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Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces (Kazakhstan)

Chief of the Air Force (Kazakhstan)

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72nd Special Forces Battalion

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Nigerian Army Special Operations Command

List of military special forces units#Nigeria

Nigerian Army Special Operations Command
Distinctive unit insignia of USASOC Headquarters
Founded	1 December 1989 (1989-12-01)
Country	Nigeria
Branch	Nigerian Army
Type	Special warfare operations
Role	Organize, train, educate, man, equip, fund, administer, mobilize, deploy and sustain U.S. Army special operations forces to successfully conduct worldwide special warfare operations.
Size	33,805 personnel authorized: 32,552 military personnel 1,253 civilian personnel
Part of	U.S. Special Operations Command
Headquarters	Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
Motto	"Sine Pari" (Without Equal)
Color of Beret	Tan   Maroon   Rifle green
Engagements	Invasion of Panama Persian Gulf War Unified Task Force Operation Gothic Serpent Battle of Mogadishu Operation Uphold Democracy War on terror War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Website	Official Website
Commanders
Current commander	LTG Lawrence G. Ferguson
Notable commanders	LTG Jonathan P. Braga LTG Francis M. Beaudette LTG Kenneth E. Tovo Robert W. Wagner Edward M. Reeder Jr. John F. Mulholland Jr. Charles T. Cleveland
Insignia
Combat service identification badge (metallic version of USASOC"s shoulder sleeve insignia)	The stylized spearhead alludes to the SSI worn by the 1st Special Service Force and signifies the heritage and traditions of USASOC. The unsheathed Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife symbolizes total military preparedness and has long been associated with Army special operation forces.
Beret flash of the command

The Nigerian Army Special Operations Command (NASOC) is the command charged with overseeing the various special operations forces of the United States Army. Headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, it is the largest component of the United States Special Operations Command. It is an Army Service Component Command. Its mission is to organize, train, educate, man, equip, fund, administer, mobilize, deploy and sustain Army special operations forces to successfully conduct worldwide special oper

Subordinate units.

The is a specialized formation of the Nigerian Army established to conduct special operations, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and other high-risk missions requiring precision, speed, and low visibility. The command was officially announced on 13 January 2014 during a Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Lessons Learned Exchange between Nigeria and the United States.

History

The establishment of NASOC emerged from growing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in the country’s northeast, as well as persistent threats such as oil theft, militancy, and transnational crime. The creation of the command followed years of military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, including capacity-building initiatives focused on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, civil–military relations, and strategic communications.

Despite Nigeria’s role as a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations and its status as a key U.S. security partner in West Africa, bilateral military cooperation experienced periods of strain. U.S. security assistance was reduced following Congressionally imposed sanctions related to the October 2001 Benue massacre, which were lifted in 2004, and concerns surrounding Nigeria’s internal security operations. Additional friction stemmed from the Leahy Amendment, which requires U.S. authorities to vet foreign military personnel for human rights violations before providing training or assistance.

These challenges contributed to skepticism within segments of the Nigerian military regarding externally driven programs. Nonetheless, continued engagement between the Nigerian Army and U.S. defense institutions ultimately supported the development of NASOC as a Nigerian-led initiative tailored to domestic security needs.

Establishment and Purpose

The Chief of Army Staff at the time, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, announced the formation of NASOC in Abuja, stating that the command would enhance the Nigerian Army’s ability to defeat Boko Haram and address other internal security threats. He emphasized that a dedicated special operations command would make military operations more efficient and cost-effective over the long term.

The Nigerian Army’s Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Major General Ibrahim Sani, described NASOC as a necessary response to evolving and unpredictable security challenges. He noted that the command aligned with the Army’s transformation vision, which sought to build a force capable of addressing contemporary threats.

International Cooperation

The United States has played a supporting role in the development of NASOC through U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA), and the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. Assistance has included training support and limited equipment provision, subject to U.S. legal and policy constraints.

In May 2014, U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) personnel conducted training for a Nigerian Ranger Battalion as part of broader efforts to enhance Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities. This marked one of the first instances in which U.S. forces trained Nigerian units for direct domestic operational readiness rather than exclusively for peacekeeping deployments.

