the NATO tion, by building re­cognizable 30 soldiers. NATO and Commander of the HQ in Skopje, Brigadier General and re­cognized armies in the Asked when Montenegro ex­ NATO HQ in Skopje. David Humar from Slovenia, an­ NATO alliance”, said, inter alia, pects an invitation for NATO “The NATO Advisory team nouncing the support for the Minister Ko­njanovski. mem­bership, the Minister em- should remain in Macedonia planned process, stressed that According to Minister Vuchinic, phasized that they have to because we still need mutual Macedonia is an excellent part­ the relationship between Ma­ work and meet the partnership communication until the mo­ ner of the Alliance, particularly in cedonia and Montenegro is obligations. “We shall work dedi- ment Macedonia becomes a NATO led operations. based on an honest friendship catedly on our assignments, and full-fledged member of the Alli­ Commodore Gagashev ex­ between the countries. The when our partners consider that ance“, said Minister Konjanovs­ pressed his hope that he will bila­teral cooperation between it is time, we shall be pleased to ki after the meeting with the soon see the Macedonian flag the two countries, according accept it”, stated the Minister of Senior Military Rep­resentative unfurled in the NATO HQ in to him is conducted in the best Defence of Montenegro. of NATO and Commander of Brussels. 11 es, the experiences from partici- for the ARM members were cru- the Minister of the Kosovo Secu­ 3 pation in peacekeeping mi­ssions cial in the successful execution of rity Force, Fehmi Mujota, signed A USEFUL MEETING and the activities of the Army the task in the mine Bucim. a Memorandum of Understand­ “The urban plans should be pre- regarding the im­ple­men­tation of As previous known, on 23 ing between the two ministries pared by 1 Junet, after which the partnership goals as a key factor March, 2010, a team from the as a basis for initiating bilateral property would be assessed in achieving the standards for full- Special Purposes Battalion - the cooperation. and sold, in order to support the fledged mem­bership of the Re- “Wolves“, using special pro­ Minister Mujota, who was wel­ country’s development“, conclud- public of Macedonia to NATO. At cedures in the extremely dan­ comed with civil and military hon­ ed at their meeting the Minister the meeting, the structure of the gerous and difficult conditions, ours, and Minister Konjanovski of Defence, Zoran Konjanovski, Armed Forces of the Republic managed to remove the body an­nounced that the co-operation the Minister of Transport and of Slovenia, the organization of of Vlatko Ilkovski from the old will take place initially in the area Communications, Mile Janakies- logistics, participation, expe­rien­ collection system of the mine of health and joint military exer­ ki, and the mayors of the mu- ces of the Slovene army in inter- “Buchim“. When executing the cises, and committees that will nicipalities in which the projects national missions, as well as the task the “Wolves“ demonstrated define the bilateral cooperation “ARM - My True Home“ and “Old deployment of me­dium infantry their courage and calmness, and plan for 2010 will be established Barracks for New Development - battalion were presented before the high degree of their training on the basis of the memoran­ the Government for the Citizens” the delegation of the Army. and psychophysical readiness to dum. are planned to be implemented. While in Slovenia, General Sto­ perform tasks with a high risk to “We have a sufficient experience The meeting was held on 21 April janovski was welcomed by the human life was especially em- that we feel we can exchange in the Ministry of Defence. President of the Republic of Slo­­ phasized. with our neighbours to help Minister Konjanovski, reminding venia, Danilo Turk, and the Mi­­ build democratic institutions. It that April 21 was the deadline for nister of Defence, Ljubica Jelushic. 6 will also contribute to regional the members of ARM to fill out A VISIT TO di­mensions“, said Minister Konja­ a statement of interest in order 5 THE ARM GARRISONS novski, among other things, after to determine the exact number PUBLICLY EXPRESSED On 15 April, teams from the the meeting. of apartments, said that he ex- GRATITUDE Ministry of Defence visited the The Minister of the Kosovo Se­ pected that the company that On the occasion of the suc­ ARM Garrisons in the Republic curity Force, Fehmi Mujota, as­ will develop and within three cessful action carried out by the of Macedonia, a propos the real- sessed the current security situ­ months complete the necessary members of SOR in the mine ization of the project “ARM – My ation in the region as better than projects will be selected by June “Buchim“ last month, on 16 April True Home”. At the meeting, the ever. “This is just a proof that we 15, in a tender procedure. are a factor of peace and stability “After that, the overall docu­ in the region. Macedonia made mentation should be forwarded the right move for the good of to the Public Enterprise for Hou­ the country and the region in the sing and Business Facilities, after right moment“, said, inter alia, which a tender will be announced Minister Mujota. for the selection of the contrac- tor“, explained Mi­nister Kon- 8 janovski, who expects that the A MEETING ON “ARM – construction of the apartments MY TRUE HOME” would begin in the period from On 14 April 14, in the Army Ho­ November till the end of the year. me in Skopje, the Minister of The “ARM - My True Home“ proj- Defence Zoran Konjanovski and ect is envisaged to be realized the Minister of Transport and in Karposh - Skopje, Kumanovo, in the Special Operations Regi- ARM members were informed Communications Mile Janakieski, Veles, Shtip, Prilep, Kichevo and ment Command in the “Ilinden” about the provisions of the regu- to­gether with the presidents of in Tetovo, while Strumica, Bi- barracks in Skopje, the de­puty lations provided for housing of Chambers of Commerce in Mace­ tola, Debar, Kichevo, Radovish, director of “Buchim“ from Ra- the active military and civilian donia, had a working break­fast Gevgelija and Dojran are among dovish, Mr. Nikolajcho Nikolov, personnel serving in the Army, with representatives of construc­ the municipalities in which the awarded Certificates of Grati- regarding a purchase of an apart- tion companies, to discuss the project “The Old Barracks for tude to this elite ARM unit, as ment as a personal property and launching of activities for the New Development - The Gov- well as to the personnel engaged norms for the construction of implementation of the project ernment for the Citizens“ will be in performing this task. The ad- apartments within the project. „ARM - My True Home.“ realized in the interest of local viser to the Chief of GS of ARM, The team, led by the Minister In the second phase, which economic development. Major General Zoran Lekovski, of Defence Zoran Konjanovski, should be completed within sev­ SOR Commander, Co­lonel Zoran visited garrison Petrovec (Cho- eral days, questionnaires are be­ 4 Dodevski, Com­mander of the jlija) and the “Ilinden” barracks in ing sent to determine the exact ENHANCING THE Special Purposes Battalion, Lieu- Skopje, Deputy Defence Minister number of ARM members who MILITARY COOPERATION tenant Orce Jordev, and mem- Emil Dimitriev visited the garr­ want to buy an apartment under A senior military delegation led bers of the unit that participated isons in Tetovo, Kichevo and the given conditions. By the end by the Chief of General Staff of in the action were also present Ohrid, and the State Secretary at of May the tender for selection the Army, Lieutenant General at the meeting with the deputy the MoD, Peter Esmerov, visited of a con­tractor to do the project Miroslav Stojanovski, recently director of “Buchim“. the garrisons in Kumanovo, Shtip will be announced, after which paid a two-day working visit to At this meeting, Mr. Nikolov did and Veles. the necessary documentation the Army of the Republic of Slo- not hide his admiration for what At the meetings, the Minister, will be provided. venia. the ARM “Wolves” had done, Deputy Minister and State Sec­ The ARM Delegation, which was and expressed gratitude to ARM retary reported that every mem- welcomed with high military and SOR on the behalf of all “Bu- ber of the Army, in accor­dance ho­nours in Ljubljana, was wel­ chim” employees. On this occa- with the intended crite­ria, has comed by Chief of General Staff sion he particularly stressed the equal chances for parti­cipation of the Army of the Republic of courage, determination and pro- in the project. All ARM members Slovenia, Major General Alojz fessionalism that members of greeted the realization of this Steiner. the SOR had demonstrated dur- project, which until now, has ex- The aim of the visit was to re- ing the execution of the extreme- isted only as an unfulfilled prom- view the possibilities for improv- ly complex and difficult task, for ise. ing and expanding the military which the staff of “Buchim” was The agreement was to establish cooperation on a bilateral plan, still impressed. operating bodies at garrison lev- where one of the main topics The Commander of the Special els, which will work on providing was the possibility of using the Purposes Battalion Lieutenant regular information and coordina- Army training area “Krivolak» Colonel Orce Jordev, thanked tion of projects. for the training of the Slovenian them for their visit and the kind Army, as well as for training prior words, and underlined that the 7 to deployment in NATO, EU and high level of training, physical fit- SIGNED MEMORANDUM UN led missions. The two chiefs ness and motivation to help the OF COOPERATION discussed the future steps for citizens of the Republic of Mace- On 14 April, the Minister of the organization of joint exercis- donia, a pledge that is constant Defen­ce Zoran Konjanovski and 12 “It should be completed by 15 fence?”, 52.6% answered posi­ the Army of Macedonia designed June, and by 15 September we tively, 21.7% negatively, and to train chief non-commissioned are expecting the completion 25.7% had no answer. officers from all ARM units as of the projects, after which the Asked: “How do you assess the part of the ARM key personnel whole documentation will be work of the Minister of Defence was held. transferred to the Public Enter­ Zoran Konjanovski?”, 44.2% The aim of the workshop was for prise for Hous­ing and Business answered positively, 27.4% the chief non-commissioned of- Facilities, where the procedure negatively, and 28.4% had no ficers of the Army that perform for selection of con­struction answer. key duties within the Army Gen- companies will start“, said Min­ recently visited by a group of Asked: “How do you assess the eral Staff and subordinate com- ister Konjanovski. Dutch colonels – participants at role of the ARM in peace mis­ mands and units to gain basic “This project”, emphasized Mi­ the Course for Future Top-Man- sions and the representing of knowledge of communication nis­ter Janakieski, “including the agement from the Ministry of the Republic of Macedonia in with the media, both domestic construction of local and re­gional Defence of the Kingdom of the the world?”, 72.6% answered and in the course of the execu- roads, facilities for public institu­ Netherlands. positively, 9.7 negatively, and tion of NATO, EU and the UN tions, airports and other projects In the Macedonian Ministry of 17.7% had no answer. led missions. At the workshop will contribute to making the con­ Defence, the Dutch colonels held participants had the opportunity struction industry to be a bearer separate meetings with Deputy 12 to acquire basic knowledge and of the GDP in Macedonia.” Defence Minister Emil Dimitriev AN ANNUAL MEETING skills regarding speaking in front and Chief of General Staff of the MACEDONIA - NATO of a camera, giving a statement, 9 Army, Lieutenant General Miro- A delegation from the Ministry writing press releases and orga- EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES slav Stojanovski. of Defence led by the Secre­ nizing and conducting a press On 14 and 15 April, a high de­ During the meetings the group of tary of State Peter Esmerov, conference. For the first time the legation of the Armed Forces colonels had the opportunity to attended the regular annual workshop was held only with the (AF) of Bosnia and Herzegovina be briefed on political and military meeting of Macedonia-NATO in ARM chief non-commissioned of- led by the Chief of Joint Staff of aspects of the Euro-Atlantic inte- Brussels, on 26 April. ficers, who, in this way, despite the AF of Bosnia and Herzegov­ gration processes, and activities Representatives from the their basic task of managing non- ina, Lieutenant General Miladin undertaken in this direction in Ministries of Interior, Finance commissioned corps and deliv- Milojchic paid an official visit to the Ministry of Defence and the and Foreign Affairs were also ery of training with professional Macedonia. The delegation was ARM. They also received a short present at the meeting, during soldiers, were able to gain the briefing on the ARM transforma- which the progress of the Re­ knowledge necessary for the im- tion and operations and activities public of Macedonia in achiev­ plementation of NATO standards of the Republic of Macedonia for ing part­nership goals was in the area of public relations, as NATO membership. reviewed. During the meeting one of the most important seg- The study group visited the gar- it was confirmed that the Re­ ments for the successful execu- rison in Ohrid, where they had public of Macedonia fulfils its tion of the mission within their the opportunity of becoming obligations towards NATO, and units. familiar with this unit as part of among the topics of discussion the Second Mechanized Infantry were the political reforms in the 14 Brigade. country. THE ADVANCED NCO COURSE During the stay in our country, “We gave an overview of the WAS COMPLETED the group had meetings in the previous achievements in the On 14 April, at the Centre for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and defence sphere, also we pre­ Individual Training (CIT) as part the Ministry of Interior, with the sented the past achievements of the Training Command, the welcomed in the ARM GS with Parliamentary Committee on of the Republic of Macedonia Advanced Course for Non-Com­ high military honours. The del­ Defence, and part of the NGOs, and the readiness to join NATO, missioned officers (ACNCO) egation was hosted by the Chief i.e. representatives of the Euro- after resolving the name issue ended with an appropriate cer- of GS of the ARM, Lieutenant Atlantic Council. with our southern neighbour emony. General Miroslav Stojanovski. Greece“, said Secretary of The Course started on 20 Feb- During the stay, the Chief of the State Esmerov. ruary, with 37 attendees, who Joint Staff of the AF of Bosnia 11 This meeting is held annually became Course attendants after TEST OF THE PUBLIC OPIN- in the presence of the Mem­ and Herzegovina had a meet­ ION previous selection consisting of ing with Defence Minister Zoran From 2 to 10 April, at the request ber States of the Alliance, and testing and physical screenings. Konjanovski. of the Ministry of Defence, in or- other candidate countries such The concept of professional de- At the meeting, the delegation der to test the public opinion on as Montenegro, Bosnia and velopment of the ARM NCOS from the AF of Bosnia and Her­ issues directly related to defence Herzegovina and Georgia. defines the NCOs as competent zegovina was presented with and NATO integration, the Insti- in­structors with developed lea­ the achieved level of transfor­ tute for Democracy “Societas 13 der­ship characteristics, able to mation and reform in the MoD Civilis“ carried out a poll on the MEDIA – TRAINING successfully lead their subordi- and the Army, the participation public opinion on several current OF THE MAIN NCOs nates in carrying out missions. in missions outside the Republic issues. From 26 to 29 April in the This advanced course is a part of Macedonia and the applica­ Asked: “If a referendum regard- Regional Training Centre for of the contents of the concept tion of the Operational Capabili­ ing the Republic of Macedo- Communications in Skopje, a of professional development of ties Concept of NATO. Among nia’s entry into NATO is to be workshop for media-training of ARM non-commissioned officers. the topics of discussion was held next week, how would you non-commissioned officers of In the past two months, the non- also the enhancement of bilater­ vote?”, 80.2 % from the examin- al cooperation between the two ees answered they would vote armies, and the guests were «in favour of», 10.8 % answered familiarized with the capacities they would vote “against”, and 9 and opportunities for education % answered “I still do not know”, at the Military Academy. “I will not vote”, or had no an- During their visit, the delegation swer at all. from Bosnia and Herzegovina Asked: “Will you agree to change visited the Military Medical Cen­ the name in order to join NATO?”, tre, the Military Academy and 65% answered “No”, 28.1% an- “Krivolak“, where they got ac­ swered “Yes”, and 6.9% had no quainted with the new training answer. Out of the examinees capacities in accordance with that gave a negative answer NATO standards. for changing the name in order to join NATO, 84% are Macedo- 10 nians, 7.1 Albanians, and 8.9 are STUDY TRIP from the other nationalities. As part of the study trip, the Asked: “How do you assess Republic of Macedonia was the work of the Ministry of De- 13 commissioned officers who ­ at celebration of the Drivers Day In the honour of the fallen ARM has achieved quite a good col­ tended the course have gained began with lectures held by members, memorial tournaments laboration with the Association knowledge and leadership skills representatives of the National in football were held in Makedon- of Slovenian Officers (ZSČ), that in the future they will be Council for Traffic Safety, as ska Kamenica and Bunardjik, at which was among the hardest able to use as deputy platoon well as by the Chief of the Di- which members from the Special working lobbyists for the ac­ commanders and command­ vision of Movement and Trans- Operations Regiment, part of other ceptance of ORORM in CIOR. ers of third lines, compatible port within G-4 in the Army ARM units as well as the local citi- In the context of this coopera­ with military standards of NATO General Staff. The competition zens participated. tion, a delegation composed member countries, capable to culminated with a competition of ORORM President, Prof. Dr. undertake all responsibilities as­ between the units’ best driv- 17 Gjorgji Malkovski and a member sociated with future obligations. ers, on the track created by the BELGRADE MARATHON of the Executive Board, Assis­ The two-month training took legend of motor racing in Mace- The 23rd traditional and most fa- tant Professor Dr. Mende Sol­ place in the classroom and trai­ donia, Aleksandar Dimusheski. mous marathon in the Balkans in nuchevski, paid a visit to ZSČ ning sites of CIT, where tactics, The professional soldier Sasho length of 42 kilometres and 195 from 14 to 18 April. techniques and pro­ce­dures of Joleski from the Second Battal- meters, which featured 300 mar- The official stay of the ORORM practical exercises were prac­ ion in Logistics, in the discipline athoners from over 30 countries, delegation in the Republic of tised. “driving DAF”, the professional was held in Berlgrade, Serbia, on Slovenia was, in fact, a return The following staff sergeants soldier Zvonko Mitevski in driv- 18 April. visit to ZSČ - their represen­ were chosen as the best three ing “HUMVEE” and profes- The Army, and a part of the tatives during August 2008 attendees: Esad Ibishi, Ljupcho sional soldier Go­ran Joncheski Macedonian national team, was stayed in the Republic of Mace­ Milanovski and Aco Krstevski, from the Communi­cations represented by Captain Igor Ja- donia as guests of ORORM. who received diplomas, and Company in the discipline “driv- kimovski from the military unit The main purpose of the visit Staff Sergeant Toni Karadjolov, ing HERMELIN” achieved the 8034, Skopje. He has partici- of the Association of Slove­ Sergeant Goce Dimovski and best results. This year’s compe- pated in this marathon for five nian Officers and Non-Com­ Staff Sergeant Darko Jovanovs­ tition was enriched with other consecutive years, but this year missioned Officers was gain­ ki were commended. contents. Namely, teams from was the most successful for him ing new knowledge about the The commander of the cere­ two elementary schools from since he set his personal record activities of ZSČ which could mony, Lieutenant Colonel Trajan­ Kitchevo competed in skilfully with a time of 3 hours, 24 min- be implemented in the work of cho Petrovski, wished the par­ riding bicycles. The stu­dents utes and 28 seconds. In the final ORORM, exchange of experi­ ticipants a successful and high from the elementary school line up this result brought him ences and the enhancing of co­ performance in their training and “Vladimir Polezinoski” showed the solid 36th position, and with operation. on their work positions. the best results. The cherry this success our marathon run- On this occasion, representa­ Slavica Nikolovska of the daily activities was the ner was second in rank from the tives of ORORM talked with the promotional drive of Mr. Dimu- representatives of the Republic President and Secretary of ZSČ, 15 shevski with a sports car on the of Macedonia. Colonel Miha Butara and Janko MARKING THE DRIVERS DAY driving polygon in the barracks Winners of this international Ljubic, and were informed about With the mass introduction of in Kichevo. event by winning the first three the results from the coopera­ motor vehicles in equipping the The competition ended by pro- tion with the MoD and General armies, a need has emerged to claiming the winners. The JOC Staff of the Slovenian Army, have a bigger number of well- Commander, Major General Zoran the structure of ZSČ, activities trained drivers. With the mod­ Dimov, handed the best drivers on the territory of the Republic ernization of the vehicles, the of “DAF” certificates of apprecia- Slovenia and the way in funding. drivers' training becomes even tion; the Mayor of the municipal- At the meeting with the Chief of more important. “Having that ity of Kichevo, Blagoja Despotoski the General Staff, General Ma­ in mind, in the Command of the handed certificates of apprecia- jor Alojz Steiner, the President Second Mechanized Infantry tion to the best drivers of “HER- of ORORM, Prof. Dr. Gjorgji Brigade, we dedicate a special MELIN”, and the Commander of Malkovski, informed him about attention to the training of driv­ the Second Mechanized Infantry the activities and functioning ers“, said Captain Zoran Petro­ Brigade, Colonel Metodija Velich- of ORORM, its international ac­ vski, officer for movement and kovski, handed the certificates of tivities and fruitful collaboration transport in the Brigade’s Com­ appreciation to the best drivers of with ZSČ. mand. Although the profession­ “HUMVEE“. As part of the rich program, al soldiers join the unit with their Mice Koteski several visits were paid to sig­ driver’s test passed, different places were the competitors nificant command and military training methods are still used 16 from Kenya. formations, as well as meetings in order to improve their driving HONORING THE HEROES The next presentation of the Army with holders of senior positions skills. One of the ways to im­ Marking the ninth anniversary athletes will be at the Regional Mili- in the defence of the Republic prove their training and practice of the death of the ARM mem- tary Mountain Running Champion- of Slovenia. It should be noted is, by all means, the competition bers in Vejce, on 28 April del- ships in Dimitrovgrad, Serbia, to be that on this occasion, the Presi­ in skilled driving, organized on egations of the Army laid fresh held in May this year. dent of ZSČ, Miha Butara, pre­ the occasion of 31 March – The flowers at the memorials in the Lj.P. sented the ORORM President, Drivers Day. “Ilinden“ barracks in Skopje, the 18 Prof. Dr. Gjorgji Malkovski with The competition was held in two memorial before the Command From the ORORM Activities a Medallion of the Association, phases. In the first phase the of the for Special Purposes BILATERAL COOPERATION and the Chief of General Staff, drivers from the Brigade com­ Battalion “Wolves“, the memo- In the past several years, the Or- a high recognition of the Slove­ peted in the discipline of skilled rial on the cemetery in the vil- ganization of Reserve Officers nian Army. controlling of the military motor lage of Bunardjik, the memorial of the Republic of Macedonia Zhivko Trajanovski vehicles “DAF“, “HUMVEE” and on the city cemetery in Make- “HERMELIN”. The best ranking donska Kamenica, on the city drivers from the Brigade com­ cemetery “Butel“ in Skopje and peted against soldiers-drivers the city cemetery in Kumanovo. from the other units of the Joint On 28 April, 2001 near the vil- Operational Command. The lage of Vejce, in the Tetovo region, eight members of the security forces of the Republic of Macedonia, four of whom were from the Army, and the remaining four from the MOI, lost their lives. The following ARM members from the Spe- cial Purposes Battalion were killed: Staff Sergeant Robert Petkovski, Sergeant Boban Tra- jkovski, Sergeant Mile Janevski and Sergeant Igor Koteski. 14 TREND OR LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE FUTURE?

