Over 300 Slovak servicemen and women return home from their tours of duty abroad

A homecoming ceremony for 336 Slovak servicemen and women returning from their tours of duty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Cyprus, Iraq, and other countries in the Middle East, the military training missions in Belgium and Poland, and a naval mission in the Mediterranean took place on the parade square at the base in Levice, home to the Slovak Army's 13 Mechanised Battalion. At the homecoming event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák and Chief of Defence Daniel Zmeko gave their personal thanks to the military personnel for their dedicated service to and representation of Slovakia, in the presence of their families.

In his remarks, Defence Minister Rorbert Kaliňák said: “For several years, Slovak service personnel have proven themselves to be a significant asset to international missions and operations. Troop deployments outside of our homeland are, above all, a sign of togetherness, unity and solidarity with our Allies.” He continued: “The time has come for you to return to those who are dearest to you. Therefore, my greatest respect and thanks go to you for your service to the country.”

According to Minister Kaliňák, modernising the Slovak Armed Forces has been a priority for the MOD. To that end, the MOD wants to deliver high quality service training, manpower sustainability, advanced weapons procurement and modern infrastructure. “Knowing that families provide support to our soldiers to give good service to the country, we want to open the doors of the bases to military families. By improving infrastructure and building community life, we want our soldiers’ families to feel themselves to be part of the military family,” Mr Kaliňák said.

Since the establishment of an independent Slovakia on 1 January 1993, nearly 22,000 Slovak servicemen and women have rotated in and out of international missions and operations to date. To celebrate the latest homecoming of troops, some 300 soldiers were awarded operational medals and more than 100 of them received the War Veteran Commemorative Cross.