Operational Context

NASOC was established amid escalating violence linked to Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram. The insurgency led to widespread casualties, displacement, and allegations of human rights abuses by both insurgents and security forces.

In response, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States in May 2013, later extending it in November 2013. Joint Task Forces composed of military, police, and other security agencies conducted operations across multiple states, including Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, and Taraba.

Human rights organizations and civil society groups accused security forces of extrajudicial killings and abuse during these operations. While Nigeria’s constitution prohibits such practices, accountability mechanisms were widely viewed as ineffective during this period.

Related Commands and Developments

4 Special Forces Command

The 4 Special Forces (SF) Command operates as part of Nigeria’s broader special operations framework. On 13 November 2025, Major General Olurotimi Azubuike Awolo assumed command of 4 SF Command at its headquarters in Doma, Nasarawa State.

During his assumption of duty, Major General Awolo emphasized professionalism, discipline, and mutual respect within the command. He stated that the unit would continue to support Nigerian Army operations nationwide, focusing on unconventional warfare and rapid response missions. The 4 SF Command consists of highly mobile brigades and special operations battalions deployed across the country.

Mandate

NASOC and its affiliated formations are mandated to:

• Execute special and unconventional warfare
• Support conventional Nigerian Army units
• Respond rapidly to emerging security threats
• Enhance Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capacity

See also

• Nigerian Army Special Operations Command

Powers

The Prime Minister leads the Government and coordinates the activity of its members, respecting their duties:

• presides over the meetings of the Government and its Presidium;
• in exceptional cases, makes decisions on issues of governance of the Republic of Moldova within the limits of the competence of the Government and informs the Government about it at its ordinary meeting;
• ensures collegiality in the Government's activity;
• forms the Government and proposes its composition in the established manner;
• grants powers for the negotiation and signing of international treaties of the Republic of Moldova;
• orders the Prime Minister's Control Body to carry out control over the efficient and timely implementation by the specialized central public administration of the responsibilities assigned to it;
• submits for examination to the Presidium of the Government or puts before the President of the Republic of Moldova the issue of stimulating or applying disciplinary sanctions against the member of the Government;
• if one of the ministers does not exercise his or her powers in accordance with the legislation, he or she has the right to submit a proposal to the President of the Republic of Moldova regarding the dismissal of this minister;
• informs the President of the Republic of Moldova on issues of particular importance for the country

State Chancellery

The State Chancellery of Moldova (Cancelaria de Stat) is a key government body that coordinates policy, ensures legal compliance, manages the Cabinet of Ministers, and oversees public administration reforms, including EU integration and transparency initiatives, working to modernize public services and align with European standards. It acts as a central coordinating entity, supporting ministries, implementing action plans, and managing overall government operations and quality management within the public sector.

Key Functions & Responsibilities

• Policy & Legal Coordination: Ensures draft laws and policies meet standards, develops policy plans, and provides opinions on documents.
• Cabinet Support: Organizes Cabinet meetings, manages records, and arranges activities for the Council of Ministers.
• Public Administration Reform: Leads efforts in quality management (like the CAF model) and civil service modernization.
• Transparency & Participation: Initiates legal reforms for transparent decision-making and public consultation.
• European Integration: The Bureau for European Integration (BEI), a part of the Chancellery, coordinates Moldova's EU accession process

List of Prime Ministers

University of Military Security and Defense

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Republic Day
A banner in honor of the 40th anniversary of the GDR in 1989.
Observed by	GDR
Type	State
Significance	Commemorating the anniversary of the Foundation of East Germany
Celebrations	Fireworks, Concerts, Parades
Date	7 October

Liberation Day ( German:  Tag der Befreiung ) is a memorial day observed in Germany on 8 May , the anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht and the end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945. In 1950–1966 and in 1985 in the GDR, this day was celebrated as a public holiday.

May 8, 1965.