MODERNIZATION OF Mi-24 HELICOPTERS “Aleksandar” – part two

n the previous issue of Shtit maga- military systems. The challenge is how complexity, robustness, memory stan- zine we looked at the flexibility and to apply these advances in increasing the dards, as well as data processing abilities. endurance of the original design of combat effectiveness, survivability and Moreover, we save on time, energy and Mi-24 helicopter and the need for its extension of life time and service life of money invested into upgrading different upgrades conditioned by the challenges the helicopters in order to avoid replace- systems of the aircraft. deriving from the contemporary spec- ment sooner than expected. The avionics upgrades are a way of im- trum of operations and the methods of The development of military avionics proving operative abilities of the Hind implementation. For the Hind operator (especially during the last two decades) helicopters. This is very important since countries the most cost – effective solu- resulted in an improved integration of part of the operator countries are already tion for enhancing the operational capaci- the avionics systems. The various dis- NATO members and the rest of them (in- ties of their fleets is the modernization of crete subsystems on board an aircraft cluding the Republic of Macedonia) have the avionics of the existing platforms and evolved to become more and more inter- NATO aspirations. NATO standardization their adaptation to their specific require- dependent and integrated. Furthermore, and interoperability criteria include the ments. the number of separate subsystems has STANAG 4555 concerning the helicopter increased due to the more complex mis- avionics and is a vital condition for par- MILITARY AVIONICS TODAY sions. Faster data processing as well as ticipating in NATO led missions. Modern- The word avionics is a portmanteau word increased data flow between the avion- ization of the existing avionics is one of of “AVIation electrONICS” created for the ics subsystems caused more effective the many criteria for joining the collective first time in the 1930s as a general term integration of the systems. The evolu- security organizations, naturally, there are used to refer to all individual electronic tion of the avionics resulted in overall also other requirements when it comes systems fitted to the aircrafts at that improvement of the performances, types to helicopter operation capabilities such time. The Second World War and the peri- of sensors, functionality, cost, integration, as: appropriate crew training, airframe up- od of the Cold War stimulated the invest- ments in the scientific research and tech- nological development which in turn led to remarkable improvements in the field of avionics installed in the aircrafts avion- ics. Consequently, today 50% of the cost of the modern aircraft falls on the avion- ics and it is considered the main compo- nent of the aircrafts airframe, regardless of the type of the aircraft (fixed wing, rotary wing, UAV or missile). The avionics provides the aircraft with dramatically im- proved attack, defence or reconnaissance mission performance. The rapid development of technology has influenced the development of the 15 grades, fitting hot and high engines, more formation the system can determine the lite/inertial sensor (INS/GPS also known efficient air intake filters, as well as stan- possible future position of the helicopter as EGI- embedded global and inertial) as dardization of the mission preparation based on the aircrafts speed at the mo- well as the doppler system of the helicop- and execution). Again, the quickest way ment. HMD is a system that should be ter (thus gaining greater stability and pre- of meeting these requirements would be the basic component when upgrades are cision). Today’s digital map systems are in modernization of the avionics (another planed because of its information display colour which is useful for determining the option is the purchasing of a new plat- potential and also due to the fact that it position of the helicopter and the encom- form but with appropriate implementa- does not take up too much space in the passing environment by distinguishing tion of a new system which would not cockpit ( this is especially important for the the terrain bellow and above the helicop- prove cost-effective). The technological limited Mi-24 cockpit space). With further ter at the same altitude. These systems breakthroughs of avionics have caused upgrades the HMD potential abilities are have the option to display tactical data a boom in the markets and resulted in improved. Fitting optical and electromag- (advanced digital maps), for example the promoting upgrade packages of avionics netic sensors which follow the markers position of enemy or friendly forces. The system for Mi-24 by companies like “BAE placed on the helmet itself, the system most important feature of this system Systems”, “SAGEM”, “ATE”, “IAI”, “Elbit can determine the pilots head position is of course the display of the locations Systems”, “Russian Avionics” and others. more accurately (determining the line of of the enemy`s air defence units as well sight of the pilots- LOS). This enables the as the areas of operation. This type of UPGRADING THE Mi-24 AVIONICS pilot with a single movement of the head system operating with the help of mul- All the above mentioned companies of- to control the work of the sensors as well tifunctional display (MFTD) needs to pro- fer different upgrading packages, but the as the weapons of the helicopter. If these vide the option for making changes of the most common (and at the same time the possibilities are in combination with the mission during the flight itself. Depend- simplest option) is modifying the platform night vision goggles (NVG), the platform ing on the newly acquired information the for night missions or missions in difficult is enabled with multi-operational combat system should be able to easily apply the weather conditions which provides the potential. This modification of the helicop- new symbols in order to change the path operator countries with improved per- ter gives the aircraft improved abilities for entering or leaving the areas of opera- formances of their Mi-24. Implementing for night operated missions compared tion, and perform new tasks received af- NATO and ICAO compatible navigation to its original model limitations. Further- ter take-off. Other than the mission man- and communication equipment is a crucial more, the combat endurance and safety agement the MFTD can also provide the element for all the NATO oriented coun- of the helicopter is improved due to the option of managing other subsystems of tries. Further and more complex upgrades night conditions. “Elbit” is the company the aircraft (for example, weapon status of the Hind avionics are vital for enabling that has set the standards for HMD and or the radiofrequency list). For presenting this helicopter to be among the most it provides a sensory device that is placed the flight information usually additional efficient aircrafts of its type. However, on the night vision goggles (without any multifunctional displays are being used so these upgrades require larger budgets modifications of the goggles) which gives that the crew can have an overall view of and better preparation on the part of the the pilot all the necessary flight informa- all the elements of the flight. operator in terms of defining the future tion (especially important for night flights). The next step of course would be inte- missions of the Hind. Another possibility for upgrading the at- grating additional sensors in Mi-24. With After implementing the upgrades for tack helicopter is implementing mission the recent development of the electro-op- night and all weather missions, what management systems based on digi- tical devices the attack helicopters today, would be the next logical step? Without tal maps. The basic aim of this system beside their basic aim (attacking enemy doubt it would be increasing the crew’s would be presenting the image of the ground targets), are acquiring additional level of knowledge (the helicopter is a mul- helicopters movement on a digital map tasks - they have become “the eyes and tifunctional platform) and thus prevent with adjustable map scale (depending on ears” of the battlefield. Electro-optical unnecessary risks when operating the he- the specific mission). This system would devices such as the TV-camera (CCD Cam- licopter under attack. This means that the function on the basis of the information era – Charge Coupled Device camera), the pilots need to use the computer gener- provided by a satellite system (GPS), an infrared camera (FLIR–Forward Looking ated data about the specific mission and inertial sensor (INS), or a combined satel- Infrared) and the laser rangefinder, give at the same time fly the helicopter and be able to operate all the systems. One of the possible outcomes of the moderniza- tion is implementing the helmet mounted display – HMD, which helps the pilot dur- ing lower altitudes missions (the most preferable way of operating these attack helicopters because of the IC guided mis- siles). HMD displays all the basic flight pa- rameters like speed, course, altitude, the position of the aircraft, the constant rotor speed (NR) and others. The focus of the pilot is ahead (in order to reduce the strain to the eyes) and another great advantage is that the pilot has all the necessary sym- bols and data in sight which means that there is no need to keep an eye on the in- struments in the cockpit. The display can show warning or danger symbols. For an attack helicopter it is of great importance to have the generated data concerning the weapons and the ability to acquire this information about its specific task via HMD. The most advanced systems can also provide data about the speed vec- tor which is calculated on the basis of the information from the sensors for static and dynamic air pressure as well as the navigation information from the global positioning systems (GPS). Having this in-

16 the modern helicopter stand-off capacity form, Compact Multi Purpose Advanced crew members. since they enable acquiring, identification Stabilized System (COMPASS) which in- The upgrades offer improved helicopter and targeting outside the enemy weap­ corporates a colour TV, infrared camera, weapon systems, and thus securing the ons range of fire (if you take into con­ a laser rangefinder and automatic tracker, day or night use of the machine gun and sideration that the missions are done at interactive with the digital map, the heli- the IC guided missiles with integrated night time, then the stand-off capacity is copter weapon subsystem as well as the weapon calculation and their presenta- a very important factor). Moreover, these HMD) which guarantee the precision and tion on HMD including the individual line devices also make the helicopter the stability of the system. of sight, the copilots line of sight, the main source of tactical information and The upgrades of the Mi-24 Aleksandar he- chosen weapon, as well as the point of thus there is a need for further upgrad­ licopters enable: impact. The weapons are controlled with ing- that is implementing DL – data link, – modern way of presenting the main the help of the HOCAS system, the use so that there is a possibility for receiving and additional flight information to the of HMD and appropriate switches on the and sending acquired information about crew members; command joystick of the electro-optic the enemy elements in various types of – reconnaissance capabilities; platform. operations (helicopter-unmanned aircraft, – modern flight navigation; helicopter- soldier, helicopter- command – modern communication equipment; WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? center and other). In addition, when it – modern radio and navigation equip- Without a doubt we can say that Mi-24 comes to information sharing it is very ment; Aleksandar is an example of the new op- important to pay attention to the securi­ – 24-hour operability; erational capabilities of the Air Force Wing ty element- the need to protect the infor­ – application of one of the most revol­ as well as the Macedonian Army. The po- mation that are being transmitted from utionary examples of the technological tential of this modernization should be the helicopter is more than obvious (yet development of combat helicopters – implemented within the army and in co- another element for upgrading). HMD; operation with the other units, especially The above mentioned upgrades suggest – modern weapon management; the members of the special units. How- that the challenges of modern way of – improved weapon precision. ever, the Wing should continue with the combat demand greater performances Needless to say, that these upgrades development of these capabilities in order and abilities from the helicopters and its greatly improve the operation per­for­ to be ready to respond appropriately to crew. A vast amount of information col­ man­ces of the helicopter. However, we increasing threats and new challenges. lected from the different systems on the should not forget the advantages for the This is why the work on the project “Alek- helicopter should be processed (including crew members, which results from the sandar” should continue as a strategic the information from the weapon sys­ upgrades. We will mention some of the priority of the Wing, concerning the fol- tem, the electronic protection system and others) in order to make it easier for the crew members to make an on–spot decision concerning the specific mission or task. One very important device that enables all this is the mission computer- MC, which represents the hearth of the attack helicopter avionics and it is the main element for appropriate operation. The mission computer should be a device with open architecture (open, modular architecture is a necessary in the field of modern military avionics) and it should use a commercial microprocessor and a software which would enable hardware replacement without disrupting the sys­ tem.

MACEDONIAN UPGARDES OF Mi-24 “Aleksandar” most important: lowing issues: The modifications and upgrades of - Mi – improved level of information about the – finalizing the stand-off capacity of the 24V helicopters, which are part of the tactical surroundings; platform by implementing laser guided Macedonian Air Force Wing, are one of – improved and simplified way of operat- missiles in the armament system; the most complex and integrated up­ ing the aircraft; – standardization of the fleet in order to grades of the Mi-24 avionics on the mar­ – improved cockpit management; prevent the “negative” transfer of the ket today and is a result of the coopera­ – improved crew safety; crew placed in an inconvenient situa- tion between the Israeli company ”Elbit – more efficient performance of the spe- tion to operate two different platforms Systems” and domestic resources (mainly cific tasks. (the original and modernized Hind): human resources). This is confirmed by The night capabilities of the platform are – improving the combat readiness and the fact that this Mi-24V “Aleksandar “ is improved with the implementation of the endurance by integrating the system a unique modernized attack helicopter of HMD which enables the crew to have in for passive protection (MAWS – Mis- its type and Macedonia and the Macedo­ sight the information acquired from the sile Approach Warning System) of the nian Army should be proud of it. systems and scan the surroundings. helicopter; Mi-24 “Aleksandar” has all the above The reconnaissance abilities are real- – implementing data link (DL) for ex- mentioned subsystems (as well as a ized through the electro-optical platform change of information; range of others) among which we should COMPASS which displays the image of – integrating the new “hot and high” en- mention the subsystem hand on stick col­ the target distance as well as laser tar- gine type. lective -HOCAS which gives the crew the geting. The image can be presented in With these additional upgrades the Mi-24 ability to operate with the helicopter sys­ colour multi functional display (CMFD) or “Aleksandar” helicopter would pre­sent a tems, but do not need to take off their with MFTD (touch display), while the line true example of a 21st century combat hand from the command joysticks. Also of sight of COMPASS is indicated on the helicopter and would of course be a re- the system for weapon managing which digital map as well as the HMD. gional leader when it comes to its combat drastically improves the necessary time All the subsystems are integrated, and platform. The project “Aleksandar” has for reaction while targeting and operates the transfer of information is done via the shown that we can transform an older on modern sensors (like EGI which is one 1553B digital databus in order to enable generation platform into a modern heli- of the most advanced of its type and of real time and accurate processing of the copter with great combat potential. course the gyro stability electro optic plat­ new information and their display to the Oliver Ilijevski THE HELICOPTER VAM 303 DESERVED GROUNDING OF ONE OF THE MOST EXPLOITED ARMY AIRCRAFTS ecently at the military part of the “Al- The Air Force of the Republic of Macedo­ Before that, the rich arsenal of aircrafts exander the Great“ airport in Skopje, in nia was constituted by a decision of the (over 40), weapons and MTC was with- the “Strasho Pindzur” barracks, for the President of the Republic of Macedonia on drawn from the airport Petrovec, with the first time in the history of the Mace- April 10, 1992. The ARM AF and AD Com­ exception of a small part of weapons and donian Air Force the helicopter Mi–17 was mand, the Air Force Brigade with aviation, equipment that were kept. Due to the im- solemnly “sent” on a deserved short vaca- transport and combat helicopter squadron posed embargo on Macedonia, Mi-17 heli- tion. To be more precise, on April 1, 2010 where thus established. At that time the copters were purchased as a civilian ver- the helicopter Mi-17 with licence plates training of pilots was carried out on light sion and were initially painted white. Later VAM 303 made a planned flight of the aircrafts such as Utva-75. on, in 1996 this measure was abolished by last 31 minutes of the designated time of On June 28, 1994, the Macedonian Air the Security Council of the UN, and shortly 1000 hours between overhauls. The cer- Force received four transport helicopters after, four helicopters got camouflaged co- emony is worth mentioning because for Mi-17, one of which was the helicopter lours and military markings (VAM, Macedo- the first time since the use of helicopters VAM 303. Since then, the transport and nian Air Force). in the ARM, a transport helicopter spent combat training has been performed on In 2005, in accordance with the Recon- the early flying resource. The last flight of these helicopters. The AF was qualified to struction Program of the Army, the Air the helicopter happened in the presence conduct the transport of people and MTC, Brigade was transformed into a smaller, of ARM and MoD representatives, as well for VIP transportation, fire missions, exer­ more compact unit called WING (short as a large number of officers from the Air cises, for medical evacuation, search and from: Air Force Reconnaissance-Attack WING. rescue and other missions. Group), which started with new challenges 18 Te h hELICOPTER participated in several international exercises and missions such as the program for modernization of Kosovo and the mountain top Ljuboten. aircrafts and taking part in the internation­ – Cooperative Key 2003, Plovdiv, Bul­ During the demarcation of the border, 15 al NATO and EUFOR peace missions. garia; major border pillars as well as 20 smaller – Cooperative Key 2005, Plovdiv, Bul­ ones were set along the mountain range HELICOPTER IDENTITY CARD garia; of Korab and Shar Planina. The helicopter VAM 303 was manu­ – Eagle САР 2005, Airport “Farka”, The helicopter Mi-17, licence plates VAM factured in 1990, and bought by ARM in Albania; 303, is the best example of a “good in- 1994. After the entry into operational – Participation in declared for­ces in vestment” in the helicopter resources. The use, the helicopter VAM 303 within ARM dealing with regional con­flicts members of the Air Force WING showed had flown for approximately 8 years, af­ and crises, i.e. in se­veral rotations that this is the best method to invest in ter which the specified time resource of in the ALTHEA mission, 2006-2008 in the training of pilots and Air Force technical 10 years expired. During that time it had personnel, for supporting the activities of flown for 695 hours, and on July 4, 2002 it Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar JOC/ARM units and other governmental was sent to its first general overhaul with and Sarajevo). and nongovernmental entities and, natu- an unfilled time resource in the overhaul rally, the invested funds of the MoD of the institute Aviakon, Ukraine. hazards to the security of Macedonia that Republic Macedonia fully paid off. The same helicopter, after the completion exceed their abilities and capacities, car- A large number of officers from the Air- of the general overhaul, arrived in Macedo­ rying special cargo (installation of pylons borne WING as well as the higher Com- nia in April 2003. After the first overhaul, and cable railways, transport of contain- mands of the ARM/MOD stand behind the helicopter got an additional resource ers, transport of parts of the commercial the success story of the Mi-17 helicopter, of 1000 flying hours, and an eight years enterprises), delivering assistance to the licence plates VAM 303. I am referring here time resource. From then until April 1, 2010 affected population, participation in activi- to the Air Force technical personnel at all the helicopter had flown 1000 hours, and ties with the Red Cross of the Republic of levels of maintenance of the helicopter, had justified the funding, logistical support Macedonia, with numerous governmental and the pilots with their proper manage- and efforts that the pilots and Air Force and nongovernmental organizations, etc. ment of the helicopter resources in terms technicians from the Air Force WING had In a word, quite a wide range of tasks so of training and tasks in the Air Force WING. placed into it, the best possible way. that resources invested in it have paid off The solemn act of grounding the helicopter more than once. VAM 303 on April 1, 2010 was attended by A SUCCESS STORY The helicopter VAM 303 was the first -he Major General Zoran Dimov, Commander The Mi-17 helicopter, licence plates VAM licopter that was upgraded in 2004 in ac- of the Joint Operational Command of 303, was one of the most exploited air­ cordance with the first stage of moderniza- the Army, Air Force WING Commander, crafts in the Army, with the largest per­ tion (JASMIN). During the mo­dernization, Lieutenant Colonel Kire Kolevski and centage of performed missions, as well as the helicopter was upgraded with the sys- other Command representatives, repre­ the highest percentage of operational ca­ tem for night-time flight ANVIS-Hood 24, sentatives from the Office of the Military pability. It was used to carry out the basic which enabled the use of the helicopter Air Force Authority within the Ministry of mission of the Airborne WING, which is the in night conditions. The first training with Defence, the Commander of Helicopter defence and protection of territorial integ­ the night-time flying system ANVIS-Hood Transport Squadron, Major Slobodan Iva- rity and independence of the Republic of 24 was conducted on the VAM 303 heli- nov (commander of the home unit of the Macedonia in accordance with the Consti­ copter in the period October-November helicopter), and all the members of the tution, the Law on Defence and National 2004. The training was conducted by an Transport Helicopter Squadron. Security and Defence Concept of the Re­ authorized Israeli instructor with the first The honour to perform the last flight with public of Macedonia. pilots-instructors for the night-time flying this helicopter was given to the crew con- The most frequent tasks performed with system ANVIS-Hood 24 in the ARM. Later sisting of: Lieutenant Colonel Kire Kolevski, the helicopter VAM 303 were the follow­ on, on the same helicopter, the additional Lieutenant Colonel Stojko Pejovski and the ing: education, training flights, internal trainings of the ARM pilots regarding the flying-technicians, Staff Sergeant I class cargo (passengers and equipment), exter­ night-time flying system ANVIS-Hood 24 Zlatko Stojanovski and Staff Sergeant I nal cargo, fire ex­tinguishing, control of bor­ continued with instructors from the WING. class Gorancho Trifunov. ders, ro­tation of personnel and transport In the course of June 2008, within three Frankly, part of the audience members of ma­terials to Solunska Glava, search- working days, the demarcation of the bor- was sad to see such a beautiful helicop- and-res­cue-missions, MEDEVAC-missions der between Macedonia and Kosovo was ter go, however, technical and safety pro- (eva­cua­tion of injured ), VIP transport, carried out with the VAM 303 helicopter. cedures required that. We hope that this FAST ROPE with members of the special The flights were carried out by the helicop- helicopter will adorn the sky above Mace- units, participation in numerous exercises ter from Popova Shapka, where the pillars donia again, after the conducted general and preparations for the exercises in our were attached to wire cables and taken to overhaul and its future enabling for further country, support to the Ministry of Interior previously established elevations at the flying, as soon as possible. forces in dealing with threats, risks and junction of the three borders with Albania, Dragan Pavlovski

19 SPACE DEBRIS

THE BIGGEST THREAT FOR SPACE EXPLORATION

PACE DEBRIS: WHAT IS IT? The human race has piled up huge mountains of garbage on Earth but we did not stop there; we have man- aged to create some waste in our planets orbit. At the altitude ranging from hundred to thousand kilometers there is a huge cloud of objects which moves with amazing speed - up to 40.000 km/h. When it comes to the term space debris we have to give a more specific explanation. Space debris or space junk is a collection of objects in the orbit around the Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful pur- pose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages, defunct satel- lites to explosion and collision fragments. The debris also includes parts of rockets and spacecrafts, equipment and tools that were used by the astronauts and objects released due to the impact of micrometeor- oids onto spacecraft. Considering the possible dangers from these impacts several studies and proj- ects were conducted in order to identify and locate these objects in the Earth orbit and thus prevent catastrophic outcomes. Some of them used optical telescopes or short-wavelength radars for more accurate measurement and assessment of the num- ber and size of the objects in space. Other projects used microscopes to study space- crafts that had returned to Earth looking for impacts that had already taken place dur- ing the mission but were not noticed. This proved successful and as a result several holes from debris collision were found on

20 some sections of the American Skylab and ing scenario, attempts were made to limit T s“hERE i something” up there. the Apollo CSMs. The fact that the space the growth of the debris and one particu- However, that “something” debris was the primary source of collisions larly effective solution was implemented is not related to human in space was surprising for the scientists by McDonnell Douglas. This solution was since they happened in the period of the to vent the remaining fuel from the tanks religious beliefs. Recently 1960s and 1970s, the very beginning of of the rocket boosters, which eliminated the orbit around the Earth space exploration. the pressure build-up in the tanks and thus cannot be referred to as prevented their explosion. Other countries, an empty and open space NORAD CATALOG however, were not as quick to adopt this Since the earliest days of the space race, sort of measure because of individual space anymore. On the contrary, the North American Aerospace Defense programs, and the problem continued to this space has become filled Command (NORAD) had maintained a da- grow especially due to a large number of with thousands of object tabase of all known rocket launches and launches in the Soviet Union. orbiting around the Earth the various satellites placed in the orbit. They also kept record about the aerody- KESSLER SYNDROME at various distances. The namic shields that protected these satel- The NASA scientist, Donald Kessler in one collection of objects poses a lites during launching, and the upper stage of his papers in 1978, presented a new threat to our space exploring booster rockets that placed them in the possible scenario – the cascade collision, and space travelling. The orbit. This catalog is known as the Space which was later known as the “Kessler Object Catalog and it was created with the Syndrome”. This syndrome suggests that human race has always launch of Sputnik in 1957. Those who were because of the large number of debris in striven to “conquer” the assigned to maintain this database were the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), there will be space and this has become also aware of a number of other objects constant debris collision, which will result in in orbit, many of which were the result of creating new debris. Consequently, the or- an imperative since the USA on-orbit explosions. Some of these were bit around the Earth will have an increased president, George Bush in deliberately caused as a part of 1960’s anti- debris density that for a long period of time his speech in January, 2004, satellite weapon testing, while others were even launching of satellites into the orbit announced that there will the result of rocket left-over fuel explosion. would become a problem. The first collision Knowing the importance of having a data- known as the ablation cascade will cause be another expedition to the base about these objects, John Gabbard, an explosion and a “cascade” of chain reac- Moon and even exploring the a NORAD employee, took upon himself tion of other explosions (and collision of all space further on to keep a separate catalog of as many of satellites). The effects of these collisions are these objects as he could. Studying the quite dangerous because they can cause a results of these explosions, Gabbard devel- “domino effect” Any impact between two oped a new technique-“Gabbard diagrams” objects of sizeable mass spalls off shrap- (or plots) for predicting the orbital paths of nel debris from the force of collision and if BY Ivan Petrushevski their products, which are widely used to- there is such a collision the outcome could THE BIGGEST THREAT FOR SPACE EXPLORATION day. After NORAD catalog came out, some further studies and measurement with an optical telescope had been done. From these optical measurements it was evi- dent that the published object population in the catalogue was too low, by at least 50% less that the actual number. However, we should mention some important facts about the NORAD catalog. First of all, the database had information for at least the majority of the large objects in the orbit. Secondly, NORAD deliberately eliminated some of the launches and objects (mainly military satellites) due to the fact that at that time they were considered to be mili- tary secrets. One discovery that was par- ticularly disconcerting was that 42% of all cataloged debris was the result of only 19 events, explosions of spent rocket stages, mostly from U.S. Deltas rockets.

