More than 3,400 participants, 500 vehicles and 40 aircraft of the Croatian Air Force will mark the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm and Victory Day , with a parade to be held in Zagreb.
Over 2,000 members of the Croatian Army's infantry units and other services gather daily at the Pleso military base, where they have been rehearsing for the historic parade for the past two weeks.
"It is an honor and pride for me to be here, to train with soldiers, NCOs and senior officers, and to participate in the parade," said Niko Tomić, a member of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion "Lightning", who will be the youngest participant in the military parade on July 31 in Zagreb.
And to ensure that everything goes smoothly on that day, the Croatian Army has been ramping up preparations and intensifying exercises for all units over the past two weeks. Every day, members of the HV infantry units, as well as members of other services, gather at the military base in Ples, in Velika Gorica, and march five times a day on a 2.4-kilometer route, which will be the length of the parade route through the streets of the Croatian capital.
Tomić is an 18-year-old who has always wanted to be a member of the Croatian Army, so, as he said, he reported for military service in October last year.
"In December, I completed my military service, completed my specialization, and here I am in the 2nd Mechanized Battalion "Gromovi". I think everyone should do military service, it's a bit tiring, but in the end, only pride prevails," he claimed.
The infantry formation will consist of 24 echelons, led by 200 flags from active combat units. Currently, 2,246 members of the formation are training in the barracks, of which 170 are women, and the total number of infantry formations in the parade will be 2,808, according to Major Dragan Košćak.
The infantry formation will consist of 24 echelons. At the head will be 200 flags of active war units, followed by members of historical units, cadets, conscripts and reservists. In addition to the Armed Forces, the parade will also be attended by five units of the Ministry of the Interior, members of the Police Academy, Civil Protection, the Croatian Firefighters Association and, for the first time, the Judicial Police.
When everyone stays at their levels, the length of the line will be about 1,800 meters.
"It is a great honor to participate in this parade in any way. The selected team is here, we are motivated and we can't wait for July 31st. For me personally, considering that I have several members in my family who participated in the war for the homeland, the parade and the anniversary of 'Storm' means a lot," says the commander of the Judicial Police echelon, Marko Cestarić.
Members of foreign armed forces are also participating in the parade. So far, the arrival of around 50 members of the armed forces from nine countries ( USA, Great Britain, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Lithuania... ) has been confirmed.
This day will also be special for Sergeant Damir Deduš, a member of the 1st Mechanized Armored Battalion "Sokolovi", who will march with his two sons. The youngest, who has just entered the Croatian Army, specifically "Sokolovi", and the eldest, who is a tank driver, is a member of the Tank Battalion "Kune" and is currently training in Udbina.
"Both sons chose this task in my honor, and as a member of the 1991 war, a volunteer, I can now retire with dignity because I am sure that the homeland remains in safe hands. Being in the parade is a pride and honor, to show the strength and training of the victorious army. We had nothing and we performed a miracle," says Deduš.
Starting a military career with a military parade really couldn't be better, says his son Sebastian. "It's an honor to be in the military, I've dreamed of it since I was little and I want to be here until I retire," he adds.
Participating in the parade and the anniversary of "Storm" also means a lot to Captain Antonela Križanović from the "Kune" tank battalion.
"We will show our strength, new weapons and new members. It is an honor to be here in honor of the fallen Croatian defenders, all those who gave their lives for our freedom, and in honor of my father, who was a member of the Special Unit "Hell's Angels" of the Šima Unit in Slavonski Brod. This is just a call, sometimes it is difficult because I am the mother of two small children, but with the support of my family, everything is possible," she emphasized.
When motorized and mechanized formations with more than 500 combat and non-combat vehicles are added together, a total of over 3,400 members of the aforementioned formations will participate in the ceremonial military parade.
The military parade will begin at 17:00 and a spectacular flight program will take place in the sky over Zagreb, in which more than 40 aircraft from the Croatian Air Force and the Ministry of the Interior will participate, from helicopters and airplanes to the most modern multi-role Rafale fighter jets.
New weapons and modern military equipment will also be presented, such as Bayraktar drones, Leopard tanks and small combat drones.
Citizens will also have the opportunity to follow the Croatian Navy parade via live broadcast, where various ships and vessels will be displayed. (A2 Televizion)
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