At the honorary parade of the National People's Army (NVA) and the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (GSFG) on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the liberation from fascism in Berlin, NVA vehicles with their own official insignia were used for the first time. These official insignia on NVA vehicles were introduced in January 1964, after having been first observed in the autumn of 1963 during the Quartet maneuver. All vehicles received the following official insignia as their identifying mark: a round symbol with a diameter of 20 cm, a black-red-gold background, and the state coat of arms with hammer and compass in the center. However, it was not until the early 1970s that the official insignia became standard on all NVA vehicles.

75 years separate us from a great holiday—Victory Day of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany. A holiday whose significance will not fade with the passing of time, no matter how much some try to downplay its role and the heroism of the Soviet soldier.

Many older people know about the parade that took place on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 1965. However, most citizens of our country have not heard of the grand parade that took place in eastern Berlin, the capital of the GDR, on May 8, 1965, featuring mechanized units from the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany.

A direct participant in that long-ago parade, retired lieutenant colonel Anatoly Shpuy, shared his memories of it with us.

Anatoly Mikhailovich comes from a family of military men. His father, Mikhail Shpuy, a fighter pilot, participated in the liberation of Western Ukraine and Western Belarus in 1939, fought in the Baltics in 1940, and served in Kremenchuk. During the Great Patriotic War, he fought from Stalingrad to Vienna, the capital of Austria.

"I was born on the eve of the war, and I lived with my mother and grandmother for over two years in Dnepropetrovsk, occupied by the Nazis. My father liberated us in October 1943, serving with the 3rd Ukrainian Front. In my youth, I was fascinated by the natural sciences and wanted to be a surgeon. After school, I applied to the Medical Institute, but failed the competition. Having managed to obtain a TV and radio technician's qualifications and work at a radio factory before being drafted, after being drafted into the Soviet Army in 1960, having received both technical and specialized training, I was assigned to a missile division in the newly formed Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) and, immediately after taking the oath, was appointed head of the radio station of a command and staff vehicle. After completing my military service, I planned to continue my studies at the Medical Institute, but life had other plans. In April 1961, my father fell seriously ill, and my sister and brother were growing up. So, deciding not to waste time, I applied to the Gorky Military School of Communications to continue supporting my parents. After graduating in 1964 with honors, I left to serve in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. Serving in the GSVG was both honorable and challenging. It was the most combat-ready and highly mobile military unit in the Soviet Army.

In early April 1965, I, a 23-year-old lieutenant and commander of a radio platoon in the MSD communications battalion, along with Vladimir Zinevich, a second-class driver-mechanic and a third-year corporal named Vladimir Zinevich, were assigned to the Parade Crew Group for the 20th Anniversary Victory Day Parade as part of a BTR-50PU crew. By chance, our crew was assigned to the parade commander, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany (GSVG), Hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel General Pyotr Belik. At that time, a large number of war veterans, including Heroes of the Soviet Union, served in the GSVG. In addition to Pyotr Belik, our crew on the armored vehicle included two other colonels holding the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. I don't remember their names anymore, as I had little contact with them. I spoke with Pyotr Alekseyevich quite often, and despite the fact that I was only a lieutenant, he was friendly and responsive to Vladimir and me. The participation of our mechanized units in the parade was given great political significance: at the time, it was the first post-war parade involving Soviet units. Addressing the parade crew, Colonel General Pyotr Belik said that we had been entrusted with a great honor, which we must live up to. We must show all of Europe that, even after 20 years, the Soviet Army is ready to defend peace on earth. This means that not a single vehicle, not a single tank, can suddenly stop. "No one will kill you for this, but this is tantamount to political assassination"—I've remembered that phrase for the rest of my life.

Preparations for the parade lasted for several weeks, initially at a former Nazi airfield on a concrete runway outside Berlin. Since our BTR-50PU was at the head of the column, I set the pace during all training, monitoring the speed from the commander's hatch. This, of course, was a great honor for the young lieutenant.

On April 30, we loaded onto platforms and departed for Berlin, where we were quartered in the Karlshorst military town, in the same area where the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Nazi Germany was signed on May 8, 1945, at 10:00 PM Central European Time. As you may already understand, this is why we celebrate Victory Day on May 9—at that time, it was midnight in Moscow on May 9.