DEBRIS GROWTH According to scientific studies, in 1981, there were about 5.000 objects orbiting around be devastating. Their collision could result our planet. Unfortunately, the real number into producing smaller pieces of debris that of objects was much greater. By the late could cause further explosions. 1990s the new Ground-based Electro-Opti- Kessler in another study “Collisional cascad- cal Deep Space Surveillance system quickly ing: The limits of population growth in low found new objects within its resolution and earth orbit” concluded that the problem of the new results had shown that from the debris density could be categorized into majority of 28.000 launched objects, only three regimes. With a low enough density about 8.500 had remained in orbit. By the addition of debris through impacts 2005 this number had been adjusted up- is lower than their rate of decay, and the ward to 13.000 objects, and a 2006 study problem does not become significant. Be- raised this to 19.000. As for the number yond that is a critical density where addi- of satellites, since the launch of Sputnik I, tional debris can quickly upset the system 4 October 1957 until 1 January 2008, 6000 and lead to additional collisions. At a high satellites were launched , of which 400 are enough density the rate of production is orbiting far from the Earth orbit and from greater than decay rates. This worrying the rest 5600 satellites only 800 are still possibility became the new use of the term active. Faced with this potentially worry- “Kessler Syndrome”. 21 orbital planes providing global coverage, and the 15 orbits per day typical of LEO satellites results in frequent approaches be- tween object pairs. Since the sun-synchro- nous orbits are polar, the Polar Regions are common crossing points. One of the ad- vantages of this most frequently used low earth orbit (400 km above Earth) is that the residual air drag causes friction which helps the decay and the process of destruction of the debris. Also, an expansion of the at- mosphere (like the one in the 1990s) leads to an increased air drag to the fragments which results in a shorter orbit life time and lower debris density. Another reason for decrease of debris population in one of the most commonly-used orbits was the rapid reduction in launches by Russia. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GEO? SPACE DEBRIS IN LOWER EARTH RADARS FOR At higher altitudes, where atmospheric drag ORBIT (LEO) TRACKING SPACE DEBRIS is less significant, orbital decay takes much As we mention previously, every satellite, longer. Slight atmospheric drag, lunar per- space probe and manned mission has the turbations, and solar radiation pressure can potential to create space debris. Each piece NASA-LMT gradually bring debris down to lower altitudes of shrapnel has the potential to cause fur- where it decays, but at very high altitudes this ther damage, creating even more space de- TIRA (ESA) can take millennia The problem that is espe- bris. With a large enough collision (such as Goldstone radar cially problematic in the valuable Geostation- one between a space station and a defunct ary Orbit (GEO), concerns the satellites that satellite), the amount of cascading debris Haystack radar often share the same orbital path. Active could be enough to render Low Earth Orbit Cobra Dane phase array radar satellites maintain their station but if they essentially unusable. become inoperable they become a collision The problem in LEO is compounded by the concern. However, one positive thing about fact that there are few “universal orbits” GEO is that rotation of objects (for example, that keep spacecraft in particular rings, as satellites) is much slower than in LEO (the opposed to GEO, a single widely-used orbit. maximum velocity in GEO is 100 m/s). The closest would be the sun-synchronous However, there is one question that trou- orbits that maintain a constant angle be- bles the scientist: Does the data gathered tween the sun and orbital plane. Further- from the monitoring and tracking of the more, LEO satellites are in many different debris present the real situation in GEO? Moreover, the fact that GEO is too distant makes it is difficult to perform accurate measurements of the existing debris espe- cially for objects smaller than 1 metre. It is thought that within these orbits there are still some empty spots or at least ar- eas with lower space debris density. They are called “junk-free zones” and are mostly used by NASA for calculating the trajectory of their space shuttles WAYS OF TRACKING The threats from the space debris have been taken seriously, thus sophisticated systems for effective tracking of these ob- jects in space have been developed. Radar and optical detectors such as lasers are the main tools used for tracking space debris. However, tracking space debris bigger than 1cm is difficult due to the limited abilities of the observatories. One of the most famous observatories for determining space debris was the NASA Orbital Debris Observatory which used 3- meter liquid mirror transit telescope. It was based in New Mexico and it was functioning from 1995 until 2002. When this observatory was closed some of its parts were used for the construction of the 6- meter “Large Zenith Telescope”. De- spite, the frequent monitoring and keeping a catalog database due to their huge num- ber (there are more than 600,000 objects larger than 1 cm in orbit) the majority of de- bris objects remains unobserved. Other sources of knowledge on the actual space debris environment include measure- ment campaigns by the European Space Agency (ESA) with the Space Debris Tele- scope (TIRA). The data gathered during these campaigns updates the space debris database and thus helps the assessment of impact risks caused by these objects. 22 THE MISSION CONTINUES

A REVIEW OF THE LAST VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN

ot only the Persian calendar which is One proof of how risky the mission in Af- es there are also big facilities in Kabul. Most used here, but also the living condi­ ghanistan is is the fact that a similar Turkish of them are used for military purposes, but tions in most of Afghanistan give helicopter crashed on 23 March killing one there are also blocks of flats, a legacy from the impression of 1389. Poor houses soldier. the 70s and the 80s, a period when the made of bricks and mud, shops of The view from the aircraft window is like a country was under Soviet control. exotic food, the biggest buildings are the glance in the past. There are small ground blocks of flats a residue from the Soviet houses surrounded by high fences and HOLDING THE MACEDONIAN FLAG times, similar to the ones Skopje got after dust, which is all around, mixed with water, The helicopter flight from the airport to the the earthquake in 1963, which as a result of is the only available building material. The ISAF HQ lasts for around 10 minutes, the the war seem exactly as if they had been outskirts of Kabul, at least from the air, look delegation led by the Minister of Defense hit by an earthquake. Barricades, barbed like the town Alexander the Great arrived in Mr. Zoran Konjanovski and the Chief of wire and checkpoints could be seen at each 330 BC. The current capital of Afghanistan General Staff Lieutenant General Miroslav one hundred meters. This is Kabul, a city of is older than 3000 years, and it was ruled Stojanovski was welcomed by Macedonian less than two million people, the capital of by many in the course of the centuries. soldiers, standing in line and holding the the country where war has been raging for Many tried to conquer this important stra- Macedonian flag. the last fourteen years. tegic point, the crossroad of commercial If the barbed wire from 1389 is on one side, As you get off the plane you will be faced roads from South and Central Asia. 2010 is definitely on the other side, both in with the dry dusty air, although the city is Nevertheless, apart from the modest hous- terms of the calendar and the conditions. at 1800 m above sea level the climate is almost desert-like. During the day the sun shines mercilessly, the temperature reach­ es 35º C, and at night it could drop below zero. There are frequent winds that lift the dust from the surrounding mountains. Here planes are never delayed due to fog because it’s never foggy, but landing could be delayed because of clouds of thick dust. The airport, built in the 60s, was recently renovated. The biggest part of it is still used for military purposes. During the Tal­ iban regime, as a result of the sanctions, there were no international flights. After a decade-long pause the first foreign com­ mercial plane landed in 2002. Our first rendezvous with Kabul was from the air. Our Turkish friends met us at the airport and took us to the ISAF HQ by he­ licopters. This is the safest part of the city, the center of all events. 23 There are international shops, restaurants, the latest Hollywood films for free. After cafes, cinemas and fitness centers in the presenting the project “ARM – My True military bases. The Macedonian flag, stands Home” and discussing the possibility of together with the flags of 42 coalition buying a flat with the help of the Ministry countries participating in the defense and of Defense, the Minister read the letter rebuilding of Afghanistan. written by the Macedonian Prime Minister. The Cherry Canon could be seen here, in the “Strength and honour are compliments middle of Kabul, as a symbol of the Mace- that have characterized brave men and donian presence and its commitment to women throughout history, those who the mission. are ready to attain the highest ideals for The Macedonian delegation had a meeting common welfare. Strength and honour are with general McChrystal, the Commander your compliments as well. Modern time of ISAF in Afghanistan. He considers our brings many challenges. The struggle of peace officers as an example of profession- mankind and the civilization development alism and exceptional preparedness, and and benefits demand a full support to their contribution to the success of the mis- those who need help, to be humane and sion as priceless. persistent, courageous and ethical. By We didn’t spend a lot of time here… contributing to world peace and stability and to the development of democracy for BROTHERS IN ARMS the Afghan people you are aiming towards Two Turkish helicopters took us back to those civilization goals. This should make gether. I would certainly come here again”, the airport where we left for Bagram on you proud as we in Macedonia are proud said Sgt. Viktor Davodovski. an American military transporter. The flight of you”, said Mr. Konjanovski. “We are celebrating Easter with grill and was beyond comfortable, but it was the The Chief of General Staff spoke very salad together with the Minister and Chief safest and fastest way of travelling. Half highly about the 150 Macedonian peace of GS of ARM. I hardly ever cook even in my an hour later we landed in the town where officers who provide security to the ISAF free time. Everything here is on a very high 79 Macedonian peacekeepers had arrived command. level. Everybody appreciates us and we do couple of weeks ago and were waiting to “Your good behaviour, your good acts the same, said Corporal Bojan Bogoevski. be deployed. confirm the success achieved here in Af- The party wouldn’t have been complete Since it was Easter the Macedonian del- ghanistan. You have demonstrated that without music. Macedonian songs sang in egation was welcomed according to the you have the abilities and the capacity, the middle of Kabul. There was no dancing, Macedonian tradition and customs, with you have demonstrated that you are pro- though, because soldiers are soldiers even dyed eggs. fessionals and I have no doubts you will after working hours, if there are working It was a great pleasure for the Minister to behave like professionals till the very end hours when on a mission in a conflict area. whish all the best to all Macedonians from of the mission”, said the Chief of General “They, as any other human being, need to Afghanistan, in his behalf and on behalf of Staff, Lieutenant General Miroslav Sto- unwind, but not completely relax so as to all the ARM members. janovski, in his address to the peace offi- have impact on conducting their tasks, only “We’ll do our best to proudly carry the cers. to spend their free time doing different ac- Macedonian flag and to justify our role in The Member of Parliament, Vladimir tivities. Our servicemen present Macedonia this mission. Macedonia is a small country Gorcev was in Kabul for the third time, as a by territory, but its role fighting against ter- Head of the Parliamentary Committee for rorism is significant”, said the Minister of Defence and Security. He also had some Defense Mr. Zoran Konjanovski. encouraging words for the Macedonian The Macedonian peace officers stationed peace officers saying that the most impor- in Bagram will serve under the command tant thing is to take care of each other, to of our allies, the Americans, who promised be professional until the end and to come to look after them as if they are their own back to Macedonia safe and sound. brothers. “When an unexpected visitor rings the “I am extremely satisfied that we have doorbells of your homes your fathers, had the opportunity to cooperate with our mothers, wives, daughters or sons might Macedonian brothers for many years in Ver- think he brings them bad news. That’s mont as well as in Macedonia. Last autumn why you have to take care, May God be we spent time together with them in the with you, May your professionalism and most demanding USA Army training cen- training demonstrated every day keep you ter in Louisiana. We carry nice memories of safe. You are all someone’s daughters or those moments. American soldiers are very sons, brothers or sisters, that is way you happy to serve with our Macedonian broth- have to look after each other, be united, ers in this very complex mission”, stated keep together and the Ministry, the Gov- Col. Will Roy, 86th artillery fighting team ernment and the President of the Mace- commander. donian Parliament will support you”, said Vladimir Gorcev. A HOME AWAY FROM HOME After Bagram we went back to Kabul. This EASTER PARTY IN KABUL and ARM in the best possible way here in time we had the opportunity to spend The reason for the Macedonian delegation the camp with honour and dignity, as their more time with 150 Macedonian peace- visiting Kabul was Easter which was cel- responsibility is to maintain the image that keepers living and serving here. ebrated with a party for the peace officers has been built in the past years. This will be “The living conditions are excellent; we have from almost all countries who are fighting an obligation for their successors as well. made friends with people who live here in shoulder to shoulder in the defence and re- We have never doubted the commitment the base. We mostly cooperate with the building of Afghanistan. Macedonian bar- and dedication of our servicemen in accom- Turks, but with others as well. I would re- beque and alcohol free beer were served plishing their duties. Their superiors from turn here to represent Macedonia without at the party, as a precondition for a good the multinational HQ speak very highly any doubt whatsoever, said Sgt. Ivica Smi- party, and a reminder of the responsibility about them and the work that the Mace- levski. of the soldiers to always be up to the task. donian contingent does to protect the There are only four women among them Our hosts presented themselves in yet an- command”, stated the head of GS of ARM, and they have the same obligations. other role, they prepared and served the Lieutenant General Miroslav Stojanovski. “Life in Kabul is a typical military life, but food. Guests from all 42 countries participating in everything is organized according to NATO “I secure the main ISAF HQ, but tonight in the mission in Afghanistan, 42 nations that standards. We behave very professionally”, honour of the Minister and the General I give their contribution to the same goal- de- said Corporal Aleksandra Dimevska. am a Chef. The living conditions here are fense and rebuilding of this country joined We met our peacekeepers in the big cin- excellent, we work together with other sol- in the Easter celebrations. The cooperation ema hall where they have a chance to see diers, we play football, we spend time to- among all of them is not on the same level. 24 “Connected to work, we closely cooperate but I believe that the Afghani people need area of the Afghani police and army training with the USA servicemen, with the German us to help them establish the rule of law is highly appreciated and necessary. as well as the British contingents, as a Brit­ and lead a peaceful life. The Macedonian “It is very important to me what Mr. Wardak ish platoon is under the command of our peace officers give a big contribution to said about enhancing the pace of enforc- company. Our company is part of the Brit­ these efforts honorably and with dignity. ing the capacity of the Afghan Army. This ish armed forces which secure the camp. I haven’t had a chance to see what is go- is crucial for us because two tasks should Personally we are closes to Turks, we have ing on outside the base, but I know that be conducted at the same time in order to the best cooperation with them. We sup­ the NATO-led coalition works on building have success in Afghanistan, I am referring port and help each other and show that the infrastructure; roads and schools. We’ll here to the military and civilian component we are two fraternal nations”, stated Ma­ continue doing this”, said the US Army in building the institutions of the system, jor Blaze Nikolovski, the commander of the Lieutenant Colonel Brad Brazell. above all, the Afghan army and police Macedonian contingent. “It’s our pleasure to be with your Minister whose training is supported by our training Not only Turks speak highly of the Macedo­ of Defense and Chief of GS in this interna- teams”, said Minister Zoran Konjanovski. nian servicemen, but also you can hear the tional environment. Turkey is very satisfied After this meeting we were back to the same from other associates and friends. with the opportunity to cooperate with airport. Our attempt to visit the Macedo- “This is a great party and I would like to your country. This example should be fol- nian medical team in the northern town of thank our Macedonian friends for organiz­ lowed by other nations as well. The Mace- Maymanah failed. After an hour and a half ing this lovely Easter party. We closely co­ donian peace officers are very profes- uncomfortable flight the German military transport aircraft was not able to land. The visibility was only 10 meters due to strong wind and clouds of dust. It took us another hour and a half to get back. TURKISH COFFEE AND A SENCERE FARWEL Our last afternoon was reserved for meet- ing the Turkish representatives who give the highest marks for the Macedonian peace officers. “As a commander of the Regional Com- mand Capitol I would like to stress that any general would like to have a unit as the re- spected Macedonian Minister and Chief of GS have. I personally am proud of that unit, too. I would like to thank you for your visit to the Turkish armed forces and I would like to send the Macedonian people my sincere greetings. I hope our future cooperation will continue”, said General Levent Çolak. The Macedonian delegation was welcomed in the Turkish base with the highest military honours and the traditional Turkish dishes operate with the Macedonian peace sup­ sional, committed and educated and it is and the naturally, a cup of Turkish coffee. porters in securing the ISAF command. a privilege to be able to work with them”, Their commitment in protecting the HQ is stated Col Ali Varlet from Turkey. THE CONTRUBUTION CONTINUES… crucial. I have nothing but positive experi­ The priority for Macedonia and the allies in ence working with Macedonian service­ INSIGHT KABUL Afghanistan is the stability of the country men”, said German Col. Georg Hannen. We had the first insight of Kabul the sec- and the training of the Afghan police and “As a commander of the HQ security forces ond day of our stay there. Although the army. This is the effort which is appreciated I can say that I am very satisfied with their security has been improved in the past by the local authorities. professionalism, they do whatever it takes few years we were not permitted to walk Besides the Macedonian servicemen a lot to secure the life of 2000 soldiers and civil­ around the city. We were able to see how of Macedonian workers live and work in Af- ians who live and work in this base. They people live there from the windows of an ghanistan. There are more than 200 Mace- are all professional soldiers and it is a real APC Harmelin with a Macedonian flag on donians in the American base Phoenix. pleasure to work with them, I respect them them. “The working conditions are excellent, we and their contribution to what we are try­ It is compulsory for anybody who leaves live in a bihat, but everything is great. We ing to do for the Afghan people. We are the base to have an interpreter, so our Af- feel safe in the base, I have been here for exposed to attack more than ever. The en­ ghani interpreter told us that there are still five years and so far I haven’t had a single emy is not happy with our presence here, parts of Kabul where people don’t have problem”, said Aneta Nikolovska. drinking water. The same goes for the Macedonians, regardless of whether they electricity, a large part of the houses do are soldiers or civilians, are among the na- not have electricity at all, and those who tions that are respected and loved by the are connected to the grid have numerous colleagues from other countries and at the defects and blackouts. The streets are same time by the locals as well. Even some crowded with pedestrians, carts, sellers, of the shop assistants in the base have cars and trucks even domestic animals. learned a few Macedonian words. Even here we could notice crowded bill- Our servicemen have been here since boards mostly in English, aimed for the 2002. Our contribution started with two of- foreign workers and soldiers whose num- ficers, and now there are 242 soldiers train- ber here is really ample. The signs of the ing the Afghan police and army and helping local shops are written in one of the two the county’s defense and reconstruction. official languages of Afghanistan, Dari and Our national delegation left very satisfied Pashto. with the meetings they had and even more with the praises they heard on behalf of MACEDONIAN HELP the Macedonian peace officers. Their - big After a half an hour drive we arrived for the gest satisfaction was that all Macedonian meeting with the first man in the Afghani servicemen were left in good health and Ministry of Defense, Abdul Wardak. We with a strong will to continue to represent were welcomed with the highest military Macedonia in the best way possible. honours. In our host’s opinion, Macedo- nia’s help and support, especially in the Nikola Krstik 25 EXERCISE MACEDONIAN FLASH 06

