President Milanović Attends Joint Military Exercise of Croatian and US Special Forces and Cadet Training at Barracks in Udbina
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović visited on Friday the “Marko Babić” Leadership Development Centre in the “Josip Jović“ barracks in Udbina.
President Milanović in Udbina observed a joint military exercise of the special forces of the Croatian and US armies, whose goal was an exchange of experience and know-how. Participating in the military exercise were members of the Special Forces Command, Intelligence Regiment, Croatian Air Force, Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, and members of the United States Special Forces Group and Special Operations Squadron. Moreover, he observed part of the training of the 18th generation of cadets of the military studies programme who receive their final training in Udbina. The final two-week training included 76 cadets, men and women, majoring in Military Leadership and Management, and Military Engineering.
Observing the joint military exercise and training in the “Marko Babić” Leadership Development Centre in the “Josip Jović“ barracks in Udbina alongside President Milanović were: the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, the Commander of the Croatian Army Lieutenant General Boris Šerić, the Deputy Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy Brigadier General Blaž Beretin, the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command Brigadier General Željko Ljubas, the Commander of the Special Forces Command Colonel Ivan Miloš, the Commander of the Leadership Development Centre Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Vukelić, the First NCO Sergeant Major Dražen Klanjec, the Aide-de-camp to the President of the Republic Vlado Čulina, and the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defence and National Security Dragan Lozančić.
The “Marko Babić” Leadership Development Centre is the Croatian Army’s leading training centre whose primary focus is application of tactics to small units. The Centre’s task is to develop leaders based on the experience acquired in the Homeland War and developed standards, and develop highly motivated, trained and competent leaders by implementing training while respecting new challenges and needs. The concept of leadership development is carried out by applying three domains: combat skills, leadership and psychophysical endurance. To this day 269 students have completed training at the Centre, and 50 students are currently undergoing training at the Centre.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia /Ana Marija Katić