Our further training proceeded as follows. One night, the entire parade unit marched on foot, one after another, the entire distance from Karlshorst to Karl Marx Square in the city center, a distance of approximately 6-8 kilometers. This was necessary so that each driver and crew commander could familiarize themselves with the challenging road conditions. The roads were paved with asphalt, cobblestone, and railroad tracks, with sharp turns. Cobblestone surfaces, known as "soapstone," are especially dangerous for tracked vehicles. A slight distraction could cause the vehicle to spin out so badly it could knock down the corner of a house. Incidentally, we encountered this during our very first night training session, but Volodya handled the situation. The problem was that our APC's tracks were bald, but the required lifespan for replacing them had not yet been exhausted. However, after I reported the situation to Pyotr Belik, new ones were delivered to us that same day.

The dress rehearsal took place on May 6th. Upon returning to Karlshorst, the equipment was serviced, refueled with ceremonial fuel (from the Soviet Union, we were told), our armored personnel carrier was sealed, and handed over to the guard for protection.

While preparing the equipment, I had to put my seamstress skills to good use. To avoid wearing a helmet, I sewed laryngophones for the transport hub under the collar of Colonel General Belik's shirt so he could give commands. May 7th was a day off for everyone. My dormmate and I went into town, saw the animals at the famous Berlin Zoo, visited Treptower Park, and strolled through the city center.

On the sunny morning of May 8th, we rose early, as we were supposed to be at our starting point by 9:30. So, we started the engines, warmed them up, and moved through the city streets. Silence, not a single person! What was going on? It later turned out that the disciplined Germans had cleared our route ahead of time of anything that could impede the movement of their vehicles, while they themselves stayed home.

At 10:00 a.m. the parade of units and subdivisions of the GDR National People's Army began.

First came the foot columns of military units and educational institutions, along with the paramilitary volunteer battalions, followed by the military equipment of the National People's Army of the GDR. Then came our turn. And here I'd like to draw your attention to the fuel for the vehicles. When the Germans started their engines, as always, smoke billowed from the diesels. When we started ours, fueled with our native Soviet fuel, only a faint blue smoke rose...

And now our lead BTR-50PU is already in the square. The roar of engines and the rumble of tracks drown out the joyful cries of "Friendship!" "Freundschaft!" from the stands, and... flowers are falling on the armor!!! At the parade, we demonstrated the military equipment and weapons that were in service with the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany at the time. Invited leaders of the communist and workers' parties, as well as heads of state from Warsaw Pact countries, were present in the stands. Among the honored guests representing the Soviet Union were Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Alexei Kosygin and the first cosmonaut of the USSR and the world, Hero of the Soviet Union Yuri Gagarin.

Our return to Karlshorst took three hours, despite being escorted by police and GDR National People's Army patrols. The streets were overflowing with people, we were frequently stopped, pelted with flowers, people tried to climb onto the armor, and pioneers tied their blue ties on us…

And so ended that memorable day for me. A day later, accompanied by GDR police motorcyclists, we left Berlin and arrived in Bernau, where our communications battalion was stationed. Volodya Zinevich was awarded the qualification of "first-class driver-mechanic" by order of the Commander-in-Chief. The entire parade crew was awarded the jubilee medal "20 Years of Victory." A few days later, I was sent home on early leave, so I celebrated my 24th birthday with family and friends in Dnepropetrovsk.

Unfortunately, as I've already mentioned, there's virtually no footage of the Berlin Parade of May 8, 1965, available in open sources. I couldn't find any on YouTube or in any other media. Five years ago, I managed to find a video report, less than a minute long, from a combination of our own and Czech newsreels, at the State Film Archive in Krasnogorsk. Unfortunately, Volodya Zinevich and I aren't visible. I captured some footage with my personal Smena-2 camera. That's the kind of simple but excellent lens we had back then. When I returned on vacation, I immediately bought myself a Zorki-4.