A DEMONSTRATED HIGH DEGREE OF READINESS AND TRAINING

he Military exercise “Macedonian ational Capabilities Concept, which is used Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Military Po- Flash - 6” was held in the period from in evaluating of the real possibilities for lice, Engineering Company and NBC Com- 13 to 23 April 2010, in the Jane San- deploying units in NATO-led international pany, Helicopter Detachment of the Air danski military barracks, in Shtip and peace support missions. Force WING, logistics and other elements the military training area “Penush”. One of the objectives of this exercise is for combat-service support. Many people “Macedonian Flash - 6” is a live military ex- the evaluation of the readiness level of the were involved in the command, including ercise with boots on the ground in order to Declared Mechanized Infantry Company personnel from the General Staff of ARM, reach its objective which was, supporting as part of the First Mechanized Infantry JOC, Logistics Command, Training Com- the conducting of the 18th multinational Brigade to conduct different operations in mand, First Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Evaluation Course OCC Level 1 (ОСС Е&F peacetime and crises. The Declared Mech- Air Force Wing, Military Police Battalion, – Operational Capabilities Concept Evalu- anized Infantry Company is preparing to and the NBC Company. ation & Feedback). During the evaluation, be deployed as a regular rotation contin- The exercise was preceded by careful the attendees of the course evaluated the gent of the peacekeeping mission “ISAF” preparation and planning. The planning declared units while they demonstrated in Afghanistan sometime in July 2010. process was realized according to NATO conducting peace support operations by About 400 people took part in the exer- standards in compliance with Planning Di- following standard operational procedures cise including servicemen from the First rective 75-3 Bi-SC. This process consisted of NATO and in accordance with the Oper- Mechanized Infantry Battalion, of the First of: Initial, Main Planning and Final Coordi- native conference. The planning Confer- ences were held in the “Jane Sandanski” military barracks in Shtip. Two workshops were conducted between the two plan- ning conferences by the key personnel in charge of complete completion of the planning process. In addition to the representatives from the ARM, other representatives from NATO member-countries, i.e. members of the committee for the 18 course for evalua- tion according to the OCC Level 1 from the Allied NATO Forces Command led by the Colonel Andrej Razhenko, were involved in the preparations for the exercise. All documents were written in English in compliance with the Planning Directive 75-3 Bi SC; Furthermore, English was the official working language for all par- ticipants during the planning process of the exercise. At the end of the exercise, 26 when the planning process was finished, land was constituted as a country with tachment, Military Police, Engineers and the following documents were completed: a centralized government with limited NBC units. According to the scenario, EXSPEC - exercise specifications, EX- authority on the both of the provinces’ Macedonian units will execute the mission PLAN - exercise plan, OPLAN - operations councils. The state interests of the prov- BOGDFOR in the wider area of region “Pe- plan, OPORD - operational orders, MEL/ ince of Mida increased from 1995 to 2007. nush”. MIL - Main list of the events and incidents, The central government was not strong The Exercise Director was the Chief of CIMIC - project plans, initial press confer­ enough to resist the activities of Mida. The C-3/7 from the First Mechanized Infantry ence and exercise briefing. Party for Liberation of Mida was founded Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Sasho Janev, The military exercise “Flash- 6” was based in July 2008 as a result of nationalism in and the Chief of the Exercise Headquar- on a fictional scenario which is a good Mida and Casurians’ dissatisfaction the ters was Lieutenant Colonel Zlatko Rado- foundation for reaching the aims of the state policy. Casurian minority gave re- jchic. exercise. It was conducted in 4 phases: sistance in order to get one centralized The main groups of the exercise which suc- – first phase: individual and collective prep­ government. The leader of the Casurian cessfully coordinated all initiated activities, arations; “Party for Unity” requested the uniting the bloodstream of the exercise “Mace- – second phase: exercise planning; of Bogaland without provinces. The ten- donian Flash – 6” were: EXCON–Exercise – third phase: conducting of the exercise; sion between the Casurian and Midan’s command, organization and realization – fourth phase: evaluation and feedback. nationalists was growing especially in the center, EXCEN– Exercise center, in charge The “Macedonian Flash - 6” exercise sce­ county of Dragoevo. The crisis started of the whole organization of all planned nario was solely designed for conducting this exercise. It was invented without an intention to represent any current or po­ tential world affair, nor a planned affair. A modified map of the Republic of Macedo­ nia and its neighbors was used in the sce­ nario. Furthermore, real toponyms of the Republic of Macedonia were used in the scenario.

FICTIONAL SCENARIO According to the exercise scenario, all events happened in a fictional country Bogaland, which borders Eastland in the east, Southland in the south, Westland in the west, and Northland in the north. Bo­ galand is divided into two provinces: Cas­ uria and Mida, and their citizens are two nationalities called Casurians and Midans. With the new constitution in 1995, Boga­

when crossing of the administrative bor- activities of the Land Forces and Air Force, der was denied to the Casurian leader, led by Major Borche Stojanovski and HI- when he wanted to visit a church in Shtip. CON – a cell in a role of a Brigade Com- The Leader organized a peace march in mand which performed command and the vicinity of the administrative border on control functions in accordance with the the 15 October. The ‘Party for Unity” held received orders by EXCEN and sending demonstrations along the administrative them to the subordinate commands and border on the 1 November 2009, when units of the exercise “Macedonian Flash three protesters were killed. The violence – 6” under its command. HICON was led escalated in the central-eastern part of by Lieutenant Colonel Marjan Simonovski. the province Mida. The UNHCR announced ACC was Air Force Company Command that 150 people have disappeared and which realized all initiated events and inci- they are presumed to have been killed. dents directed by EXCEN on the exercise This marks the beginning of the armed “Macedonian Flash – 6” and it was located conflict with the Security Forces of Boga- in Petrovec. land. While the armed conflict between the regular Security forces of Bogaland NATO-MULTINATIONAL EVALUATOR and the armed groups of Mida was esca- TRAINING COURSE lating, there was ethnic cleansing mainly The 18th Multinational Evaluator Training in the central part of the country. Due to course in accordance with the OCC – Op- the armed conflict, a large number of dis- erational Capability Concept Level 1, was placed people, i.e. civilians, were forced to held within the frameworks of the military leave their dwellings and to live in refugee exercise “Macedonian Flash – 6” from 9 to camps or to seek asylum in the neighbor- 23 April 2010. ing countries. The training course for OCC – evaluators Level 1 was organized by NATO with the MISSION “BOGDFOR” support of Macedonian Ministry of De- Bogaland authorities requested help from fense and ARM, and the activities were the UN for resolving the conflict. UN Secu- carried out by the First Mechanized Infan- rity Council held a meeting and brought a try Brigade. resolution approving a peacekeeping mis- The leading team or ETC 18 Staff, for prep- sion for resolving this armed conflict. The aration of the necessary conditions and approved mission, called BOGDFOR, was support of the OCC-course realization con- led by NATO and Partnership for Peace sisted of: Course Director, Evaluator Team (PfP) countries would take part in it. Director, 6 team leaders, and 3 Evaluation Macedonia took part in the BOGDFOR specialists from the Joint Forces Com- peacekeeping mission with one Mecha- mand of NATO, service personnel for ad- nized Infantry Battalion, a Helicopter de- ministrative support from the Macedonian 27 military barracks in Shtip. The exercise was officially opened by the First Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Dimche Petkovski. In his speech in front of the participants of the exercise, he emphasized that they are expected to reaffirm their success on this extremely significant military exercise which derives from their skilled training, professionalism, and gained experience by participating in NATO - led missions. Brigadier General Petrovski also said that the military exer- cise: “Macedonian Flash - 6” was a good opportunity to evaluate the operational ca- pabilities of the First Mechanized Infantry Brigade and their real abilities to success- fully serve in the upcoming ISAF mission in Afghanistan in July 2010. General Petro- vski recommended that the servicemen should do their best in fulfilling their every day duties, disregarding the pressure that they are observed and evaluated. “Leave the evaluation to the evaluators because good results come from good work”, said Brigadier General Dimche Petrovski. Lieutenant Colonel Sasho Janev in his speech said that the military exercise “Macedonian Flash - 6” was an excel- lent opportunity to present and affirm the readiness of the ARM in conducting a practical form of training in compliance with NATO standards, in front of 10 armies from NATO and PfP countries. The Course Director of the 18th Training Evaluator Course in accordance with OCC Level 1, Lieutenant Colonel Roy Tweeter expressed his satisfaction with the current course of the exercise, sincerely wishing it continues in order to be successfully com- pleted. Ministry of Defense and the Army of the Course with 14 participants and 3 evalua- INTER-OPERABILITY CHECKED Republic of Macedonia. tion instructors. . According to the exercise plan, the course Lieutenant Colonel Roy Tweeter was ОСС Е&F – Operational Capabilities Con- participants did a formal NATO evaluation Course Director of the 18th Evaluator Train- cept Evaluation & Feedback – is a NATO Level 1 in the training area of the military ing course in accordance with the OCC tool for evaluating PfP countries and their barracks in Shtip, from 20 to 22 April, – Operational Capability Concept Level 1, declared units in the OCC NATO group of 2010. The aim of this evaluation was to and Andrei Rizhenko was Evaluator Team forces. The OCC program consists of two check the interoperability of the units in ac- Director, both of whom are representa- levels of evaluation, Level 1 and 2. cordance with the OCC – Operational Ca- tives of the NATO Supreme Headquarters ARM started with activities within OCC in pability Concept. The units were evaluated Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE MCD). 2006. It all started with preparation and in 10 situations and 35 incidents during the The 18th Evaluator Training course in ac- conducting of the evaluation which is of evaluating process. They were evaluated cordance with the OCC – Operational Ca- national responsibility, as well as providing in the following situations: work on receiv- pability Concept Level 1 was held within support to NATO led evaluations. ing and issuing operational orders, setting the preparation phase for the military Ex- In order to implement the evaluation in ac- a mobile and fixed control point, secur- ercise “Macedonian Flash -6” from 13 to cordance with the OCC program, a certain ing a base, working on observation post, 18 of April, 2010, in the “Jane Sandanski” number of evaluators is needed; therefore, deploying quick reaction forces by air and military barracks in Shtip. The ETC 18 Staff in May 2008, during the military exercise deploying quick reaction forces by land, had working meetings with “Macedonian “Macedonian Flash - 6” a National Evalua- search and rescue coordinated operations, Flash - 6 Staff, and they familiarized them- tor Training course was held in compliance securing and escorting a convoy. selves with the exercise area “Penush”, a with OCC program Level 1. Furthermore, This was the beginning of the 18th Evalu- place where the exercise took place. They in the military exercise “Macedonian Flash ator Training Course in accordance with also learned about the climate, local in- - 6” in October 2008, the 14th Evaluator the OCC – Operational Capability Concept habitants, and organization of protection Training course was held in accordance Level 1, used by the NATO Alliance for eval- forces, exercise scenario, the main event with OCC Level 1. Service personnel from uating operational capabilities, interoper- list and the main incident list. They met ARM and representatives from 24 PfP ability, as well as practical implementation the troops which were evaluated as well and NATO countries participated in that of NATO standards in the training of the as saw the places and areas which were course with a total of 70 participants. declared units while preparing for interna- planned to be used as ground for exercise By organizing and realizing the OCC - tional peacekeeping missions. evaluation. courses provide an opportunity offered When dealing with the designated situ- The aim of the 18th Evaluator Training to train a big number of OCC - evaluators ations in practice, the units used NATO course was training of evaluators in accor- from PfP countries as well as NATO coun- standard operational procedures which dance with the OCC – Operational Capa- tries by implementing the OCC E&F meth- are determined for these kinds of situa- bility Concept Level. Despite Macedonian odology. tions. The NATO evaluating teams moni- Army Service Personnel, 10 Partnership tored their work at all times. for Peace countries (PfP), together with CURRENT SUCCESS CONFIRMED The evaluation was done according to the 22 NATO participants participated in the On the 19 April 2010, after deploying the List of situations and the List of incidents Evaluator Training course. The Army of the units, the military exercise “Macedonian in different place and at different time. All Republic of Macedonia took part in the Flash - 6” was officially opened in the planned combat operations and peace-

28 keeping operations were conducted ac­ were taken for a sightseeing tour in Shtip tinuous media coverage of the exercise in cording to the lists. The units’ high level of and Ohrid. order to be transparent. PCI also prepared combat readiness and capabilities of the and organized a reception of the state participants to face the challenges of an CONTINUOUS AND TIMELY and local media who visited the exercise. international peacekeeping mission were INFORMATION The center made a plan for media cover- clearly demonstrated. A Public Information Center was created age according to the dynamics of the ex- The declared units of the ARM used the with a basic aim to provide the public with ercise activities, conducting briefings and experience they have gained by participat­ continuous and timely information about other activities with the media, in order to ing in international military exercises and the activities and the importance of the present the aims and content of the exer- international peacekeeping missions when military exercise “Macedonian Flash – 6”. cise. It also followed, processed, analyzed dealing with the designated situations and The Chief of the Public Information Center and evaluated the information connected incidents. was the spokesperson of the ARM Gener- to the exercise which was announced or The process of evaluation Level 1 of the al Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Mirche Gjogos- published in the media. It analyzed the in- units in the military exercise “Macedo­ ki. In compliance with the exercise plan fluence it had on the exercise participants, nian Flash – 6” and the 18th Multinational and set NATO procedures concerning the on the ARM. The PIC issued a bulletin with Evaluator Training Course ended in the conducting of an exercise of this kind, the information about the exercise which was morning of the 23 April, 2010, when the Public Information Center was completely distributed among the participants of the exercise leaders’ team issued the last frag­ subordinate to the Exercise Director. PIC exercise. The Public Information Center mental order. When NATO evaluation Level 1 and Mili­ tary exercise “Macedonian Flash – 6” fin­ ished, the participants were awarded a certificate and an emblem for completed evaluator course according to the OCC E&F program. The participants can use this certificate in their careers in order to be evaluators to other units of NATO and PfP armies, declared in the NATO pool of forces. The evaluation was done according to the List of situations and the List of inci­ dents in different place and at different time. All planned combat operations and peacekeeping operations were conducted by the participant – evaluators of the 18th Evaluator Training Course from 10 armies of NATO and PfP countries organized in six teams. Using the evaluation Level 1 in the military exercise “Macedonian Flash – 6”, is the best way to demonstrate the capability of the units to execute practical forms of training according to NATO stan­ was a professional team in use of the Ex- was situated in the operational center in dards to Macedonian and international ercise Director in order to plan and orga- the military barracks “Jane Sandanski” in community. Two servicemen from the nize the process of informing of the public Shtip. armies of the PfP countries were observ­ and service personnel of the ARM about The military exercise “Macedonian Flash ers at the military exercise “Macedonian the exercise, as well as to document the – 6” was successfully completed on the Flash -6”. exercise activities. In order to inform the 23 April, 2010. The participants of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia exercise demonstrated a high level of HUMANITY IN ACTION about the affirmation of the ARM and the interoperability and skills in conducting In order to get civilian support in the exer­ level of training of its service personnel, activities and procedures when accom- cise activities, representatives of the civil­ the Public Information Center implement- plishing peacekeeping missions. This was ian institutions were contacted before the ed the proactive policy of informing. All another chance to demonstrate the readi- beginning of the exercise. A CIMIC project information, announcements and photos ness and capability of ARM for admission was completed during the military exercise from the military exercise “Macedonian in the Euro-Atlantic Defense Institutions “Macedonian Flash -6”. The project was a Flash – 6” are displayed on the official web- to the Macedonian and the international humanitarian action for donating food to page of Ministry of Defense of Republic of community. the Children’s Special Institution for edu­ Macedonia. During the military exercise cation and rehabilitation “ISKRA” in Shtip, “Macedonian Flash – 6” PIC provided con- Zoran Janakievski where children, from Shtip and neighbor­ ing municipalities, with special needs stay and go to school. By completing the CIMIC project, the par­ ticipants of the exercise proved their hu­ manity in action and demonstrated their readiness to help Macedonian citizens in need, which is one of the important seg­ ments of their mission. Within the exercise, the White Cell func­ tioned as a coordinator of the exercise activities and representatives of the civil­ ian institutions which were involved in the exercise. During the exercise, the exercise lead­ ing team and the participants of the 18th Evaluator Training Course in accordance with OCC Level 1 were welcomed, accom­ modated and escorted. In coordination with the CIMIC cell, the representatives of the armies from NATO and PFP countries

29 STATIONARY CAMPING

WITH THE ARM ARTILLERISTS

30 rom 06 until 15 April the Self-Pro- Colonel Metodija Velichkovski, representa- pelled Howitzer Artillery Battalion tives of the General Staff of ARM and bat- (SHAB) under the command of Lieu- talion commanderss from the Brigades. tenant Colonel Zarko Risteski con- This live artillery shooting with competitive ducted stationary camping at the training character will become a tradition of JOC area “Krivolak”. A number of educational and will be conducted every year, and the and exercise activities were conducted by unit that will be declared the best twice the Command and the Battalion units. consecutively will keep the flag perma- From 06 till 08 April there was an artillery nently. seminar organized by the GS of ARM with support of SHAB, with officers from all the PROGRAM ARTILERY SHOOTING ARM artillery units. The goal of the semi- Along with these activities, SHAB also nar was to promote the new artillery rules: realized their planned tactical exercises in Artillery rule for shooting and a Manual for the framework of which the combat bat- firing positions. teries of the unit conducted live artillery A number of artillery officers from the -op program shooting. eration units, as from the Military Acad- On 11 April the artillery platoon BM21 emy were involved in the creation of these “GRAD” conducted live ammunition shoot- rules, who in a short period of time have ing with field gun 76 mm B1 applying all managed to create quality rules using spe- the possible ways of preparations of the cialized literature from the modern NATO initial elements and adjustments while armies. conducting indirect live artillery shooting. During the seminar several artillery live On 13 April 1-st SHAB conducted program shooting exercises were conducted by the shooting number 20 with 120 mm howit- First Howitzer Battery from the Artillery zer applying the ATLAS system in full, and Battalion and by one Mortar Battery from the results were outstanding. The battal- the Second Mechanized Infantry Brigade ion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Zarko where the new rules were applied. Risteski evaluated it with grade “above standard”. “IN COMBAT” TO WIN THE FLAG On 14 April the artillery platoon BM21 On 09 and 10 April tactical exercises were “GRAD conducted tactical exercise and conducted with live artillery shooting by conducted program shooting number 20 the artillery units from the Joint Operation- with 128 mm multiple rocket launcher. al Command. Four mortar batteries from They demonstrated a high level of practice the First and Second MIB, and the First and training, and the teams of forward Howitzer Battery from SHAB participated observers and the fire directing center in these shooting exercises. demonstrated amazing speed and skill in The shooting was evaluated by the JOC adjusting and evaluating the target ele- Commander, Major General Zoran Dimov ments. This activity was also evaluated with its own board whose members were by the battalion commander, Lieutenant the Commander of SHAB, Lieutenant Colonel Zarko Risteski with grade “above Colonel Zarko Risteski and the firing sup- standard”. port officer from JOC, Major Mate Zura. Although during the carrying out of all ac- The artillery units achieved outstanding tivities of the 10-day stationary camping score, and the best score had the mortar the unit was faced with certain logistics battery from the Second Battalion of the difficulties, yet, with great efforts of the First MIB. The commander of the best unit unit members, they managed to remove was presented with the flag by the JOC all technical and vehicle malfunctions on Deputy Commander, Brigadier General the spot and complete all the assign- Kiro Galazovski in front of all of the artil- ments as planned and on time. lery units. At the end of the analysis of these ac- The shooting was attended by the Deputy tivities made by the commander and the Chief of GS of ARM, Major General Naser command of the unit a great satisfaction Sejdini, the JOC Commander, Brigadier was expressed on the successful camping General Kiro Galazovski, the Commander and they concluded that this unit can and of First MIB, Brigadier General Dimce must achieve even better results in the BY Goran Risteski Petrovski, the Commander of Second MIB, future.

