TAMPA, Fla.—On Feb. 1, a reception on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Armenia’s armed forces was organized at the US CENTCOM Coalition Coordination Center (CCC), Mac Dill Air Force Base.
The event brought together high-ranking officers and civilian officials from more than 60 countries, including top U.S. Armed Forces representatives of US CENTCOM.
Lieutenant Colonel A. Mkrtchyan, Armenian Armed Forces representative for U.S. Central Command, delivered opening remarks and presented the Armenian Army’s history.
U.S. Central Command Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Karl Horst, then extended his well wishes to Armenia’s armed forces, and said he highly appreciated the Armenian military contingent’s participation in the security and stability operations in Afghanistan.
Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, the pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church in Pinellas Park, offered remarks on the common strengths of Armenia’s army and its partners based on protecting freedoms of religion, conscience, and human rights.
Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, the visiting pastor of St. Haroutiun Church in Orlando, offered the traditional prayer before meals and blessing for all who serve and protect.
Twenty years ago, the armed forces of the newly independent Republic of Armenia were created and were charged with a critical task: defend the Armenian borders and people, and win a major war.
As of today, the Armenian Armed Forces are actively involved in international military cooperation, including peacekeeping and stabilizing operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Armenia proudly accomplished the task, with U.S. and Polish troops, in Iraq in 2008.
The Armenian Armed Forces will spare no effort to preserve peace and security for themselves and for its allies and partners around the world.
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