The 1st Mechanized Battalion "Sokolovi" (Lit: Falcons) (Croatian: 1. mehanizirana bojna "Sokolovi") is one of two mechanized infantry battalions within the Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade (GOMBR) of the Croatian Army.
| 1st Mechanized Battalion "Falcons" 1. mehanizirana bojna "Sokolovi" | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2007-present |
| Country |  Croatia |
| Branch |  Croatian Army |
| Role | Mechanized infantry |
| Part of |  Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | 132nd Brigade barracks Našice Eastern Croatia |
| Nickname(s) | Falcons Sokolovi |
History
editEstablished in its current form, following the reorganisation of the Croatian Armed Forces in 2007, the 1st Mechanized Battalion was created with the merging of the 3rd Guards Brigade "Kune" and 5th Guards Brigade "Sokolovi".
Organisation
editGarrisoned at 132nd Brigade barracks in Našice in eastern Croatia, the battalion comprises three mechanized infantry companies, a command company, a logistics company and a fire support company.[1]
Operations
editIn the past, members of the 1st Mechanized Battalion have deployed members in support of the NATO ISAF mission in Afghanistan, as part of the Croatian Contingent (HRVCON), and to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission in the Golan Heights.[2]
Equipment
editThe 1st Mechanized Battalion is equipped with armoured vehicles and various infantry weapons of Yugoslav origin.[3][4]
- BVP M-80A Infantry Fighting Vehicle
- BOV Armoured Personnel Carrier
- POLO M-83 anti-tank vehicle armed with 6 x AT-3 missiles
- Mercedes Benz G-Wagen
- 120mm M75 Light Mortar
References
edit- ^ "Od američkih partnera dobivamo pohvale za sudjelovanje u aktivnosti u Poljskoj". Hrvatski vojnik (in Croatian). 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
- ^ Parlov, Leida (2017). "Mehanizirana bojna Sokolovi" (PDF). Hrvatski Vojnik. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Dan otvorenih vrata u Vojarni 132. brigade Hrvatske vojske Našice". TV Nasice.com (in Croatian). Retrieved 2020-01-12.
- ^ ""Sokolovi" obilježavaju Dan Oružanih snaga i Dan Hrvatske kopnene vojske". Radio Našice 88,7 FM (in Croatian). 2019-05-25. Retrieved 2020-01-12.