31 DAY OF ECOLOGICAL VICTORY Action “Day of the Tree” - Plant Your Future”

he action “Day of the Tree”- the Republic of Macedonia is an ex- young trees were planted, 80, 30,000 saplings of evergreen trees Plant Your Future” which had ample of realization of this ecologi- 000 of white pine and 20,000 of at five locations in areas of Sko­ a Balkan character was orga- cal action not only in the Balkans, cypress. We had a joint initiative to- pje, Kumanovo, Shtip, Veles and nized for the fifth time on 30 but also wider, stated, “It is a great day and a good collaboration with Sveti Nikole. Traditionally, the army March. The citizens planted pleasure for me to participate in the Mayor of Pustec, the Republic planted the greatest part of the about 7.5 million saplings at about this action. This action is very popu- of Albania. We would like this ac- planned number of saplings. “The a hundred locations all over the lar in the Republic of Macedonia. tion to become international, to Army of the Republic of Macedo­ country. This year, for the first time, we, the spread not only to Albania, but nia has always given and will give a On the day of the action, the Min- Macedonians who live in the Re- also to other countries as well in contribution in enriching the green ister of Defense, Mr. Zoran Kon- public of Albania are the promoters order to make the Balkans greener fund of our country”, said LTC Mirce janovski, visited the area of Resen of the action in our country. This is and more beautiful for living for the Gjorgoski, the spokesperson of the where together with the Mayor of the first time in the municipality of next generations” General Staff of the ARM. Apart Resen, Mr. Mihail Volkanovski and Pustec and in the Republic of Alba- In this year’s action “Day of the from Macedonia, decorative, de­ the Mayor of Pustec, the Republic nia that such a thing takes place, Tree”-Plant Your Future”, in the ciduous and evergreen trees were of Albania, in the place “Slivnica” all the citizens-residents of our mu- boundary region between Resen, planted at the boundaries by the “planted their future” along with nicipality to go out massively in an the Republic of Macedonia and members of the Border Police and young Macedonians from neigh- organized way, the entire adminis- Mala Prespa, the Republic of Al- the Customs Managements in the boring Albania. tration along with the pupils and bania thirty pupils from both coun- Republic of Macedonia and the “Today’s action which is support- their teachers. This is a good sign tries participated for the first time neighboring countries. ed by the Mayors of Resen and that this action will be spread to and in a symbolic way with a mutu- Elizabeta Tashkovska Pustec, R.Albania, in a way means other municipalities in our country. al tree planting (ours in Albania and a holiday for the Republic of Mace- This action is more than necessary Macedonians from neighboring donia. This action was started five in the Republic of Albania because Albania in our country), along with years ago and today it is already our forests are more damaged the citizens from both countries, becoming a nation-wide holiday- than the forests in the Republic of they planted their future. a day of ecological victory, when Macedonia”. The Deputy Minister of Defense, all of us are involved with the aim Stressing the pleasure from the Mr. Emil Dimitriev participated in of planting our future. It is really a successful realization of the ac- the forestation of the municipal- pleasure to see how children from tion, the Mayor of Resen, Mr.Mihail ity of Probishtip in the area called the neighboring municipalities of Volkanovski, said, “The response “Zad Kostomar”, and the State both neighboring countries are of the Resen citizens for today’s Secretary in the Ministry of De- planting their future together. All action is great. Traditionally, ev- fense, Mr. Petar Esmerov planted of us will feel the benefit from this ery year there is forestation of a tree in the location called “Korija action in fifteen years when these the bare terrain in the area of the nad Vodna Skala”. planted trees will give the oxygen municipality. We have supported which is necessary for our lives”, these actions for years and we will ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION OF said the Minister of Defense, Mr. support them in the future with an THE ARM MEMBERS Zoran Konjanovski. aim to make Prespa even more In the action “Day of the Tree”- The Mayor of municipality of Pus­ beautiful. In this action, at the two Plant Your Future”, 250 ARM sol- tec, the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ed- locations, the village of Slivnica and diers participated actively from mond Temelko, pointing out that the village of Ljubojno 100,000 five ARM garrisons who planted 32 T H E A R M Y IN SERVICE OF SERVICE IN JUSTICE

FROM THE PEACEKEEPER’S JOURNAL

he execution of activities by the execution of every given assignment. er, although I don’t know if that is typical Army of Republic of Macedonia in In this issue, those attributes can be for twins. After we graduated from high international missions in all parts related with the work of our Predrag school we both enrolled at the Faculty of the world is one of its basic mis- and Darko Kocovski, twin brothers that of Law in Skopje at the same time, and sions. We have presented the rocky proudly represented the Macedonian we also graduated with the same last and insecure terrain of the Middle East sun in the “ALTHEA” mission in Bosnia exam”, he began explaining. In analogy Afghanistan, the far Iraq, culturally differ- and Herzegovina. from what we hear, we assume that the ent Lebanon and near Bosnia, where our service in our Army for both of them has teams, among other things, take care of ALWAYS TOGETHER begun at the same time. Of course, our what is most sacred for any human be- Following the established bon ton, ad­ assumption was entirely true. “After the ing – its health. And, the fact that has vantage is given to the seniors. Thus, we studies we waited for one year being un­ been constantly mentioned throughout will first interview the five minute older employed, and then we saw the public all our issues is the opinion of the foreign Captain Predrag Kocovski. We asked ad for enlisting officers in the service of officers about our peacekeepers that Captain Kocovski if his life path is always ARM and we applied. A week before the has been always described as pure and merged with the one of his brother. “We course started, we began serving our instantly recognizable professionalism, have been together almost always and mandatory conscript service, because full dedication and loyalty, and absolute everywhere. We go everywhere togeth­ after the graduation there was no ex­

33 cuse to prolong that. We started responsible. We are still in charge in the Reserve Officers School of that place”, explained Captain in Skopje in the military barracks Predrag. “Goce Delcev”, and as I said, after Having into consideration that he a week, our mandatory conscript was replaced by his twin brother, service was terminated and we we asked him if there were there started with the Officers Course any interesting experiences re- for the service in ARM. We lated to it. “There are a lot of in- were actually part of the course teresting things that happened. members, studying for the legal Especially interesting is when I service. Several months after notified my superiors in the com- finishing the course we started mand that I will be replaced by to work, appointed to G-1 of GS my brother in the next rotation, of ARM”, Captain Predrag Ko- and even more interesting when covski told us about their begin- they found out that he is my twin nings, speaking at the same time brother. We were joking that no about his brother, Darko. Cap- one will be shocked because the tain Darko Kocovski also had replacement is more or less like something to add: “My brother 1. CAPTAIN me. At the actual duty transfer already said everything that PREDRAG at which all members of the com- was happening before serving in KOCHOVSKI mand and the headquarters of Army of Republic of Macedonia. EUFOR were present, the com- We both started serving in 2004 2. CAPTAIN mander, member of the Italian with a Lieutenant rank, because DARKO army, said: “Here comes one the laws were different then, and KOCHOVSKI more from the Kocovski clan, in July 2007 we were both pro- who is the same as the one leav- 3. MEDAL moted to Captains. In that period AWARDING ing, so it wouldn’t come as a big we were only separated when CEREMONY AT shock to us because we will not he left for a mission in Bosnia, THE ALTHEA HQ be visually surprised. and then half a year more while IN BOSNIA AND Captain Darko continued: “It was I was there, that means that we HERZEGOVINA interesting during the duty trans- were separated a year and a half, fer. I remember that once, the EU- not counting the week when we 4. PAYING FOR deputy commandant Gener- were together for duty transfer TRIBUTE TO THE al Carrasco, who was a part of the and vacation”. MACEDONIAN Spanish Army, met us together in PEACE OFFICERS SERVING IN the command and was stunned. THE ROAD TO “ALTHEA” ALTHEA KILLED My brother presented me as his About his work experience in command of the “ALTHEA” mis- IN THE HELICOP- successor, and he replied – “you ARM, Captain Predrag explained sion. The rotation for my position TER ACCIDENT are the same!” My brother ex- that he has been part of almost there was one year, but our legal plained that I am his twin brother, every department in G-1 of the duties stated that one rotation is and the General asked who will General Staff of ARM. “I can say six months, so I stayed two ro- come after me, and I replied that that so far in G-1 in of GS I have tations. My position was under we have another twin brother at worked in almost every depart- the command of the Austrian home waiting his turn. However, ment, thus most of the work unit, and beside this position, while I was there two command- done from professional nature ARM has one headquarter duty ers rotated, the first was from and personal management in for a noncommissioned officer the Spanish army, and the sec- the GS is familiar to me. I have as a medical administrator. Of ond from the Italian army, Gen- worked as an officer for profes- course, it is well known that we eral Major Stefano Castagnotto, sional qualification and progress have another medical team there who was in charge of the EUFOR in G-1, in the country and abroad, that as a logistic support of the when I left”. then as an officer for personal entire personnel in the “Butmir” management for noncommis- base, as well as the personnel IMPRESSION FROM BOSNIA sioned officers, after that some that is found at the moment in Nevertheless, their greatest im- time also in the personal man- the zone for which our team is pression from the one-year, that agement for officers, and at the moment I am working as an offi- cer for legal matters in the Legal Department within G-1. Here, in the Legal department in G-1, to- gether with my brother, we have been for almost six months”. Regarding the involvement in the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, “ALTHEA”, Captain Predrag was the first one to be a part of it. He left for Bosnia in 2008, while his brother a year later. “I was the first to go in mission in Bosnia in June 2008 and I stayed there for two rota- tions, until June 2009, when I returned back. The position I had there was a legal advisor in the 34 is, the six month period in mission, was the work we do. With respect to wheth­ aware, the cases in question are urgent the way everyone involved in the mission er we can use that experience from the cases, emergencies, like for example, a dealt with their work. “It is important to mission, I can say that we cannot when legal analysis that the commander needs say is that we have our maximum efforts it comes to our everyday job as lawyers. as soon as possible because based on in doing our job professionally because Nevertheless we can contribute by intro­ that analysis he should reach a certain there we are working 24/7, and when- ducing the contingents to the way the decision in the area of mission respon- ever necessary we were engaged in any missions function, especially regarding sibilities, which is of great importance. activity from the field of responsibility of the mission in Bosnia, so that they can What we did there as a contingent was the Legal Advisor and the Office of the easily fit in that system. After all, it is a and still is highly appreciated”, his broth- Legal Advisor. It was interesting that we system that has its own rules and regu­ er, Captain Predrag added. met a lot of people and different charac- lations and knowing them makes the ters, so I can conclude that while I was work easier for those who are part of THE CONNECTION OF THE TWINS - a part of that mission, that one year, we that system”, underlined Captain Darko. MYTH OR TRUTH? worked with professionals, who did their “We are willing to share all of the knowl­ Since we had identical twins in front of with the utmost professionalism. It was edge that we have gained or will gain us, we had to ask if all those myths we evident that the members of the ARM as part of the legal service, and by do­ have heard about twins and their psychic contingent had reached that level, they ing that we want to contribute to the connection were true. On that, Predrag even stood our according to their level development of the entire Army, espe­ said: “Well, there are stereotypes and of professionalism in comparison to the speculations that the twins can commu- others”, explained Captain Predrag. nicate when separated, that one feels His brother, Captain Darko Kocovski, who what the other is feeling. I can say that was part of the “ALTHEA” mission on the that is not the case with us. Anyway, we same position from June until December are preoccupied with work, our day flies 2009, shares this opinion. “My brother by. While I was in Bosnia, I returned sev- was right about what was going on in eral times from the mission, I had a va- Sarajevo while we were on the mission. cation, and I returned between rotations We think alike, I feel the same way about (due to some procedural issues), so time the professionalism we found in Sara- goes by so fast that I didn’t even feel the jevo. I have a lot of positive feelings, in absence, as if I wasn’t separated from general, about the entire situation there. my brother, with whom I have been all of It is very interesting that all the officers my life”, said Predrag. respect you regardless of whether they But in their personal life, the connec- are generals or captains. As long as you tion is evident. Namely, they are family do your job professionally, they are open men, with wives. They got married on and accept your criticism and, of course, the same day. They both have daughters they appreciate your work. Moreover, I only three months apart, for which they would like to explain, that people who say that they “missed”. worked in the HQ came different parts The Army of the Republic of Macedonia of Europe, and there were even people has members that are fully dedicated to from Chile, although they weren’t part cially through the experiences gained their improvement. An example of this of the EU command, they all had great in mission, working for multinational are the Kocovski brothers who are cur- personalities and they were excellent at forces. However, I have to distinguish rently studying for their masters. “We their work”, Captain Darko added. the work done here in the legal service definitely see our career development in and the work there as a legal adviser. the legal service in the ARM. At the mo- PRICELESS EXPERIENCE There we face different legislation in the ment we are studying for our masters Each contribution of the ARM members area of peace and humanitarian law and studies and we finish those responsibili- in some of the international missions is the armed conflict law, and at the same ties regularly and on time as well, in addi- a big experience for them, and for the time the interpretation of the local laws tion to the work-related obligations, and Army of Republic of Macedonia as a of the country which is in the area of re­ we do not neglect them on account of whole. We asked our interviewees to sponsibility of the mission. An alleviating our studies”, Captain Predrag said. give us their opinion on that. “Regarding circumstance for us was the fact that Our interviewees in this issue are an ex- the experiences from the mission, I can we know the local language and that cellent example demonstrating that the say that they are priceless to us as an enabled us to contribute in the interpre­ ARM has professionals, people that are army that is not an EU or NATO member. tation of the legal regulations that had utterly committed to their service in all I must point out that they make no dif- a big influence in the mission itself. That its elements. ference about that and simply appreciate was appreciated by everyone. As you are Zdravko Rizovski/Ivan Petrushevski 35 BOMB DEACTIVATION

ANTI-DIVERSIONARY PROTECTION

echnical protection refers to anti- that are being protected. Anti-diversion- the shape of a rectangular bulb. Then a diversionary protection which is ary protection is achieved through appli- fuse bomb was made. In the 50s it was achieved through application of cation of technical assets, methods, mea- no longer used because the heat and the technical assets for complete pro- sures and procedures for the purpose of blast set off the devices. They invented tection of facilities significant for defence detecting planted sabotage devices and devices called dinosaurs, with handles of the country and for the lives of the mili- dangerous substances and their deac- which activated the packages. New water tary and other persons. tivation and neutralization. The assets cannons – destroyers appeared, and then Facilities significant for defence of the used in detecting and destroying explo- even newer cannons with lasers that use country (hereinafter: facilities) refer to the sive devices can be x-ray devices, explo- clay in place of water, which are especially facilities determined by a separate article sives detectors, robots, water cannons used for opening the big packages. of the Rulebook for basic criteria for de- and other. Water cannons are intended to open the termining military and other facilities of packages, i.e. to deactivate the device. If significant meaning for the defence of WATER CANNON the battery is found, it is shot at to be the country and compulsory measures During WWII the Germans dropped all destroyed and that action deactivates for their protection. kinds of bombs at the British. To this the device. The water cannon can throw Technical protection is а composite part effect the British formed units respon- 100 to 600 liters of water per second; the of securing facilities and people and it sible for the non-activated grenades and faster it throws water the better it is for is achieved through the application of bombs, so they started using a disarm- opening the package. If it operates on various variable systems which repre- ing device. They put 50 fits of explosive; nitroglycerin, it will activate the device in sent combinations of different mechani- at the front they put a piece of metal in 900 – 1000 fits per second. cal, electro-mechanical, electronic, opto- Appropriate estimates must be made to electronic and chemical assets and their decide on the power of the shot at the components, built-in or set up for timely package. If it is a cardboard box we shoot detection and preventing the endanger- with small jets of water, and if it is a met- ment of facilities and people’s lives. al box we should shoot with stronger jets The models and number of the technical (but this can set off the device). When it is assets that comprise the system depend a container and we register the source of on importance, application, type and loca- energy with the help of an x-ray, we aim tion being protected and which is deter- at the battery and destroy it. If we do not mined by a project for each facility sepa- know what is inside, but we have an x-ray rately, and the responsible officer decides device, it will help us to aim at the source on the application and realization. of energy and not hit the explosive, but Anti-diversionary protection is organized if there is a time-device (timer) we set for the purpose of detecting and pre- up the cannon, withdraw and activate it. venting sabotage of military facilities and When we do not know what is inside, but property and of people’s lives, as well as we suspect that the device operates on for determining the functionality of the nitroglycerine, we aim at the centre. devices and installations in the facilities There are devices that have been made in 36 the past, for example, 3-inch pipes tached to a detonating fuse and which serve as charges for water to a slow-burning fuse cap and cannons with antifreeze, they look activated to open. like a bullet, they are disposable, When dealing with letter-bombs found in small and big sizes, and we should have in mind the set- they reach the speed of 300 mps ting of the height of the detonat- and are activated by a button. ing fuse in accordance with the let- There are smaller and bigger car­ ter. When the fuse activates, the tridges with gunpowder charges. letters also activate. With 80 inches charge water can For a metal box a piece of booster be thrown out at the speed of 300 is used, placed through the stron- mps. gest part of the detonating fuse, the slow-burning fuse is lit and ac- LETTER-BOMBS tivated to open the box. When dealing with letter-bombs For a so-called pipe bomb a metal we take the destroyer, the letter is plate is taken along with Styro- kept in a lying position and at a dis­ foam (polystyrene) and placed at tance of 1 cm; one inch is shot (2, the end of the pipe, empty space 5 m/s) to open just one side. The is left in the Styrofoam for the cap cannon’s pipe should always be 1. ROBOT the cable and tear it which causes with the slow-burning fuse, and it aimed at the target, and one must WITH WATER the contact to be interrupted, is activated to open the pipe on never stand behind it since there CANNON but interruption in the connec- one side. tion can happen with those that are returning waves. In its proxim­ 2. X-RAY DEVICE The pipe can also be opened if on ity, behind it there should be only are remotely–controlled if the one end we wind the detonating one person but it is obligatory for signal with the robot is lost, so it fuse which is fastened with a self- that person to be sheltered. In will not be able to return and fin- adhesive tape and a slow-burning case the device displaces or falls, ish the task. Robots can perform fuse cap is added and it is activat- it should be opened remotely, to many tasks. The more cameras ed to open the pipe. check whether the battery has are placed on the robot the bet- fallen. If the battery is lowered, ter, but it is the best to have one OPENING OF A PACKAGE it is lifted and set, the button is person in control of the robot. It BARE-HANDED pressed, and it is checked with a can pick up very heavy objects, but This is the most dangerous way knife and observed whether the ar­ this also depends on the weight of opening a package although row will move. of the robot. Heavier robots pick there were instances in Korea and First, x-raying is performed, the up heavier objects. When the big Spain when the operator – tech- x-ray device is set opposite the robot of 300 kg is used, camera 2 nician disposed the explosive de- device, then the tape, with a pre­ is used, which is positioned in the vice bare-handed. However, the viously set roll of film, is placed direction of the robot’s movement. package should first be x-rayed to at a distance of 1 m, impulses are This robot is called “pointer” and it check whether the explosive de- adjusted according to the device also has tracks. Water cannon can vice has a fuse which could react (for example, for a cardboard box also be installed on the robot. The to shock, i.e. movement, and if it is it is adjusted to 15 impulses), it is small robot has wheels. determined that it is not that type photographed, after that the tape it can be touched by hands. is given for development, the roll ACCESS TO THE EXPLOSIVES The package is fastened with ny- is taken out, the position of the If we have access to the explosive lon self-adhesive tape in order to battery is located, the package is device then we can open it in sev- be tight, it is slowly soaked in wa- marked and taken outside to the eral ways. If we have commercial ter on the sides and then slowly place of destruction. Then, the explosive, using the devices we the paper is torn to make a certain cannon is prepared, the 300 m/s have we will set off the explosive. opening. The paper next to the cartridge (bullet) is placed in the Terrorists usually use plastic explo- opening is removed by the aid of pipe, the lid is turned from above, sive which is quite insensitive. water. When the paper is removed water is filled and it is closed with The box is surrounded with а deto- white self-adhesive tape is placed a rubber plug (which is packed to­ nating fuse, a detonating cap with over the opening to make it tighter gether with the cartridge), the pipe slow-burning fuse is placed at the and not allow it to widen. A spe- is placed on a tripod stand and it end, it is tightened with self-adhe- cial scalpel is used to cut the alu- is carried to the device, it is aimed sive tape to keep the detonating minum and cardboard box layer by at the device (the battery), the fuse at the ends of the box. Then layer. If only x-ray is used with the wires of the cannon are attached the detonating cap is activated to package, we will be able to see the and then we withdraw, and with open the upper lid and part of the batteries, the fuses, the explosive, a remote control device, which is box to be able to see what is in- cups and wires ending nowhere, connected to the wires, we check 3. AND 4. side. but we would not be able to see the potentiometer by pressing the Opening an Cardboard with detonating fuse the aluminum paper (foil) which black button, then the red button, explosive is placed on the upper part of is the extension of the wires and which is held (pressed) while the device with the case, it is fastened with self- serves as a conductor. Thus, be- water adhesive tape, the slow-burning other switch is pulled, at first back­ cannon side the obligatory x-ray, in some wards, after that forwards and the fuse with the cap is added and it instances we have to do part of water cannon is activated. is activated to open the upper part the job by hands. If it is a plastic Where can the robot be applied of the case. box, openings are carefully made after the purchase, since they are The detonating double fuse is on the sides but, assuring that the slow and extremely heavy, and placed close to the dial of the case, mixture does not drip on the wires. also limited by their weight al­ it is fastened with self-adhesive If it is a wooden box it is cut on the though there are robots with dif­ tape and the detonating cap with edges or if it is a metal box it is cut ferent weights (for example, 70 slow-burning fuse is placed on the with a hacksaw and light is placed kg and 300 kg). There are cable– end and it is activated to open the on one side to be able to observe controlled robots and there are upper part. the inside content from the other remotely–controlled robots, but On the upper part of the briefcase, side. when using those with a cable, next to the numbers, two detonat- the robot might get tangled up in ing caps are placed; they are at- Radoje Stojcheski 37 THE INFLUENCE OF THE MILITARY GEOGRAPHY ON OPERATIONS – II ON THE TERRAIN, WEATHER CONDITIONS…