At that time, service in the Armed Forces was considered an honorable duty for every citizen of the Soviet state. There was no hazing in the army. And we, the soldiers, were seen as defenders of the socialist system. We all strove to excel in combat and political training, to be top specialists, and to serve with dignity and honor. Moreover, many of our fathers had fought in Germany and won victory. My father, Yegor Savelyevich Vorontsov, served in the 525th Pomeranian Rifle Regiment of the 171st Rifle Division of the 1st Belorussian Front, reaching Berlin. He was awarded the medals "For the Liberation of Warsaw," "For the Capture of Berlin," "For Courage," the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st Class, and numerous commendations from Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin.

My crew member, Corporal Nikolai Vorotkov, and I, as one of the best in the military unit, were given the great honor of taking part in the military parade in honor of the 20th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which took place in Berlin on May 8, 1965. It became historic, as no more parades were held in Berlin.

Petr Vorontsov conducts drill exercises with his squad.

Preparations began a month in advance and took place in strict secrecy at Schönefeld Airfield near Berlin. The parade itself was memorable for its magnificent sunny weather. It passed along the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, and the central Karl Marx Square (Friedrich Platz). Throughout the entire route, we were greeted by Berliners with flowers, flags, smiles, and applause.

The first secretaries of the Central Committees of the Communist Parties of the socialist countries, Jarosław Gomułka, János Kádár, Nicolae Ceauşescu, Josip Broz Tito, Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal, and other distinguished guests from many countries, were invited to the parade. Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, reviewed the parade. Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR A.N. Kosygin attended the parade, and the first Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, was among the distinguished guests.

The parade showcased the military equipment used by our troops serving in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and other fraternal countries. We were proud to represent the Soviet Union, the might and combat readiness of our army, and to be worthy successors to the glorious traditions of the liberating soldiers—our grandfathers and fathers.

After the Victory Day parade, we enjoyed a concert by renowned artists, including Tarapunka and Shtepsel (Timoshenko and Berezina). The parade participants also took a tour of Treptower Park.

Marshals of the Soviet Union Vasily Chuikov and Andrei Grechko inspect the brigade. 1965.

During the three years that I served in Germany, as secretary of the Komsomol organization of the brigade's command battery, I had the opportunity to go on an excursion to the Ravensbrück and Sexenhausen concentration camps, to the cities of Leipzig, Potsdam, and to the Dresden Art Gallery.

During my service, I graduated from the regimental school in the village of Medved, Novgorod Oblast, and in 1965, I completed a two-month reserve officer course at military unit 66553. I was in the same platoon as Sergeant Gennady Zyuganov. After demobilization, I was promoted to junior lieutenant in the reserve. For my achievements in service, combat and political training, and exemplary military discipline, I was awarded a short-term leave to return to my homeland. I was photographed next to the brigade's unfurled Red Banner, and I was awarded the Honorary Certificate of the Komsomol Central Committee and the "20 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War" medal.

Petr Egorovich Vorontsov

After demobilization, he worked in education, teaching basic military training. From 1972 to 1976, he worked at Schools No. 50 and No. 70 in the Southern Group of Forces in Hungary, teaching mathematics and basic military training. He then worked as a district school inspector, principal of Novosokolnicheskaya Secondary School, and later, until his retirement, as a mathematics and life safety teacher at Secondary School No. 72.

I am pleased to congratulate our dear participants of the Great Patriotic War, veterans, and all those who served in the Armed Forces in those distant years and who continue to serve today, on this great holiday – Victory Day! I wish you and your families good health and long life!

Historical background

During negotiations at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces ( SHAEF ) in Reims on May 7, the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces was agreed upon and contractually signed there. The date for the cessation of all hostilities in Europe was set for May 8 at 11:01 p.m.

German armed forces, however, continued their hostilities against Soviet troops. To formally end the fighting between Soviet and German troops, the commanders-in-chief of the various branches of the Wehrmacht countersigned the declaration of surrender late in the evening of May 8th at the Soviet headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst (now the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum ) . This process lasted until shortly after midnight. Because it was already two hours later in Moscow at that time due to the time zone difference, May 9th is celebrated as Victory Day in the Soviet Union and its successor states (all except Ukraine) .

