Minister of Defence thanks Rožňava-based soldiers for supporting nation's response to pandemic

Today (19 June 2021), the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Battalion Rožňava hosted a special thank you ceremony where Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď along with Vladimír Zajačik MP and Head of the Rožňava County Office Jaroslav Šíp thanked the Rožňava-based military personnel for supporting the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The head of the MOD was keen to learn more about the needs of soldiers, their experience and expertise in combating the spread of COVID-19, and the state of local equipment and infrastructure.

Praising the CBRN Defence Battalion and the MLRS Battalion in the national response to the pandemic, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank all members of both military units based in Rožňava who, alongside their colleagues from other military units, participated in carrying out very important domestic crisis management tasks – to the benefit of protecting the health and lives of our citizens. Your efforts and determination were visible to the citizens of our country day in and day out over the entire course of the pandemic. For this reason, it is important to invest in equipment and infrastructure in Rožňava, and I am pleased to confirm that extensive investment projects have already been launched and that the investment we are going to make in the defence infrastructure in Rožňava will be worth millions of euros this year and next year. Unlike the empty promises [of previous governments], our soldiers can see real improvements to the environment in which they work and to the equipment they work with.“

The day-to-day commitment and assistance of Rožňava-based soldiers at the Rožňava Hospital to take the pressure off hospital staff were appreciated by Director of the Rožňava Hospital Dušan Suchý. The Minister also spoke with Regional Hygienist Jozef Varga about the incidence rates in the region, asked about ways how the military could help in the event of negative developments, and praised the Regional Health Authority's vaccination campaign across the county's towns and villages.

The CBRN Defence Battalion Rožňava can deploy its assets and forces to support military operations, to assist with Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) requests from the Ministry of Interior and civil authorities in eliminating chemical, biological and nuclear threats, and to aid the national response to environmental accidents and natural disasters. Among the Battalion's basic tasks is to decontaminate people, facilities, equipment and material.

The Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Battalion Rožňava is a SVK Army tactical unit tasked with protecting the vital interests of the State and its Allies against all military and non-military threats. The Battalion is ready to deploy its forces and assets across Slovakia in order to deliver national defence in line with the SVK Armed Forces Deployment Plan and to support international crisis management operations.