Armed Forces deploy 2 contingents to Afghanistan

: Published: Wednesday, 31 May 2017 11:43

In the Ministry of Defense was held the ceremony to see off two contingents of the Armed Forces to the NATO military operation, Resolute Support Mission, in Kabul and Herat, Afghanistan.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence, Ms. Mimi Kodheli, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Dedë Prenga, force commanders, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in our country, Sinan Cem Baş, the Italian Defence Attaché in Tirana, as representatives of the two countries under whose command the Albanian servicemen will be.

Land Force Commander, Brigadier General, Nazmi Cahani highlighted the hardship of these missions; however, he asked the Albanian military members to show their best skills and values, in order to honor the Albanian flag.

On her part, Minister Kodheli praised the engagement of the Albanian soldiers in Afghanistan for 15 years, and the contribution of our country to the fight against terrorism. "As part of the Alliance, with which we share the values of freedom and democracy, we do not manifest only solidarity with victims of terrorism, but we contribute actively to the fight against it."

Minister Kodheli praised the preparation of these two contingents and expressed special support for them and their families during the engagement in the operation. "Already, following the successful engagement in NATO Very High Readiness Task Force, we send the first company's military members. They participated successfully in NATO "Trident Juncture - 15" Exercise with high visibility in Capo Teulada, Italy, as well as in other deployment exercises in Poland, or Germany. "

At the end of her speech, Minister Kodheli also thanked the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey and Italy for the unsparing support for the Albanian Armed Forces deployed in operations abroad.

The two Albanian contingents are part of the 1st Company "Lion-hearted" of 2nd Infantry Battalion, who will serve for a six-month period in Kabul under the command of the Turkish Armed Forces, and in Herat under the command of the Italian Armed Forces.