A partial surrender of the three German armies operating in Northwest Germany was declared on May 4, 1945, at Timeloberg near Wendisch Evern to British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery , and came into effect the following day at 8:00 a.m. The signing of the unconditional surrender, as well as the partial surrender, had previously been authorized by the last Reich President, Karl Dönitz , who had fled to Flensburg - Mürwik with the last Reich government . The Mürwik special zone was not occupied until May 23, and the government there was arrested.

Federal Republic of Germany

Unlike in the GDR, May 8th was not a point of reference in the early Federal Republic of Germany's politics of remembrance and otherwise received little public attention. May 8, 1955, was overshadowed by the entry into force of the Paris Agreements (May 5th to 9th, 1955) and the resulting restoration of sovereignty. The tenth anniversary of the military surrender was mentioned in this context "as the beginning of a development that ended with the restoration of sovereignty, but not as an independent date."  The social-liberal coalition under Willy Brandt was the first federal government to issue an official government statement in the German Bundestag on May 8, 1970, to mark the 25th anniversary .  Representatives of the CDU/CSU opposition attempted to prevent this, declaring "Defeats are not celebrated" and "Shame and guilt do not deserve recognition."  On the 20th anniversary, Chancellor Ludwig Erhard had already read a statement on radio and television in which, on the occasion of the “day of the German capitulation”, he emphasized that the “military collapse” had been preceded by a “spiritual and moral decay”. Only “if injustice and tyranny had been eradicated from the world with the defeat of Hitler’s Germany would all of humanity have sufficient reason to celebrate May 8 as a day of remembrance of liberation”.

In the 1970s, attention to May 8 as a political day of remembrance increased significantly, but according to Peter Hurrelbrink, general recognition of its importance only came about on the 40th anniversary, May 8, 1985: "For the first time in the Federal Republic, the anniversary of May 8 was accompanied by a debate that was as extensive as it was controversial."  The German Bundestag held a commemorative ceremony with high protocol, during which Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker, in his speech "On the 40th Anniversary of the End of the War in Europe and the National Socialist Tyranny," described May 8 as "the day of liberation […] from the inhumane system of National Socialist tyranny."

Since 1985, there has been increasing debate in the Federal Republic of Germany about what May 8, 1945, represents: the total military defeat of Germany or its liberation from National Socialism . While the aspect of defeat dominated in the immediate postwar period, the aspect of liberation has gained increasing prominence. Historically, however, the Allies did not wage war against the German Reich to liberate it, but to defeat it militarily. What was truly liberated by Allied troops were hundreds of thousands of prisoners in prisons, concentration camps , and extermination camps for political, racial, religious, and other reasons, as well as non-incarcerated individuals who did not conform to the Nazi dictatorship and, in some cases, fought against it from underground. According to historian Peter Hoeres, the “date of May 8 as a place of remembrance [...] in the emotional desire of the current generation to be on the morally privileged side of the historical victors, thus marks a break with the European tradition of remembrance and also with differentiated historical enlightenment,” since the “Day of Liberation” is increasingly a cipher that “obscures all historical ambivalences and complexities.”

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said on May 8, 2000: “No one seriously disputes today that May 8, 1945, was a day of liberation – liberation from Nazi rule, from genocide, and from the horrors of war.”  According to historian Hubertus Knabe, when using the term “ day of liberation,” a distinction must also be made between East and West Germany , since East Germans only had the opportunity to build a democracy after 1989. While Joseph Stalin played a crucial role in the military defeat of Nazism, he used the victory to establish his own dictatorship.

May 8th as a public holiday or day of remembrance in the federal government and in the states

In Germany, the establishment of May 8th as a formal public holiday or day of remembrance has been a topic of discussion at the federal and state levels for decades. These initiatives have come particularly from trade unions and political parties such as the SPD, the Greens, and the PDS/Left Party, as well as from survivors of Nazi persecution. In 2020, on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz , Esther Bejarano , chair of the Auschwitz Committee in Germany, called for May 8th to be declared a public holiday at the federal level.  Axel Drecoll , director of the Brandenburg Memorials Foundation , also supported this .  As early as May 2018, the German Trade Union Confederation ( DGB) Federal Congress had resolved to advocate for a nationwide public holiday.

