Guards Mechanized Brigade (Croatia) Explained

Unit Name:	Guards Mechanized Brigade
Native Name:	Gardijska mehanizirana brigada (GMBR)
Dates:	2007–present
Country:	Croatia
Branch:	Croatian Army
Type:	Mechanized infantry
Size:	Brigade
Garrison:	Knin
Equipment:	126 x Patria AMV 52 x Iveco LMV 44 x Oshkosh M-ATV 40 x International MaxxPro 24 x BOV-3 24 x D-20
Commander1:	Brigadier General Mladen Fuzul
Commander2 Label:	Chief of Staff
Commander3 Label:	Command Sergeant Major
Identification Symbol Label:	Badge of the GMBR

The Guards Mechanized Brigade is one of the two main tactical components of the Croatian Army. The brigade is based in southern Croatia with main headquarters in Knin.

History

The Brigade was formed following a major restructuring of the Croatian Army. The four main brigades and reserve brigades were merged into four battalions which were each designated one of their badges and nicknames and continue their predecessor brigade's lineage and traditions.

Main role

The Brigade's main role is defence of Croatia's territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as participating in NATO and international peace-keeping operations, as well as planning and conducting staff and unit training in accordance with domestic and international commitments of the Republic of Croatia.

Main tasks

• Plan and conduct the tasks related to military operations;
• Prepare training and activity with accordance of domestic defence doctrine;
• Organize, conduct, evaluate and analyze training of subunits in order to achieve mission tasks;
• Take part in national and international military operations, exercises and military cooperation;
• Provide information and reports to the higher headquarters concerning implementation of training and activity plans;
• Provide assistance to state and municipal institutions by responding to threats of a non-military nature;
• Maintain close relationship with the local community and participate in their activities.

Structure

• Mechanized Guards Brigade, Knin
  • HQ Company, Knin
  • 1st Mechanized Battalion "Tigers", Petrinja (Patria AMV)
  • 2nd Mechanized Battalion "Thunders", Petrinja (Patria AMV)
  • 3rd Mechanized Battalion "Spiders", Knin (Patria AMV)
  • Motorized Battalion "Wolves", Gospić (Oshkosh)
  • Artillery Battalion, Slunj (D-30 RH M94 122mm howitzers and APR–40 122mm multiple rocket launchers)
  • Air Defence Battalion, Benkovac
  • Engineer Battalion, Sinj
  • Reconnaissance Company, Knin
  • Signal Company, Knin
  • Logistic Company, Knin

Deployments

Elements of the Brigade have been deployed to Golan Heights on UNDOF^{[1] [2]} and to Afghanistan as part of ISAF.^[3]

See also

• 1st Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 2nd Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 4th Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 7th Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 9th Guards Brigade (Croatia)

External links

• Article about GMB in Hrvatski vojnik, January 2009

Notes and References

1. News: 10th CAF UNDOF Contingent readiness evaluation. 19 September 2012. MORH.
2. News: 10. HRVCON SPREMAN ZA MISIJU. Hrvatski vojnik. September 2012. Croatian. 2013-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20130827153811/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/4052012/undof.asp. 2013-08-27. dead.
3. News: U RATU I U MIRU - ZA HRVATSKU KAO TIGAR. Hrvatski vojnik. January 2009. Croatian. 2013-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20090221024958/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/2232009/tigrovi.asp. 2009-02-21. dead.