OUNTAIN TERRAIN AND THE The mountain terrain affects the operations, The regrouping of the forces after the front INFLUENCE ON OPERATIONS especially in the use of the armored, mecha- is very difficult, often impossible. The initial The mountain terrain distinguishes nized and artillery missile structures. The ac- grouping has determinative meaning on the greatly from the steep glens and val- tion is directed on small amount of roads, operation outcome. The reserves are in prin- leys in vast areas. The weather con- passable ridges, valleys and hills, which are ciple stronger and organized in groups. The ditions can also significantly vary in one more or less separated from each other. activity of the primary forces is often in the smaller area. The mountain terrain can also Movement and gathering of the units is valleys, in length and through the ridges. To include urban areas and valleys between made difficult, as well as the progress and speed up the activity and transfer the com- mountain ridges, hills, and the mountains grouping for combat. Thus, in the time es- bat zone, the forces will often be brought in themselves. timated for gathering and progress of the from the rear. Which are important military characteristics units, the following elements are also taken The success of the mountain operations is in the mountain areas? into consideration: the distance of the units usually achieved by units which have gained The big differences in the terrain height pro- from the area, the type of the unit, the prop- control on the main terrain as are the moun- vide excellent positions for observing or can erties of the ground and the number and tains and the ridges, valleys, canyons and fully conceal great land fields. advantages of the directions. roads. Some of these will have a canalizing The structure of the terrain usually has one In the course of the operation the units will effect and can be controlled by units located characteristic look with road and railway net- conduct combat activities on greater dis- on high ground that dominate above them. work that follows the flow of the rivers and tances, separated courses, individually and Therefore, the battle for the mountain peaks other watercourses. This has great influence with a deeper combat establishment, usu- will be the main factor that governs the on the maneuver since most of the forces ally with no direct fire connection. course of the operation in mountain environ- will be forced to act in accordance with the structure (appearance) of the ground. The road network will be limited and the movement through the woodlands, val- leys and through other topographic char- acteristics in the higher areas will often be extremely difficult or impossible. A lot of mountain areas are afforested, especially the lower valleys. The mountain terrain limits the use and reduces the action effects of the modern combat technique. Due to the impassability away from the roads, the lack of farmland and water, it is usually poorly populated, thus making the operation complicated. Combat actions, specially hostile, are channeled on the routes, valleys and mostly in the course of the mountain rivers, with little possibilities for interaction among the forces oriented to other directions. Maneuver preparation, es- pecially hostile, is made very difficult. 38 ment. Due to the restricted mobility of the rating and canalizing the attack units. Those During winter, the units set up in the hous- ground vehicles, the use of helicopters is of areas are suitable for the troops deployed es, huts, and in improvised shelters which vital importance for reconnaissance, resup- in defense or in operation delay. Typically, brings out the need to deploy bigger forces plying products and evacuation. the operation will be a series of isolated ac- to secure and take other precautions to pre- Infiltration in enemy lines and in its background tivities of smaller units. Sustaining the cohe- vent surprises. When possible, the positions is used on the mountain ground. The defence sion will be very expensive for the troops, so should be at places that are protected from is in divided resistance points of smaller the commanders may have to accept empty cold, wind and blizzard. Precautions should groups that enables, (especially nighttime), to areas that will not be covered. Due to the be made so that the military forces do not penetrate the resistance points of the enemy excellent operation camouflage, there is a freeze, and there should always be drinks background, and thus, using the attack of the bigger possibility for getting out of the wing and warm food. main forces of the front, to destroy the enemy positions, for infiltration and ambush, and It is necessary to take precautions to pre- defense system from within. smaller units can also have influence in the serve the combat and physical readiness of operation as compared to the size of the the units and the functioning of the weap- SPECIFICS OF THE OPERATIONS IN forces. ons, acquisition devices, vehicles and other AFFORESTED AREAS technical assets. The tempo of the operations in forests is SPECIFICS OF THE OPERATIONS IN It is necessary to organize frequent changes significantly slowed down. The observation SEVERE COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS of the combat plan, warming and resting of zones and those protected by fire support The operative setting and the influence of the units, to provide places shielded from are limited and thus the battles are often the meteorological phenomenon and the cold, strong winds and snowstorms for the conducted with short range weapons. The weather as an atmospheric phenomenon positions and the areas when possible, to trees provide camouflage thus increasing of conducting operations in severe cold provide warm food and drink for the people, the possibility for surprise. Also, the problem weather in winter can seriously influence winter oil for the vehicles and weapons, of commanding and control is increased on the preparation, organization and conduct coolant, chains and other winter equipment, every level that is further worsened by the of the operations. protection of the aiming devices, surveil- reduction of radio signals. This can call for Winter has great influence because of the lance devices and so on. decentralization of command and increase snow, ice, cold and the length of the day. It is necessary to have frequent changes of of the signals. Low temperatures and heavy snowfall have the units on duty and to organize resting The forests reduce the effectiveness of fire multiple affects on the performance of the and warming of the people. power. Because of observation problems people and the machinery, making it very dif- The command and headquarters must pay and determination of objective, the long ficult and slowing it down, and often making more attention on raising the conscious- range weapons lose a lot of its advantages. the movement impossible. ness of the officers and the units and on The weapons that the soldiers can carry The planning is characterized by the in- the knowledge that even the most difficult are extremely significant and when the ob- creased weather norms, more complex assignments can be carried out successfully jectives come into sight, it is crucial to act preparations, increased use of the material if they have proper preparations and if the fast and accordingly. The high trajectory of and technical means, intensive following of people are trained to act in these conditions. the mortars makes them suitable for opera- the weather conditions, more complex situ- The units that act in severe cold weather ation assessment and logistic support plan- ning. Because of the limited movement possibil- ity, more time is needed to prepare the op- erations. The winter slows down the prog- ress and grouping, and the maneuver and regrouping is made more complicated. For that reason, above all, demands are be- ing made on the command and the head- quarters to take more care in preserving the forces and the combat readiness of the units and for qualification in the use of the weapon and the technical assets. In winter time activities one has to take into consider- ation the danger of freezing, snow blindness and fast exhaustion of the people since the days are short, which means that the time for night time activities increases. Low temperatures, snow and strong winds exhaust people, especially while being a long time in an open space. As a consequence there is freezing, snow blindness and disori- entation due to seeming changes of the ter- rain. The low temperatures have a negative effect on the combat assets, especially on the automatic equipment and systems, mo- tor vehicles, electronics and power sources, tions in afforested areas because they can and because of the cooling of the materials, conditions should be able to lead all types be used from any small open field. the parts often tend to wear out and break. of operations effectively in which they have The effectiveness of the conventional highly The shooting precision is smaller due to in- received extensive and appropriate training, explosive ammunition against the unpro- accurate estimate of the distance, and the but it should be known that execution of tected people is increased by the effect of effect of the grenades and mines is reduced those operations will be extremely difficult. spattering into fragments and with the ex- in the snow. The most important aspect for the opera- plosions in the tree branches. Very low temperatures (below -20°C) affect tions in severe cold weather conditions is The restricted vision has a psychological ef- the psychophysical condition of the combat that the unit must be able to live and sur- fect on the troops deployed in forests op- units and reduce their working and combat vive in that environment if they want to be erations for a longer period of time. abilities. The colds can turn into epidemic, effective in the battle against the enemy. To There will be very little opportunities for which in certain conditions can take out en- the highest extent, the success will depend massive use of the armored forces. Depend- tire units from battle, while the frostbites on the appropriate training and equipment. ing on the size of the trees, their arrange- can leave permanent damage. The operations in cold weather demand ment and the terrain, the armored vehicles As a result of the difficult supplying, the more support units in sustaining the opera- can penetrate out of the established routes units fill their ammunition supply and other tive ability. The operations are usually carried although this will be slow. A larger number means above the usual norm, and the back- out by smaller units and the organization of of the troops are necessary for defense and ground units position themselves closer to the assignments should be set before the attack but they should not be in vehicles, the position of the other elements of the beginning of the activity. It will be difficult to which is most often the usual situation. battle arrangement, in less populated areas, make adjustments during the operation. The afforested areas have an effect of sepa- forests etc. Gjorgji Bojadziev/Kemo Gjozo 39 COMPANY

education COMMANDER PILOT COURSE military

CURRENTLY AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY

ilitary Academy is a high educational training and executing the basic tactical Control of knowledge and grading of the institution which educates candidates exercises and drilling out the basic tacti- attendees was performed through moni- not only for the ARM needs, but also cal units at company level; toring the activities during teaching, moni- for Crisis Management Center (CMC) – developing leadership capabilities and toring their engagement in the practically and the Directorate for Protection and capabilities to make fast and quality de- applied part of the teaching and through a Rescue. The Military Academy is an associ- cisions in response to the set mission check of separate subject materials. After ate member of the University “Goce Delcev” goals; graduating from the course, the attendees in Stip and it works in compliance with to – enabling the attendees for military deci- were given certificates. the European Credit Transfer-system. In ad- sion making, developing the capability of The realization of the course for compa- dition to the education of the staff for the finding real answers and making the right ny commanders of services and logistic defense needs, there are professional oc- decisions as an answer to the contempo- specialties was entirely in accordance cupation courses for ARM officers. One of rary challenges of the battle field; with the activities of the commands and these courses is the pilot course for com- – developing the capabilities of adminis- the units within ARM, regarding provision pany commanders of services and logistic trative-technical management with the of professional military help, instructions, specialties of ARM which were realized dur- approved resources; securing locations (ranges, firing ranges, ing the month of April. – developing the endurance in the work exercise grounds), and especially in rela- Expressing satisfaction from the fact that with the capability of short and concise tion to realizing the combined tactical ex- for the very first time in the Republic of speaking with high level of presenter ca- ercises and command-staff exercises, as Macedonia started realization of such a pabilities, as well as public performance. well as the planned visits. course, at the beginning of the course the The length of this study program for the The justification and the set-up of the attendees were welcomed by the Dean of attendees lasts for four weeks or one course were checked through the practical the Military Academy, COL PhD Rose Smi- month. Education is realized in accor- realization of the course, regarding the se- levski, who wished them successful work. dance with the approved Curriculum of lected course regime and the length of the The aim of this course was to enable the the Studies by the Teaching Council of course and also the structure of schooling, attendees for commander duties through the Military Academy which is made in co- i.e. representation of the subject materials acquiring basic notions for the way of or- operation with the GS of ARM, with the and planned exercises. ganization, planning and realization of the NATO Advisory Team and with the BAH- One of the many significant dimensions mission at company level (infantry, artillery, team, as well as with the Plan for realiza- of the course was the openness to exter- company of armored mechanized unit, en- tion of the teaching process with every nal collaborators who enriched the con- gineering company, ABNCW (Atomic Bio- generation of attendees, and after an tent and the syllabus of the course with logical Nuclear Chemical Weapons) com- approved decision or agreement by the their experiences from their engagement pany, artillery-rocket units for anti-aircraft Minister of Defense. in military missions and in missions of defense company, liaison company and The conditions and the way of course en- non-military character in the country and logistic company), as well as enabling the rollment, as well as other status issues abroad and delivered their acquired expe- attendees to perform national and joint are defined by the Military Academy Stat- riences to the attendees and familiarized military operations and operations of non- ute which outcome from the ARM Officer them with the new things in the tactical military character. Corps Development Concept. and operational military doctrine, as well Course assignments: Regular teaching hours were the basic as the new things in the application of – enabling the attendees for organization form of the teaching-educational process, the contemporary management systems and management with the personnel of and it was organized and realized through for administrative-technical support in the the company’s command and the unit in lectures, presentations, and work with syn- process of making up decisions in the mili- the preparations for mission execution; dicates, consultations, ana­lyses, exercises tary, resources management and similar. – enabling the attendees in realization of and practically applied form of teaching. Z.R. 40 education

military BROTHERS-IN- MILITARY CALL MEETING OF THE ALLIED RECRUITS

olonel Neal Rappaport and four ca- ment and Teaching Personnel of the ences with the future pilots. dets from the USA Air Force Acad- Military Academy where they were At the end of their visit, the cadets emy visited the Republic of Mace- presented the curriculum and the syl- from the USA expressed their admi- donia recently. Their visit was upon labus of the studies at the Military ration with the unusual visit and the initiative of Colonel Rappaport Academy and all supplementary forms wonderful memories that they will who wanted to show to some of his of training that Macedonian cadets take with them from this country. students the country with its beauties should face on their way of becoming They thanked Colonel Rappaport in which he had fallen in love with when officers. front of everybody for choosing the he was the US Military Attaché to the The inevitable and especially interest- Republic of Macedonia of all possible Republic of Macedonia for two years. ing part of the American cadets’ stay destinations. At their departure and The delegation was a guest to the was the visit to the Air Force WING of saying goodbye to the Macedonian Military Academy “General Mihailo ARM. The future officers of the USA cadets after this short but fruitful Apostolski” and to the Cadet Training Air Force attended the presented meeting and friendship, like “brothers- Center at the Training Command. lectures with great interest and tried in-military call” they firmly shook hands The recruits of both allied countries, to use the professionalism and the and instead of “farewell” said “good- the USA and Macedonia, through their knowledge of the Macedonian pilots bye” to each other. morning activities, from getting up, to a great degree and unselfishly their working out together, raising of shared their knowledge and experi- MA Lazar Gjurov the country’s flag and the parade, had an uncommon opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder and to feel the allied spirit. They had an opportunity to see for themselves in the common qualities and the dedication to the military discipline. They also realized that determination, persistence and decisiveness are characteristics which lead them through overcoming the difficulties and successful acquiring of the military skills and abilities. For the last several days, the cadets of the USA and the Republic of Mace- donia assured all present that their se- nior colleagues-officers who work and live together in the mission in Afghani- stan can be at ease because they will have their respectable successors. According to the program, the Delega- tion had a meeting with the Manage-

41 LESS NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR A SAFER WORLD global

REVIEW OF THE NEW NUCLEAR STRATEGY

rom a global security aspect, the its reduction were taken after 23 May TREATY START-2 events related to the nuclear arms 1992 when all four newly-established The President of the USA, Barack reduction are especially interest­ independent countries signed the Obama and the President of the Rus- ing. At first, the new strategic Lisbon Protocol and by that all these sian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, treaty on nuclear weapons or START-2 countries as legal successors of the signed the long-awaited new treaty on (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was former Soviet Union became part of strategic arms reduction or START-2 on signed in Prague on 8 April between the Treaty START-1. However, in or- 8 April, 2010 in Prague which obligates the President of the USA, Barack der to be fully into force this Treaty both countries to reduce significantly Obama and the President of the Rus­ was to be ratified by the Parliaments their nuclear potential. In addition, the sian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev. of all involved countries. This proce- President of the USA emphasizing the It was followed by a Summit of the dure in the parliaments took a little great collaboration with the Russian Heads of 47 nations on nuclear safety bit more than three years. The final President stated, “A year ago in Prague on 12 and 13 April, in Washington, and enforcement of the Treaty START-1 I was talking about my vision to stop there will be a UN Conference on non- took place on 5 December 1994 at the the proliferation of nuclear arms and my proliferation of nuclear arms in May. Budapest Summit where the involved dream of a world without nuclear arms. In this context, of course, we should parties had confirmed that the Treaty That’s a long process which may not be point out the new nuclear strategy of was ratified in the parliaments of the finished even during my lifetime. But, the USA (with great changes from the START-1 signatories. According to the I believe that the pursuit of this goal previous one) which was published plan, this Treaty was to be valid for 15 would push us away from the Cold War on 6 April 2010. All these events are years with a possibility of expanding mentality, would strengthen the global of great importance for the security the treaty for another 5 years pro- regime for non-proliferation of nuclear worldwide. vided all involved countries came to arms and would make the USA and the an agreement. In the course of the world more secure” And the President TREATY START-1 first seven years, i.e. until 5 December of the Russian Federation Dmitry Med- The First Strategic Arms Reduction 2001 all nuclear warheads were trans- vedev thanked Obama for the great Treaty or START-1 was signed on 31 ferred from Belarus, Kazakhstan and collaboration and said, “I am convinced July 1991 between the USA and the Ukraine. Also, Belarus and Kazakhstan that everything that has been done former Soviet Union after almost disposed their strategic offensive so far is only the beginning of the big ten years of hard negotiations. But arms, while Ukraine continued dispos- road. I would be sorry if the relations be- five months later the Soviet Union ing of its own respectably strategic of- tween Russia and the USA are directed fell apart and there were four new fensive arms. According to the treaty only towards the limitation of the stra- independent states: Russia, Belarus, START-1 until that period, the USA and tegic offensive arms; although this is Kazakhstan and Ukraine, which had Russia successfully reduced the num- our special responsibility. But we must strategic nuclear arms. Even though ber of warheads to 6,000, i.e. they re- also collaborate in the other areas be- certain steps for nuclear arms reduc­ duced their nuclear arms by 30-40%, cause that is important for our nations tion were taken for a few months in and Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine and for the situation worldwide”. Ex- 1991 until the collapse of the Soviet disposed of or transferred all their pressing his hope that they had made Union, more significant activities for nuclear weapons from their territories. a very significant step in that direction, 42 thus reduce the danger of nuclear terror­ closing part of their nuclear capacities, ism. They also agreed that nuclear power and the Ukrainian leader promised that plants for energy production should use the country would entirely dispose of low enriched uranium which can not be the raw materials for nuclear weapons used for making atomic weapons. In addi­ production. There was also a discus- tion, the host of the conference on nucle­ sion about not having any limitations ar safety, US President Barack Obama, in the development of the programs stated, “All nations have supported the for using nuclear material for producing goal that I set in Prague a year ago - to nuclear energy and in that context the secure all insecure materials in the world participants came to an agreement to in four years. We do not have the illusion deepen the collaboration with the In- that it will be an easy process”. The con­ ternational Agency for Atomic Energy ference participants agreed on disposing which controls the nuclear potentials. of part of their own nuclear potential and Although the USA was hitherto against control of their nuclear capacities by

international inspectors, at this confer- global “I am convinced that everything ence they agreed on being subjected that has been done so far is only the to international inspections. A special beginning of the big road. I would emphasis at the conference was placed be sorry if the relations between on two countries, Iran and North Korea Russia and the USA are directed that develop their own programs for only towards the limitation of the nuclear weapons production. Certain strategic offensive arms; although sanctions had already been introduced this is our special responsibility. But against these two countries because we must also collaborate in the other of the infringement of the International areas because that is important for Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and new sanctions will be dis- our nations and for the situation in cussed at the UN Conference on Non- the world” Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons which will be held in New York in May. President of the Russian From the aspect of global security, in Federation, my view, the number of nuclear weap- Dmitry Medvedev ons existing in the world today is a

BY MA Stojan Dimcov strengthening thus the trust and mu­ tual understanding between Russia and the USA, the Russian President added that he considers the signing of the treaty on nuclear weapons reduction as a real historical event. With the new treaty START-2 they clearly defined the limit whereon the USA and Russia should further reduce their nuclear po­ tential, lower than the limits proscribed by the previous treaty START-1 in 1991 that expired on 5 December 2009. With the new treaty which is already called “Prague Treaty” and which has to be ratified by the American Senate and by the Russian Duma, both parties will reduce their own nuclear weapons by about one third within seven years after its enforcement. minor problem compared to the issue WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ON “A year ago in Prague I was how these weapons are controlled and NUCLEAR SAFETY talking about my vision to stop the stored and prevention from possible On 12 and 13 April 2010 there was a proliferation of nuclear arms and my misuse of the nuclear potential by un- Conference of Heads of States on dream of a world without nuclear authorized people and organizations. As Nuclear Safety in Washington. At this arms. That’s a long process which the USA and the Russian Federation are conference hosted by the President the leading nuclear forces in the world, of the USA, Barack Obama, 46 lead­ may not be finished even during my lifetime. But, I believe that the this recently signed new treaty START-2 ers were present as well as the UN will certainly have a positive influence on Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the pursuit of this goal would push us security globally. It is very positive that President of the European Council, Her­ away from the Cold War mentality, 47 state leaders signed the Declara- man Van Rompuy and Director General would strengthen the global regime tion of the International Conference on of the International Agency for Atomic for non-proliferation of nuclear arms Nuclear Safety in Washington, as well as Energy, Yukiya Amano. With the final and would make the USA and the the new US nuclear strategy. We hope declaration all countries-participants in world more secure” that the dream of the US President, the conference obligated to take strict Barack Obama, will become a reality one safety measures to prevent radioactive President of the USA, day and that the world will be set free of material falling in the hands of unau­ the intimidating nuclear weapons. thorized people and being misused and Barack Obama 43 ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY AND SECURITYVS. global

THE ATTITUDE OF THE ENVIRONMENT TOWARDS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF HUMAN SOCIETY

nvironment has a significant influence of hazardous materials in the waters and A lot of lava, remnants of coal from the on human activities and hence on ev- fields brings to unpleasant occurrences excavations in the mines in the 19th and eryday life. However, very often man and causes disease in the animal world. 20th centuries left vast regions near the does not take that into consideration. Unfortunately, besides great scientific coal mines totally incapable of securing achievements in all areas of modern living, vegetation. The mineral irrigations togeth- ENVIRONMENT AS A FACTOR FOR there have constantly been diseases and er with copper and other mining activities THE QUALITY OF LIVING conditions that humanity can’t handle. have polluted the rivers and springs with The quality of living of people directly de- acids so that life in them is impossible. In pends on the quality and the conditions ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY many parts of the world there is still un- of the environment. People need clean air; The economic vitality of the state also controllable cut of the forested areas even otherwise they will suffer from problems depends on the environment. There are though there are many ways to control and diseases of the respiratory organs. numerous examples of regions left un­ these situations. Without a proper fores- Water deficit in some parts of the world populated and incapable of supporting tation of the surfaces or without an ero- is the biggest reason for fatal diseases. any kind of development just because of sion control vast regions with life are lost Many live species important for the food the non-planned and unconscientious be­ every year. Very often, important surfaces chain can’t survive in polluted environment. havior of people. A significant part of the are lost because of the downpours, creat- The destruction of the ozone layer as well destruction is caused by uncontrollable ex­ ing wasteland thus the land is incapable of as the uncontrolled release and deposit ploitation of natural sources of the Earth. supporting any kind of a harvest.