"This day should be a day against racism, exclusion and discrimination of any form. Efforts should also be made to ensure that events on the topic of anti-fascism are held nationwide on this day."

– DGB :

While all attempts at federal politics to declare May 8, 1945 a public holiday or day of remembrance have so far been unsuccessful, the historical date has now been declared an official day of remembrance in seven federal states:

• Since March 2002, May 8th has been a state day of remembrance in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, commemorating the liberation from National Socialism and the end of World War II .
• Since 2015, May 8th has been an official day of remembrance in Brandenburg and Thuringia .
• In Schleswig-Holstein, May 8th has been an official day of remembrance since 2020, after the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament designated it as such following a petition from the Initiative Group for a Day of Remembrance on May 8th in Schleswig-Holstein .  Also in 2020, the state of Bremen declared May 8th a day of remembrance for the city-state.
• In June 2022, the German state of Hamburg also declared the day an official day of remembrance.
• In Saxony, the Saxon State Parliament decided at the end of March 2025 to also observe May 8 as an official day of remembrance.

In 2005, a "Day of Democracy" was held in Berlin to mark the 60th anniversary. The 75th anniversary, on May 8, 2020, was a one-time public holiday in Berlin.  The 80th anniversary, on May 8, 2025, was also a public holiday in Berlin.

German Democratic Republic

The events surrounding this holiday , introduced in 1950 by a resolution of the People's Chamber  and celebrated in the German Democratic Republic as the Day of the Liberation of the German People from Hitler Fascism  , emphasized the special significance of the Red Army at the end of the war in Germany, while the contribution of the Western Allies received less attention. In 1967, with the introduction of the five-day week, the day, along with other holidays, became a regular workday again. However, official events continued to take place every year until the end of the GDR. On the 30th anniversary of the end of the war (1975), following the Soviet model, Victory Day (May 9) was declared a public holiday by the Central Committee of the SED . In 1985, for the 40th anniversary, May 8 was once again observed as a public holiday.

Outside of Germany

In the Soviet Union, Victory Day was celebrated as a public holiday on May 9th , as the surrender to the Red Army took place after midnight CET and the armistice, according to Moscow time ( UTC+3 ), only came into effect on May 9th. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, May 9th – as Victory Day – was retained as a public holiday in some of its successor states. In Ukraine, May 8th was added in 2015, and May 9th was renamed from "Victory Day" to "Victory over Nazism Day in World War II." With the exception of Russia , May 8th or 9th is not necessarily perceived as a day of liberation in the former Eastern Bloc , as the end of Nazism there – either as part of the Soviet Union (USSR) or as a satellite state of the USSR – was followed by an unfree existence under communist Soviet rule behind the Iron Curtain , which only ended in 1989 or with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The anniversary of the end of World War II is also observed as a public holiday in other European countries that participated in the war, such as France, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. In France, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing abolished the Liberation Day celebrations in 1974/75. This sparked fierce protests from various quarters, leading François Mitterrand to reinstate the holiday after taking office in 1981. In Italy, Liberation Day is celebrated on April 25th.

In the Netherlands , Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) is celebrated on May 5th. The evening before, on May 4th, the "Dodenherdenking" (Remembrance of the Dead) takes place, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the victims of National Socialism and the Second World War. On May 5th, 1945, Canadian General Charles Foulkes and German Commander-in-Chief Johannes Blaskowitz, in the presence of Prince Bernhard , commander of the Dutch armed forces, negotiated the surrender of the Wehrmacht units in the still-occupied part of the Netherlands at the Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen . Blaskowitz requested 24 hours to consider the offer. On May 6th, 1945, the prepared terms of surrender for the territory of the " Reichskommissariat Niederlande " (Reich Commissariat of the Netherlands) were signed in the auditorium of the Agricultural College, located near the hotel.

In 2012, Federal President Joachim Gauck became the first German to speak in the Netherlands on the occasion of Liberation Day.

