FORT DRUM, New York –
Members of the North Macedonian army are training through combined operations with the 186th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) here, from Aug. 4 and scheduled to stay until Aug. 19.
Both Maj. Zoran Milenkoski, commander of the supply and transport center, and Maj. Ljupco Karanfilovski, maintenance officer in the joint operations command, in the North Macedonian army are working with the 186th BSB to learn and observe various operations and to compare with the American forces how they perform those same operations at home.
Many of the observations have been on operations that Milenkowski and Karanfilovski already perform, but they are now able to see different tactics and methods and can view the operations on a different scale.
“This type of experience is good for us,” Milenkowski said. “A good chance to learn how the army does this kind of thing. We are all logistical soldiers, but do things differently. Each army has a different way to support units, the change of experience is good for both sides.”
Milenkowski and Karanfilovski are not the only members of the North Macedonian army currently training with the 186th BSB; other North Macedonian service members are actively training with other units. This type of combined training is fairly common, said Capt. Mark Bowen, of the 186th BSB. The Vermont National Guard has a relationship with North Macedonia as part of the State Partnership Program.
“I think it’s been a great experience,” said Bowen. “A good exchange of information we both can learn from each other.”