44 In the 20th century bigger part of the de- struction is caused by the factories. Un- controlled air emissions from the factories are a source of acid rains which gradually destroy the forest near the factories. Even more uncontrolled emission of polluted and hazardous materials from the facto- ries pollutes the rivers and springs to the extent that those waters cannot be used for domestic or industrial purposes. A state which unreasonably allows too big VS. or reduced quantity of its valuable natural sources in order to satisfy the short term needs creates significant problems for the next generations. Many generations will need to go by to be possible for the de- stroyed forests to be replanted and the global lost fertile soil if that is really possible. In some countries the governments import food forced to use the limited sources and with that activity to help their own citizens. Sometimes when the financial sources are exhausted, the countries think that it is necessary to turn to the international or- ganizations for help. Cleaning up the con- taminated sources and the soil polluted by the careless use of the mineral sources or by the emission of poisonous materials from uncontrolled industrial plants will cost a lot and it will take a lot of time to reno- vate them. Furthermore, the authorities should punish and warn the polluters and prevent other possible actions that could create worse and harder living conditions for the population. D eFINITIONS which with international accords, negotiations or agreements are used in order to ENVIRONMENT AS THE REASON FOR CONFLICTS help the army of any country in the development of Certain conditions of the environment of- effective programs for protection of the human’s ten are among the many factors which health and environment contribute to tension and potential re- gional or world conflicts. If the country is exhausting its own natural sources, the M S iLITARY ector – includes armed Industrial Sector – includes people may become dissatisfied. In some forces and defense administration commercial and government factories cases, there could be a civil war because responsible for supporting military included in any type of production, where of keeping or acquiring the other sources. activities. weapon production is involved and other In other cases, the population immigrates Armed Forces – includes army materials for the armed forces. to other countries in search for better life. personnel of any country, land forces, Legislature – advisory body In any of these situations, the factories of military navy, naval units and air composed of representatives of bodies, these countries are ruined and the capa- forces. responsible for passing laws. bility to return and improve the life of the Environment – includes air, Local Authorities – includes city or population is getting less and less pos- water, earth, flora and fauna state authorities that are responsible sible. Then, tensions arouse even in the countries where the government supports and archaeological and historical for making and enhancing of the local the newcomers, but the population often treasures. standards. makes problems with these emigrants. Government – includes regular Conservation – it refers to the Destruction of the environment and na- direction of the elected ministers and protection of the natural and cultural ture can arouse tensions in the neighbor- the other state bodies. treasures. ing countries. For example, many countries are hit by the “acid rains” which are very often created by emission of waste gases have a need to provide food for their in- fact that they are the source of their good from the factories’ chimneys located in creased population on the one hand, and economic status. other countries. Also, some countries can- the ones who are concerned about the Another reason for the international ten- not use the water from the rivers which natural sources which are destroyed if sion is the responsibility of some countries flow through their territory because the they are used uncontrollably. for control of the increased length of the water has already been polluted by the un- The international attention is increasingly hole in the ozone layer. Many countries, controlled emission of waste material into focused on the control of the reasons especially the ones to the north and south the countries of its previous flow. In other which bring about global warming of the of the two hemispheres have signed inter- cases, in some countries a lot of water planet. Moreover, there is a significant national agreements and take outstand- from the riverbed is used for watering thus disagreement among the countries about ing measures for eliminating the reasons when the river flows in the next country, the proposed measures and actions. For which bring to the reduction of chemical its water level is significantly decreased. example, the developed countries want to substances found in the ozone layer of the In the last few years the tension between build new factories and to cut the forests Earth. Countries that are not directly con- the countries is increasing concerning the because of new areas for industry devel- cerned with this problem from economic natural sources management such as opment, and these activities contribute to reasons voted for non-signing of an agree- oceans and the atmosphere. Whale and the global warming of the earth. Neverthe- ment and for continuation of the chemi- fish industry attracts more attention and less, developed countries do not agree cal substances production that make the causes tension among the countries that with the closure of the factories due to the ozone layer become thinner. Elizabeta Tashkovska 45 A DAY TO REMEMBER

65 YEARS FROM SIGNING THE ACT OF UNCONDITIONAL MILI- TARY SURRENDER OF NAZI GERMANY

ight of May 1945. There were cel- „W e sHALL not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall ebrations all over the country that fight in France, we shall fight with growing confidence and suffered. “The crowds of people growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, were dressed in white, blue and whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we red…. We were gathered near the shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields, Buckingham Palace in London celebrat- and in the streets, we shall fight in the halls. We shall never ing together with the King” states the surrender!“ BBC correspondent about the celebra- tion of the end of war in Europe. In this Winston Churchill , speech to the House of Commons , 1940. issue of our magazine we have the hon- our to mark the 65 anniversary from the ratification of the surrender of Germa- ny, which officially signified the end of ously reached Vienna. At the beginning the war that took 70 million victims, in of April, the allies progressed to Italy this part of the world. and western Germany, and the Soviet troops reached Berlin. THE END IS COMING On the historic 25th of April, both Massive counter-offensive of the Ger- Armies encountered on the river Elba man troops in Ardennes (16 December and after only five days, on the 30th 1944) was a final desperate move of the April while the Russian troops were German forces to turn the events on only meters away from the bunker, Ad- the western front in their benefit. Their olf Hitler, the man responsible for the goal was to conquer Antwerp, one of bloodiest war in history of mankind, the major ports or the Allied troops. But put a gun on his head and with only the outcome from the German contra- one shot the red curtain went down. offensive could have been predicted by The horror show was over and his suc- January. The troops were defeated and cessor, Admiral Carl Doenitz got the re- the goal of Nazi leaders remained only sponsible task to end the fights on the an unfulfilled wish. Exactly then, in Janu- western front. ary, Soviet troops entered Poland and southern Prussia. Next month, Soviets INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER conquered Silesia and Pomerania, while With the end of the war being in the air, on the west, the allies were approach- the preparations for a legal document ing Rhine. In March, the allies crossed began. British, American, Soviet repre- the river and imprisoned big number of sentatives worked on that document German soldiers. The Soviets simultane- all through 1944 in the European Advi-

46 sory Commission (EAC). It is inter- esting that the Commission pre- dicted and suggested a request for total capitulation of Germany since the beginning of 1944. The Commission proposed the docu- ment to be signed by the German High Command as well, in order to prevent the repetition of the “stab- in - back”, legend created in the First World War, when Ger- man Militarist did not take the re- sponsibility for the defeat, since the instrument of surrender was signed by representatives of the German government only. Not everyone agreed with the predic- tions that Germany will surrender under one leadership (Lord Wil- liam Strang considered that the war may end by the individual surrender of German Command- ers). Discussiosn moved in direc- tion to make an agreement for complete surrender of Germany led by one Government.

REQUESTS OF THE SMALLER ALLIED COUNTRIES On the EAC meeting held on 14th March 1945 the representatives of the remaining smaller coun- tries had their own requests to be included in the instrument of surrender concerning them in specific. Here are some of their requests: THE CZECH REPUBLIC: The Czech government proposed that the document include a 1. ORIGINAL WINDS OF FREEDOM Reich President, Grand Admiral paragraph against acquisition of DOCUMENT The hands on the clock showed Karl Doenitz. Walter Bedell Smith territories by force and mention- OF THE CA- 02:51 hours, the day was May signed on behalf of the Western PITULATION 7th,1945. At that particular mo­ allies, and Ivan Susloparov on be- ing the responsibility of the Ger- INSTRUMENT man state for the war. ment in an old redbrick school­ half of the Soviets. French Major BELGIUM, THE NETHER- house in Rheims, France which General François Sevez signed as 2. THE BIG served as the Supreme Head­ the official witness. LANDS AND LUXEMBURG: The THREE AT THE governments of Belgium, the YALTA CON- quarters for Allied Expeditionary It should be mentioned that the Netherlands and Luxembourg, FERENCE, THE Force the first instrument of United States and Britain acted concerned with their positions as AGREEMENT agreement was signed. It was in on behalf of all Allied forces, small Allied nations, recommend- FOR UNCON- effect as of 23:41 hours on 8th whereas France, Germany and ed that the instrument of sur- DITIONAL May 1945. the USSR acted individually. render should include a specific SURRENDER The unconditional surrender of It is interesting that there was acknowledgement of the part to OF NAZI the German armed forces was a second instrument of surren- be played by the small countries signed by Alfred Jodl, on behalf der, signed after midnight (CET) in the control of Germany. of the High Command of Ger­ on 8th May, at the seat of the NORWAY: As a country which man armed forces and the new Soviet Military Administration in was completely occupied by Ger- Berlin. This ratification was a -re mans, the Norwegian represen- sponse to both Soviet and Brit- tatives requested the document ish concerns. The Soviets desired to include specific reference to a signature in the presence of the demand of surrender of the the Soviet Supreme Commander German troops in Norway. Marshal Zhukov, while the Brit- YUGOSLAVIA: The Yugoslav rep- ish wanted the surrender to be resentatives declared its inten- signed by the highest military tion to refrain from any specific and civilian representatives of recommendations until an agree- the German Reich, in order to ment on government unity was avoid a repeat of the stab-in-the- reached between Tito and Prime back legend. Minister Ivan Šubašić. It was agreed to have the act GREECE: The Greek government re- ratified with the signatures of quested that a demand is included the commanders in chief of the in the document to all German forc- German army, air force and ma- es that may remain on Greek terri- rines, who were brought to the tory at the moment of surrender to Soviet command in Berlin. The surrender their military equipment to representatives of the United the Greek Royal government. Kingdom, France and the United

47 States entered the dining room of the OFFICIAL END OF WORLD WAR II officers’ mess in the Headquarters REPRESENTATIVES OF THE – JAPANESSE INSTRUMENT OF shortly before midnight. The German RATIFICATION IN BERLIN, SURRENDER delegation entered the room shortly 8 MAY 1945 Official end of WW II came after sev- after midnight after Marshal Zhukov, eral months due to the continued war the Soviet representative, had opened SOVIET UNION in the Pacific. Namely, the Japanese the ceremony. The ratification of the instrument of surrender was signed on German Act of Unconditional Surren- Marshal Georgy Zhukov on behalf of 2nd September 1945 aboard US naval der was signed around 00.15 hours, the Supreme High Command of the ship “Missouri” in Tokyo Bay. On that after its regulations had already been Red Army. day later referred to as “Day of Victory in effect for over an hour (23:01 Central over Japan” on the signing ceremony European Time). UNITED KINGDOM were representatives of the Empire of Marshal Arthur Tedder as Deputy Japan, USA, the Republic of China, the TEXT OF THE INSTRUMENT OF Supreme Commander of the Allied United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the SURRENDER Commonwealth of Australia, Dominion Further down we present the integral Expeditionary Force. of Canadian, Provisional Government text of the first instrument of surren- of France, the Kingdom of Netherlands der signed in Rheims: UNITED STATES and the Dominion of New Zealand. 1. We the undersigned, acting by au- General Carl Spaatz, Commanding The ceremony during which the offi- thority of the German High Command, USA Strategic Air Forces, as witness. cial document was signed lasted 23 hereby surrender unconditionally to minutes and was broadcasted world- the Supreme Commander, Allied Expe- FRANCE wide. The instrument of surrender ditionary Force and simultaneously to General Jean Lattre de Tassigny, was signed by the Japanese Foreign the Soviet High Command all forces on Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu on behalf land, sea, and in the air who are at this Commanding First French Army, as of the Emperor of Japan and the Japa- date under German control. witness. nese Government and General Yoshijiro 2. The German High Command will at Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff once issue orders to all German mili- NAZI GERMANY on behalf of the Japanese Imperial Gen- tary, naval and air authorities and to all – Admiral Hans-Georg von eral Headquarters”. forces under German control to cease Friedeburg as Commander-in-Chief On the side of the winners, the under- active operations at 2301 hours Central of the navy; signed were U.S. General of the Army European time on 8 May and to remain Douglas MacArthur, Commander in the in the positions occupied at that time. – Colonel-General Hans-Jürgen Southwest Pacific and Supreme Com- No ship, vessel, or aircraft is to be scut- Stumpff as the representative of mander for the Allied Powers, and as tled, or any damage done to their hull, the air force; witnesses, U.S. Lieutenant General Jon- machinery or equipment. – Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel as athan Mayhew Wainwright IV and Brit- 3. The German High Command will at representative of the army. ish Lieutenant General Arthur Percival. once issue to the appropriate com- manders, and ensure the carrying out CELEBRATING PEACE of any further orders issued by the A large number of people went out Supreme Commander, Allied Expedi- on the streets of the devastated city tionary Force and by the Soviet High of London to mark the end of the Command. war in the European part. The crowd 4. This act of military surrender is with- celebrated from Trafalgar square to out prejudice to, and will be superseded Buckingham Palace where King George by any general instrument of surrender VI, Queen Elisabeth and Sir Winston imposed by, or on behalf of the United Churchill appeared on the balcony of Nations and applicable to Germany and the palace. Princess Elisabeth (today’s the German armed forces as a whole. Queen of England) and her sister Prin- 5. In the event of the German High cess Margaret were allowed to walk Command or any of the forces under into the crowed anonymously and be their control failing to act in accordance part of the big celebration. Even today with this Act of Surrender, the Supreme in many countries 8th May (9th May in Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force Russia and East European countries) is and the Soviet High Command will take celebrated as the Victory day against such punitive or other action as they Fascism. deem appropriate. Ivan Petrusevski

48 EXECUTING COIN COUNTER INSURGENCY OPERATIONS (COIN)-IX

n the previous issue of the maga- case civil-military operations and infor­ Civil-military operations zine it became clear that within the mation operations). The classification of (CMO) during indirect indirect approach to modern coun- military operations during modern COIN approach when executing ter insurgency operations (COIN), is to systemize them properly. Terrain modern COIN operations the combat operation can be generally leaders and their planners should bear When an indirect approach is consid- classified in three categories: in mind that the level of operation (by ered, civil-military operations (later in – civil-military operations, emphasizing the first, the second or the the text CMO) during modern COIN – combat operations and third category) should change during should be primarily oriented toward – information operations. COIN operations according to the ter­ meeting the needs of the local popula- Although in favour of this position is rain. These civil-military operations can­ tion in villages, towns and regions. (An the sound argument that the same not be performed without informative idea to divide the populated areas like general classification can be applied shaping of operational environment, this comes from the approach to fo- within the direct approach, in this spe- which means executing information op­ cus on solving local problems through cific case the indirect approach is char- erations as well. In order to explain the regional, towards central-inductive acterized by emphasizing one or anoth- indirect approach we will first present rather that deductive method). er group of operations (in this particular the civil-military operations. As stated above CMO during modern COIN must not be isolated from the combat operations and the informa- tion operations. This conclusion came out of previous discussions referring to modern COIN, related to providing safe environment in which govern- mental institutions (institutions of the country supported in executing COIN) could respond to the needs of the population. When planning and executing CMO as part of the overall campaign of COIN the following should be considered: – CMO must be in accordance and completely integrated with the plans of the political and military leaders (local authorities or designated civilian politicians supporting the country) who are the most responsible for the coun-

49 UN Secretary General, or the most powerful country if it is the coalition of will i.e. opera- tions not under mandate of UN e.g. mission in Iraq or Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan). The most important element, which should run the “show” within CMOs, is the so called Civil-Mili- tary Committee. The Civil-Military Committee al- ways has an advisory role. Its members should be represen- tatives of leading economic and social groups, which are on the top of their particular domain. This means that the local popu- lation must not be excluded form them. On the contrary, the try where these operations are Execution of command and 1. LOCAL POPU- participation of the local popu- executed (e.g. In Afghanistan or control for COIN, as well as for LATION RECEIV- lation serves as a benchmark the case with Iraq); CMO, must be through the so ING HUMANI- TARIAN AID when estimating the quality of – as part of the overall cam- called security coordinative cen- CMO, which directly affects the paign these operations should ters. In order to be successful 2. TALKING COIN legitimacy. be initiated immediately when these centres should have rep- TO THE LOCAL This leads to conclusion that there are adequate conditions; resentatives of military forces, LEADERS military leaders must be pre- – intelligence and psychological other institutions of the host pared for different organiza- operations (hereinafter PSYOP) country, military and civil rep- 3. GENERAL tions related to commanding as part of information opera- resentatives of the coalition EIKENBERRY, and functioning in general (this tions (hereinafter IO) are man- forces (if these operations are CURRENT US AMBASSADOR once again confirms the conclu- datory while CMO are in prog- under the mandate of the UN sion that traditional approach ress; they are called UN forces). TO AFGHANI- STAN in COIN should be avoided). – effective local government is Practice showed that the chief In order these centres to suc- crucial for success of CMO (this of these centres must be a ceed in fulfilling their function, adds up to the previous conclu- military person or a civil ad- resources must be established sion of Lawrence of Arabia, and ministrator (designated by the and allocated correctly. This ad- justment must be coordinated with terrain situation and in ac- cordance with detailed terrain analysis, which was also men- tioned previously. (It should not be generic and by default for the whole territory especially in multicultural societies such as Iraq and Afghanistan).

Resource allocation Establishment of coordination centers during CMO must not exclude the reality on terrain. Consequently military leaders must consider the fact that there will be other actors on terrain such as NGOs, private international corporations, pri- vate companies from the host country, governmental repre- sentatives etc. ( Official politi- cal representatives nominated by the UN, or the lead nation in the directions McCrystal gave the coalition. It is not excluded to coalition forces at the end of to have representatives from last year in Afghanistan). different countries with coali- tion of will). In this operations Command and control very often non-military, political during Civil-military personnel, mentioned above, operations is appointed for the highest Leaders must make a structure, functions. Besides the political- besides other things (mainly for administrative part, the civilian COIN) for execution of CMO part may consist of civilian ex- (usually it is one structure to perts in different departments avoid overlapping). In regions e.g. economy, law etc.). where such structure does not A key to success of CMO, which exist its forming is obligatory. is the main reason these cen-

50 (e.g. Afghanistan and Iraq be- fore General Petraeus). This leads us to another conclusion, which occurred in previous dis- cussions. It is related to the ed- ucation level of military leaders, which is necessary if they are to be successful (only military education is not sufficient to meet these standards). CMO coordination is always in the framework of national interests of the coalition partners (for op- erations of the Coalition of will) i.e. countries donators (when operations are under the man- date of the UN). On a tactical level, this coordi- nation is performed through tres are formed, is coordina- 4. A STEP FOR- pends on that (how much it is the central centre which could tion of the military operations WARD IN GAIN- in accordance with the needs but does not have to be part with the efforts of the civilian ING PEOPLE’S of the population and the po- of a Headquarters of the armed components. When there is no TRUST litical directives for forming and forces of a particular country. civilian personnel, according to establishing an overall system On a strategic, (central) level the USA approach instead of a when building nations generally, and on a tactical (local) level the civilian, often a military person i.e. COIN individually). objectives of CMO are the fol- is nominated as the leader (es- With this goal military leaders lowing: pecially in the early phases of should be ready to implement – to contribute for develop- COIN). What must not lack dur- political directions into plans ment of the overall system ing the coordination is the fact and also be prepared to give in the country where modern that each activity during CMO detailed analysis and advice COIN is performed. must be related to economic, on what should be changed, – to gain support, loyalty and social, psychological and po- 5. TRAINING adapted to lead to success. The legitimacy from the local popu- litical objectives. Thus the ac- OF THE LOCAL last is a case when the political lation tivities must include this type POLICE – EN- directions are not in accordance The principles of the CMO must of programmes (programmes GAGED IN CMO with the conditions on terrain be in direction to: focused to fulfill this). – protect resources and devel- If there are no sufficient civilian opment of economy resources, (which is often the – adjust to directions given by case) military resources are put the chain of command. in function of the population Despite everything, all the ac- needs. For example, engineer tivities during CMO (which are units participate in supporting usually called projects) have the infrastructure, military med- to be coordinated with the ical personnel looks after the needs of the population. Thus health of the population, legal it is necessary to understand advisors give support for estab- culture, traditions and the real lishing institutions responsible needs of the population. This for implementation of legal directly leads to the educa- regulations, and military police tion level of each operator, in- units control traffic and assist in cluding the leaders, as well as forming local police structures. another assumption stressed It is clear that the idea be- previously that there is no place hind the existence of CMO is for “defaults” during a modern to serve as a bridge between COIN, even in the frameworks population and the institutions of a campaign. In other words, so as to form a solid ground what functions well and is a for the system in a particular priority for the population in country. In latter phases ( e.g. one region of the country does phases for support by civil au- not imply that the same thing thorities, i.e. from the whole will function or will be a priority campaign of CMO) of the cam- in another region of the same paign CMO should fill in the gap country where a campaign of between local authorities and modern COIN is executed. fragile (if there is any) central In the next issue of the maga- government. The idea and the zine we will continue with the ability to establish and later on importance of the population to connect local and central ad- for control of resources during ministrative and political struc- CMO as part of the overall indi- tures are key to the success of rect approach in the process of the indirect approach of COIN. modern COIN. This is particularly important since the success of COIN de- Ph. D. Metodi Hadzi-Јanev

51 SILENT HUNTER 5 - DOES THE SPLENDOUR OF NAVAL BATTLES FADE?

FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN

A t fIRST glance, we would ask ourselves: Is it true that no one gives you a treat without a good reason? This year Ubisoft Romania re- leased the new sequel to one of the best franchises dedicated to powerful and deadly submarines, which were decisive to a great ex- tent in winning the battles in the Second World War....nevertheless, does this new product satisfy our growing appetites?

