09.01.2017.
Seeing SAF contingent off to multinational operation MINUSCA
The fifth contingent of the Serbian Armed Forces has been officially seen off today at “Banjica 2” barracks in Belgrade to the UN mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The ceremony was attended by the Serbian Armed Forces Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Jovica Draganic with members of the extended Collegium of Chief of General Staff, representatives of the organizational units of the Ministry of Defence and families and friends of our peacekeepers.70 members of the Serbian Armed Forces will be sent to the Central African Republic. In the next six months they will be engaged within the military hospital in medical care of the forces in the mission MINUSCA.
The Commander of Serbian contingent will be Colonel Dragan Antic whereas the Commander of the military hospital in this rotation will be Lieutenant Colonel Veljko Milic, PhD.
General Draganic stressed that Serbian soldiers and medical personnel are recognized in missions as highly professional, honourable and responsible and they set high standards in work and behavior for their colleagues in the mission and new contingents of our Armed Forces, thus giving a contribution to the reputation of Serbia in the world.“It has been two years since the Serbian Armed Forces started to engage in the UN mission in the Central African Republic military observers, staff officers and the military hospital in charge of medical care of several thousand members of the forces in the mission. During the past two years doctors and medical technicians of our military hospital have done medical examinations of more than 20,000 patients, cured more than 1,300 people affected by malaria, have conducted 210 complex surgery and 140 medical evacuation, have done 2,400 dentist examinations and have taken care of 620 different injuries of the UN members”, General Draganic said and told the “blue berets” going to the mission to continue the successful system of work of the military hospital established by their colleagues in the previous four rotations.
“In the area of operation you will perform responsible duties on medical care of the forces members in the mission – you will rescue lives. The work in the mission will pose a great challenge in your personal and professional life, having in mind that you will execute tasks in the multinational surroundings, in an unfamiliar field, in unfavourable climate conditions, far from you closest ones”, Deputy Chief of General Staff emphasized.During the ceremony, General Draganic handed over the national flag of the Republic of Serbia to the Commander of Serbian contingent Colonel Antic with the words “may you carry it highly and proudly in the Central African Republic”.
Earlier today, the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic has wished a good trip and success in the mission to the members of Serbian contingent.
Pointing out a very important fact that there are people in the contingent who have been engaged in this and other missions, General Dikovic said that they should use the precious experience in the performance of tasks.“Your leaders are experienced and they know their job and you can believe them. Believe yourselves and your capabilities, be disciplined and responsible and take care primarily of your health and security while performing tasks”, General Dikovic added.
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