52 SILENT HUNTER 5 - DOES THE SPLENDOUR OF NAVAL BATTLES FADE?

53 ilent Hunter… I remember more than a decade ago, the first sequel of this simulation was the reason I suffered from chronic lack of time, especially with education related issues. To be part of one epic war in the Pacific, after all, was not such a minor thing. Ap- parently, I was not the only one who was overwhelmed by positive impressions. Even though there was a big pause be- tween the first and the second sequel, due to the change of the company which developed the game, Silent Hunter (SH) continued its resolute stride in time. SH 3 appeared focused on “ The second battle of the Atlantic”, as well as SH4, which glued us to the monitors in the same way as SH1, in an American submarine which led us through the acts of the Pacific play. The fifth sequel to the famous simu- lation takes us back to the waters of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. At least, that’s what they say... DRM, WHAT IS IT? It is said that if the bad news is told first, its strength will be diminished. I de- cided to follow this advice, since there are small chances to feel the incredible graphic engine of SH5 in our well known circumstances. But, let’s get back to the notorious DRM, that is to say „digital rights management“ copy protection. The basics of this on - line platform is the fact that once the first time the game is launched, each gamer has to check the au- thenticity of the product, and in addition, in order to be able to play the game, you have to be on -line all the time during the game. On top of that, no one can even think of reselling it. I will emphasise once the captain is “de facto” positioned in the real synonym for boredom. There is a de­ again, although it has been crystal clear first person view, he can walk around the scription on more than 30 pages, which from the very beginning. Silent Hunter 5 submarine, talk to his colleagues and give explains everything except the basics uses this DRM solution. Sad, isn’t it? Ac- orders. The above mentioned graphics is of successful gaming. But we could be cording to the news, the problems start- especially noticeable during an attack. As “happy” because we are entirely familiar ed within 24 hours of the game’s release you run along the corridors, you can see with the detailed emotional conditions on the market. Short break in the middle water coming inside all over the hull. Ac- of each member of the crew. Completely of the game, difficulties with logging in, tually , I do not expect anything less than irrelevant. The other critics agree - the and a complete failure of the server (for that, bearing in mind the system that you new system of morale introduced in the 5% of the users on the 7th of March). The should have in order to enjoy the “recom- game, which is based on the care of the final goal of Ubisoft has been achieved. mended” pleasure. The whole story of captain for the members of his crew, is At least for the time being. To date, no this game should also be added as its a big failure. The idea of the game devel­ one has ever managed to make a crack significant advantage. You can feel the oper is not completely bad - the morale to SH5, although parts of the game were cold water of the Atlantic or the Pacific is accompanied with the personal charac­ immediately unlocked and enabled. from the comfort of your home, and at teristics and skills of the members, which Therefore, the extremely negative re- the same time there are no guarantees are gradually developed (translated in sponse on the part of the gamers is to that the level of stress will remain within the number of the accomplished mis­ be expected. The percentage of gamers the normal range. Anyone who has ever sions) giving us the opportunity to dive who are not willing to buy the game just used any version of SH, knows how aw- faster or reach greater final speed. Does because of the DRM, remains relatively fully difficult it is to incorporate all ele- anyone during a campaign think how is high: 75-84%. Negative comments in- ments of gaming in a way that your sub- the navigator’s wife doing? Or about the clude the idea that most of the people marine would be in a winning chess - mat dogs of the First Officer? And on top of do not have a broadband Internet, the position. Do not forget that you are fight- that, if the captain does not care much, Internet connection has a limited transfer, ing against convoys of merchant ships, or if we do not give him an order to ask and of course, the fear that the server of destroyers, cruisers which do not refrain about these trivial things, the morale Ubisoft would have frequent problems from shooting the cylinder pipes which could plummet to such extent that the and cracks. bring death - the torpedoes. crew would not obey his orders. I think it is too much! ADVANTAGES PROBLEMS ARE GROWING ... I would like to mention the negative What does Silent Hunter 5 really offer? Given the first impressions of the gam- aspect of the new way of movement Unfortunately, in this case my own expe- ers who have already had a chance to through the submarine. This concept rience would not be beneficial, although I see the qualities of the game, I think that would not be of any use when there is have passionately played the previous se- this paragraph would be much longer. All a need for quick decisions in order to ac­ quels of Silent Hunter. To be in a position over the global network, gamers throw complish the mission (or to survive). to lurk and suddenly attack your notori- accusations and express their dissatisfac- ous enemy can never be boring. On the tion. However, the journey of 1000 miles “INTERFACE” FEATURES contrary, SH offered me what is called starts by a single step. My wish to some- This is the new interface. The authors of „good time“ from the very beginning. Ac- how get the “tutorial” for the game was critics claim that the interface is not an cording to certain critics (and from what fulfilled. I do regret about it now. Boring! I advantage of this sequel. According to I have seen on the screen shots), the think I said the same for the Sins of a So- them, some of the main elements which graphics is a state of the art. In the new lar Empire, but after making the compari- are important for effective management SH5, the gamer faces 3D environment, son, I realized that I made a big mistake. of the submarine are missing, as well mainly inside the submarine. It is because The tutorial which is offered for SH5 is a as the real feeling that we are part of a 54 submarine from the World War II. I SYSTEM be seen though the short videos) tactics of the British – they will remember the view from the peri- REIREMENTSQU however, the drawbacks are even have minimal protection on these scope in SH2 . Rudimentary , yet more incredible. Performances convoys, which will make the realistic. In this sequel it is missing. required even for the middle set- ocean going convoys more vulner- The periscope is replaced by a tac- tings are quite high. able to enemy attack. If the Ger- tical interface, that is to say, a mini Sometimes the errors in the man submarines accomplish their map which looks like a GPS more graphics are so obvious that mission successfully, most of the than like a periscope produced make this game which has just accompanying war ships will be in the mid 20th century. Do not been released from the factory neutralized, which will open the even try to find the compass, in line look like one of the pioneers in door of the German fleet into the SH5 - it does not exist . the world of strategies. The icons Atlantic...” Unfortunately, the list of draw- at times resemble white dots, and backs goes on. One example is the harbours at times simply dis- WE ARE STRONGER artificial intelligence, which is ev- appear from the screen. At least TOGETHER erything but stable. At one point, the people are real - they pace It is true that the number contrib- the time between the discovery back and forth the deck of their utes to defeating the enemy. It of the submarine by the enemy destroyed ships while they are is particularly obvious when you air crafts or merchant ships and burning with high intensity. have a chance to play together the arrival of battleships is mea- When it comes to the quality of with seven passionate gamers sured in seconds, whereas at an- the audio part, I can not confirm (if there are any who will pay for other, you can send the ships to anything. Though, I will share with the original SH5). The missions the bottom one by one, and no you one critical view. There are are various, ranging from small one would be concerned about huge problems caused by the au- groups of convoys to huge fleet that. The military harbours of the dio. You would immediately like attack which consists of merchant Royal Navy are not protected, to turn off those boring phrases ships, war ships and even His Maj- which means they are always a like “Would you like to plot a new esty, the aircraft carrier. The infor- good place to destroy anchored course, captain?” which come up mation that new missions for the inactive enemy ships. Actually, every time you reach a particular multiplayer are constantly being it seems that the ships move in waypoint” said one of the critics formed, makes a positive impact the harbours of the enemy and of Gamespot . and creates an impression that in their friendly posts without a it will be one good point in this ship navigator. Merchant ships WHAT IS TO BE EXPECTED OF game (if we are looking for it). And could continuously crash into each THE CAMPAIGN? if you do not get lucky, you can try other until they occasionally get The main long term goal of the a multiplayer mission, but on your on fire and destroy themselves. gamer is to cut off the channels own... Even worse, they can go from of transportation of goods to the one to the other end of the har- British Isles. Having in mind that ANY FINAL WORDS? bours, which makes them less the Royal Navy is much bigger The fan base created by Ubisoft, secure locations for your subma- than the small German Navy, little with its hard work and “release” rine. You would be disappointed U - boats are some of the main of excellent products like I, II,III CPU: Intel Core2Duo E6850 (E4400) or AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ (4000+) (4000+) (minimum): 5600+ X2 64 Recommended Athlon AMD or (E4400) E6850 Core2Duo Intel CPU: GB) (1 GB 2 RAM: GB) (10 (8800) GB 9 15 серија HDD: GeForce / 2600) (HD 3000 HD Radeon ATI VGA: required. is connection Internet

upon your return in the harbour, offensive weapons. Taking into and even IV ( a sequel which after submerging a whole enemy consideration the fact that Britain struggled with errors and bugs) convoy, your submarine would depends on the imported goods had the last word. It is important be destroyed by friendly vessels from the mainland or from the to fight against piracy on a global which move around „without a colonies, Germans try to destroy level, though not to such great compass?“ the British power to fight and to extent. DRM must have an early demotivate British people, by de- retirement. It does not stop here. GRAPHICS- AT FIRST GLANCE stroying the biggest part of their All the bugs and shortcomings in EXCELLENT BUT ... merchant fleet. In order to show the fifth edition have to be over- There are frequent problems re- one example which each gamer come as soon as possible, in order lated to the audiovisual elements can be faced with during one sce- to maintain the reputation which of SH5. As I mentioned before, nario, I will present one authentic has been built by this franchise for the graphics is a kind of “ feast” text taken from the official web- more than ten years. Until then, but there are some shortcomings site of SH5. being loyal fans of naval battles, which can be noticed through dif- “Convoys of merchant ships go we will focus our periscope on ferent screen shots of the play- along the determined trans-Atlan- the enemy using the well known ers. It does not fit in the period in tic routes. Most of the convoys predecessors of this unfortunate which the game should be placed. sail without escort, relying only sequel number five. Everything seems to be like high on the air cover provided from - tech for the Second World War. the mainland. Each attack on a Details are incredible (which can convoy could cause change in the Ivan Petrushevski 55 FROM CREATIVE OBSESSION TO MADNESS REVIEW OF THE FASCINATING “THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI”

ar is a motive very often used in the seventh art. This is probably because in such dreadful moments people could react completely different than they would in normal life. Another reason might be the fact that war could pull out people’s best or the worst characteris- tics, to make somebody a hero or a biggest coward. This is why we got the idea of reviewing a few war films, films that have made a sig- nificant impression on us as people without being ambitious to be film critics. We would like to write about those films that have moved us, films that have become time- less or may become such, war films we talk about with delight and recommend to our friends, films that make us feel euphoric or depressed, sad or happy, furious or sympa- thetic. When we started planning our work we became aware exactly how many such films we have at our hands. For a moment Te h sCREENWRITERS, Carl ly important for the Japanese army. The it took us back in childhood reminded of Foreman and Michael Wilson, bridge was supposed to be built by the that feeling when staring at the toy shop Prisoners of War from the Japanese prison window we could not choose a favourite were on the Hollywood blacklist and could only work camp conducted by the extremely obses- toy. sive camp Commander Colonel Saito. The My dilemma didn’t last for long. I decided on the film in secret. The two did not collaborate on the film is rich with very interesting mainly male for my most favourite film of all, a film I characters. There is the character of the saw maybe thirty years ago and I still vivid- script; Wilson took over after rigid Colonel Nicolson (starred by Alec Guin- ly remember it – “The Bridge on the River Lean was dissatisfied with ness) who enters has an argument with Kwai”. I didn’t even know that the film was Foreman’s work. The official Colonel Saito reminding him that Geneva released in the distant 1957, a film which is credit was given to Pierre Conventions exempt officers from manual still very interesting to watch and is consid- Boulle (who did not speak labour. Each of them has an opposing at- ered one of the unforgettable films of all English), and the resulting titude which results in impermissible inter- times. Directed by David Lean, based on Oscar for Best Screenplay ruption of the bridge construction. Here the novel “The Bridge Over the River Kwai’ (Adaptation) was awarded the plot unwinds. Although it seems that written by the French novelist Pierre Boulle. to him. Only in 1984 did the film’s main theme is the fight between Although a work of fiction, basing it on cer- Academy rectify the situation these two titans, Nicolson and Saito, the tain historical information, the inclusion of by retroactively awarding the importance of other characters is easily no- some real occurrences and the convincing Oscar to Foreman and Wilson, ticed; an American officer (William Holden), acting would easily persuade many viewers posthumously in both cases a typical model of an antihero who was that the film conveys a real event. “The Bridge on the River Kwai”, Lean’s epic war picture, is a film that made the director’s name stardom. Lean, virtually unknown outside the United Kingdom, was not the first choice for director of the film. Producer Sam Spiegel said that David Lean was chosen “in absence of anyone else”. It was a huge project so “Columbia Pictures” considered the names of many directors among them John Ford, William Wyler, Howard Hawks and Orson Welles. Although this decision might seem naïve, Lean and his associates made something of an extraordinary importance. A THRILLING PLOT “The Bridge on the River Kwai” follows the events in Burma in 1943 during the con- struction of a bridge which was significant- 56 This section is dedicated to thes olider – the person who is always at the front line in the winds of war – the person who is highly motivated to defend his/her own, motherland and ideas – the person with the best physical and psychological preparedness – the person who has left a part of his/her soul home with his/her family – the person, who at the end of the day, is only human. Therefore, he/she is an inspiration to many films that have left a strong impression on the impartial general public, films that have thrown our emotions in the air and films that have shown us actual cruelty of war and its effect on people. In the following editions of Shtit we will recapitulate some of those films without any special desire of becoming film critiques. We only want to convey part of our feelings and show you that a soldier’s human destiny can change our perception regarding the life values, and moreover underline that the soldier’s difficulty and hard working life filled with sweat and tears deserves our utmostr espect.

made hero by circumstance, as well “Te h bRIDGE the hospital in Ceylon in a company green environment and just in a sec- as a team of British commandos on the River of a lovely nurse. ond we are stressed by the sight of who act in the rear line, soldiers who Kwai” won He pays his biggest sin with his life. many graves by the rail tracks and we sacrifice their lives in order to blow up seven “Oscar” He and the Navy Commander sur- realize that the train carries prisoners the bridge which will help their armies vive the sinking of their ship, but the to the prison camp. The method of reach their target. awards, among Commander is subsequently killed by presenting details is very attractive First part of the film gives the detailed which the a Japanese patrol. “Shears” switches – British soldiers marching in shabby characteristics of the two colonels Best Picture, dog tags with the dead officer hop- boots proudly entering the camp. – pride and honour. Neither of them Best Director ing to get preferential treatment in Nature has a special place in the wants to give up his beliefs. The criti- – legendary captivity. It doesn’t work but then film. A fantastic scenery of peaceful cal moment and the decisive factor British director he doesn’t have a choice but to con- life in the jungle of Burma – a river is the fact that one of them has a David Lean, and tinue the impersonation. Knowing quietly flowing and villagers’ serene lot to lose unlike the other. Nicolson, Best Actor - Alec all this, Warden threatens him with daily routine. The film language whose nobility glows throughout Guinness, Best court martial. In order to avoid being David Lean uses in this film is rich the whole film becomes a synonym Writing Pierre charged with impersonating an offi- of opposites: the beauty of nature for the British Army, a synonym of Boulle the cer, and offence punished by death, opposed to the ugly reality of con- a leader capable of maintaining his author of the Shears “volunteers” the mission to struction site of death; kind villagers people’s moral on a high level, a syn- novel on which take the demolition team of com- opposite stiff military command- onym of a creator and organizer who the film was mandos to the place he only knows. ers; Nicolson’s creativity opposite proves that the unreachable could be based Although being blackmailed, Shears Warden’s destructivity; Nicolson’s reached confirming the benefit of the high morale opposite Shears’ crimi- civilization he descends from. His vic- nal astuteness. All these combined tory over Saito in the fight between with the stubborn fight of attitudes the two of them is a victory of the between the representatives of two British way of living. Nicolson is blind- different civilizations (Nicolson and ed by the so-called virtues; he forgets Saito) leads to a madness which where he is and what his priorities guarantees a devastating develop- should be. ment of events and starts a “fire” in In the second part of the film the di- the beautiful den of nature. rector takes us to a hospital in Ceylon I often asked myself what fasci- where the escaped Shears arrives. nates me the most about this film. I He there meets (not by his will) the wondered how a young girl could so explosives expert, Major Worden easily be ushered in a war film, in a who is completely committed to male’s film. This is so because may- destroy Nicolson’s extraordinary cre- be I was trying to identify myself ation. He is a distinguished member with each of the characters. I was of the British Army Special Forces, delighted by Nicolson’s persistence, commandos who conduct diver- organization and creativity, I felt sor- sions in the rear line of the belliger- ry for Saito as a man trapped in the ent forces. He has no dilemma about shackles of his ideology, I admired blowing up the bridge. He blackmails Shears’ ability to survive, I respected Shears to return to the camp, he Warden’s superhuman efforts to sacrifices his own and the lives of his Te Ch sONG olonel is very well aware of the importance accomplish the task and I am not servicemen; he uses all possibilities Bogey March of the mission. His only aim is to stay sure how all this led to a madness to accomplish his goal. originally alive and go back home, but being when they all tried to carry out their The character who connects these written in 1914, at a place he hasn’t chosen, at the mission. This is how we can see the will be used in two parts is none the less interest- one scene in crucial moment he sacrifices his life message of this masterpiece. We ing; the officer of the USA Navy, -Ma “The Bridge on showing that heroes are not made should learn from these people’s jor Shears – prisoner in the Japanese the River Kwai” heroes, they are born. This is the mo- mistakes, realize that people cannot camp who does everything possible 43 years later. ment when Colonel Nicolson comes live isolated, that sometimes be- to survive. He takes the valuables off Many of younger to his senses, unfortunately too late. yond our wish to do all the best, her his dead comrades and uses them to and older The film creator gives him a chance majesty the universe wants to play bribe the Japanese guards to send generations for his soul salvation; he falls on the games with us. him to work in the hospital instead remember the explosive’s detonator and blows up “The bridge on the River Kwai” is a to work on the bridge’s construction. song the soldiers his marvelous creation. timeless film which greatness will He organizes a prison break out al- whistle. This never be questioned. Alec Guin- though he is aware it is not possible. is one of the WAR IN THE MIDDLE ness’s magnificent performance and He does this because he simply can- most impressive OF PARADISE marvelously conducted scenes by not bear the living conditions in the sound score ever David Lean creates wonderful David Lean make this film engraved camp. After he manages to escape performed on the scenes. We are led into the film by in our consciousness. he spends blissful days recovering in big screen ever the train moving through a peaceful Biljana Ivanova 57 Title of the original:

Lawrence Freedman The revolution in strategic affairs

Publisher: MAGOR, Skopje, 2009

ear readers, this book is also part the influence of nuclear weapons. The term to be followed in the war organization. of the program of the Government had its own advantages as “a means of From this reason, many RMI protagonists of Macedonia for translation of 500 marketing”, giving the issues a dramatic stress that they see in it something that specialized, scientific books and character, connecting them in a way to involved organizational as well as techni- course books used at the best and deep transformation, although risking to cal changes. most distinguished universities in the turn the idea for revolution into something One influential analysis shows that revo- USA and the EU. old fashioned and meaningless. lutions in war issues occur schematically, This, by itself, is a sufficient recommen- Revolution means something more than through interaction among technological dation to pay due attention to the book, just a transformation and certainly a lot changes, system development, functional that is, to be read. In case it needs addi- more than merely a change in the much inventiveness and organizational adapta- tional argumentation and motivation, it is greater variety. It represents a moment tion. This development leads to a connec- adequate to stress at the very beginning of transformation. Those moments are tion that “changes the character and con- that this is a book by one of the leading, not valued until they are studied by some flict leading from its roots”. This kind of most eminent analysts on military issues later historians. Occasionally, the revolu- analysis tends to underestimate political in the contemporary world, but on the tion may previously be envisaged. Will it and social dimensions of the change, and other hand, the book is actually a study of occur no matter the efforts of encourage- still they have a deep impact on military only about 80 pages, written in 1998, but ment, or does it only represent a collec- capabilities. The questions: “Who fights? actual in its theme and contents, which tion of political goals that may be refuted Against whom? What for?” determine may be a sufficient challenge the book to or condemned by others? Will RMI, the the character and the leading of the con- be found in your hands as well. same as political revolutions in the past, flicts. In this book, the central point holds Lawrence Freedman is a professor of be considered as a change consisting of the claim that it is impossible to under- military studies and head of the School one step, approaching towards a new stand the sense of modern trends, with- for Social Studies and Public Policy of paradigm, or should it be a continual pro- out paying attention to the influence of the Royal College in London – the United cess, “a continual revolution” that needs the political changes on the military idea. Kingdom. Prior to this, he was the head a continual change? Can revolution be lim- The term military issues has a significant of the political studies at the Royal In- ited to a country and still survive, or can it number of meanings. It refers to the or- stitute for International Issues. He was give roots only when it is present all over ganization and the application of armed educated at the universities in Manches- the world? forces for the country benefit, and by ter, York and Oxford, where he worked This book claims that several changes that, the revolution may refer to the main as a researcher as well as at the Interna- are already in process which together can disruptions in military equipment or politi- tional Institute for Strategic Studies. He really be revolutionary in terms of their in- cal goals, or a combination of both. The was elected for associate at the British fluence, but it does not mean that these significant changes in the international Academy in 1995 and he is the winner of changes move only in one direction. Big system from the last decade are added the acknowledgment “Commander of the part of the technical and technological on the list of revolutions in the political British Empire”. In 1996 he was appointed development, in connection with RMI, issues. That is a consequence of the long the official historian of the Falkland War in may usefully be utilized in many situa- term effects of the decolonization in com- 1997. He was elected the member of the tions without causing anything that could bination with short term effects from the official internal investigation in Britain for approach war transformation. RMI in the end of the Cold War and the increasing the Iraqi war in 2003. purest form may be conducted only in influence of the globalization. Freedman gave a significant contribution specific and hopeless situations. At the beginning of the 90s from the last in the debate about the revolution of mili- Big part of what is considered to be the century, there was a little coquetry with tary issues. He wrote Revolution in Stra- RMI is actually a military expression for the concept of “the fourth generation” tegic Issues, published in 1998, the book “revolutions” in technological and busi- of war that referred to the fall of the old we recommend in this issue, which talks ness issues. The revolution in technologi- people’s states and traditional battles, as about the fact that the technological cal issues is the deepest and the least well as the unmeaningful traditional mili- development indicates a new era in war debatable, and based on a group of activ- tary forms and technologies, the conflicts conflict and war capabilities. Therefore, ities connected with information technol- that include sub-state / non-state groups, we recommend this book to those who ogy including sensors, computerization as well as ethnical militia and narcocar- are interested in Freedman’s viewpoints and telecommunications. These activities tels. on these issues. obviously have dynamic influence on the With the new political position, it is less The Revolution in Military Issues is a process of decision making and effective likely that the great powers will start a practical expression of the western way usage of resources. This leads to revolu- war against each other, and it is more of warfare whose basic elements are: tion in business issues, encouraging com- likely that they will find an opportunity professional armed forces, intolerance panies to become less adaptable, less to intervene in the conflicts that involve towards victims, and intolerance of col- hierarchical and more prepared to think the small countries. In these conflicts, the lateral damage. globally. It is not surprising that many development related with the technical The term „revolution in military issues” companies which are believed to have and organizational revolutions may not was initially formed as a reference to his- these characteristics are involved in com- be very significant. The tension between torical debates about main changes in war- mercial exploitation of new technologies. these two aspirations is actually the core fare, which occurred in 16th and 17th cen- RMI depends on their products, and they of this study. tury. Later on, the term was used to stress are often presented as a model which is Juliana Stojanova, PhD 58 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE “WOLVES” From 7 to 77 Your magazine is the best in the whole coun- Hello, try, completely devoted to your work which I like very much. You highlighted “the wolves” The introduction of columns that refer and their weapon in the best possible way. In to films, books and computer games re- other words, you are simply the best. Best re- freshes the magazine to great extent and gards to the special unit “wolves”, to your edi- makes it more interesting for reading to torship and to the Ministry of Defense of RM. all age groups. The only thing I can add is to ask you to proceed in the same way Greetings, and you have my whole support. Viktor Nikolov Vesna Jakimovska

Answer: Answer: Dear Viktor, Dear Vesna, Our gratitude for your kind words and have You have totally grasped the purpose of confidence that we will always dedicate sig- our newly introduced columns. This maga- nificant space in our magazine for the special zine is intended to the entire reading audi- operations regiment. ence therefore, you can always find topics interesting to everybody. Editorial board “Shield” Best bregards, editorial board “Shield”

BRAVO for “GLOBAL” Dear readers, Respectable editorship, In our new magazine, we are implement- I noticed that you have introduced a new col- ing a new kind of direct contact with umn “Global” which I think is a full hit. I really you - our respected audience. Taking in appreciate the articles referring to the inter- consideration that we value your opinion national organizations and together with the the most, we decided to dedicate this texts from the column “Magazine and Soft- page to you. Please send us your propos- ware” it is my favorite. als, opinions and criticism to our e-mail: [email protected] Ljupcho Stefanovski

Answer: Dear Ljupcho, The introduction of the column “Global” result- ed from the need to affirm the activities of the organizations on the global scene as well as to speak about the issues that concern us in global frames. We are grateful that you share our opinion that this is of great importance to the wider audience. Best regards, editorial board “Shield” STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL STRICTLY 09