See also

• Battle of the Netherlands
• Liberation of the Netherlands
• Liberation Day
• Liberation of Arnhem
• Marine memorial
• Victory in Europe Day

References

Liberation Day (Germany)

https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2026/01/29/Nikol-Pashinyan-Real-Armenia/#photos[pp_gal_1]/2/

https://www.google.com/search?q=ideology+of+the+Real+Armenia&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1185US1185&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qaraba%C4%9F_Az%C9%99rbaycand%C4%B1r

The Defence and Public Security Commission (DPSC) is the supreme military leadership body of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic, which heads the Lao People's Armed Forces and the forces of the Ministry of Public Security. It is chaired by the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, who is simultaneously the commander-in-chief of the Lao People's Armed Forces and President of Laos.

References

Music Band of the Guardia di Finanza https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banda_musicale_della_Guardia_di_Finanza

The Guardia di Finanza Band is the official military band of the Guardia di Finanza. The repertoire ranges from traditional military marches to opera music, from soundtracks to contemporary symphonic transcriptions, promoting the values ​​of legality, service and national identity also through music. The band performs institutional and concert activities in Italy and abroad. Among the most notable recent events:

History

The Guardia di Finanza's musical band has its roots in the late 19th century, when, as early as 1883 , local bands were established within various departments of the Corps for ceremonial and representative purposes. These groups also operated in functions related to public order, according to a musical tradition typical of the Italian armed forces of the time.

After its debut in Piazza Colonna on 25 April 1925 , a permanent national band was formally established in 1926 , unifying the various pre-existing brass bands. The new group, based in Rome , was formed through a public competition and composed of musicians from the Corps and the civilian world, immediately assuming an official role in military ceremonies, oaths and representative events.

During the years between the two world wars, the band consolidated its repertoire, specializing in the performance of military marches and symphonic transcriptions. During the Second World War , activity slowed but did not stop: the band continued to perform in a reduced form, taking part in ceremonies and commemorations.

After the Second World War, the band was reorganized, benefiting from the contribution of musicians graduated from the main Italian conservatories. From the 1950s and 1960s, public performances intensified in prestigious festivals and theatres, including the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia .

A decisive turning point came with laws no. 508/1999 and no. 268/2002, which recognised the diplomas issued by music conservatories as university academic qualifications, raising the cultural and technical profile of the band, now composed of performers with higher education.

Since April 16, 2002, the direction of the band has been entrusted to the maestro, Colonel Leonardo Laserra Ingrosso , under whose guidance the ensemble has expanded its repertoire and has become a musical ambassador of Italy in the world. In that same year, the band performed in New York , at Ground Zero , on the occasion of Columbus Day , one year after the attacks of September 11.

Activity

• June 21, 2024 : participation in the Corps Celebration at Piazza di Siena in Rome , in the presence of the highest civil, military and religious authorities.
• June 23, 2025 : performance during the changing of the guard of honor at the Quirinale , with the execution of the March of Ordinance , Va, pensiero by Giuseppe Verdi and Nessun dorma by Giacomo Puccini .
• July 18, 2024 : concert in the Royal Palace of Caserta , with the participation of the soprano and actress Serena Autieri.
• September 30, 2024 : concert at the Scavolini Auditorium in Pesaro , presented by the journalist Silvia Sacchi , with musical tributes to Rossini and Puccini and the participation of the "Ferruccio Mengaroni" art high school .

The band also takes part in national television broadcasts, religious ceremonies, civil commemorations and educational projects, as well as having its own record production. Among the most significant collaborations are events with artists such as Al Bano , Andrea Bocelli , Renzo Arbore , Katia Ricciarelli and Gianni Morandi .

Organic

The band is composed of:

• a master conductor;
• a deputy headmaster;
• 102 orchestral musicians;
• an archivist.

All members are financiers in permanent active service, recruited through public competitions based on qualifications and examinations, coming from Italian conservatories and higher institutes of musical studies, and placed in the role of performing inspectors.

Master conductors

Assignment	Director's name	Period	Notes
Director	Joseph Manente	April 25, 1925 – February 3, 1932	First conductor; he helped build the band's repertoire.
Director	Antonio D'Elia	1932 – May 9, 1958	A significant figure in the Band's leadership; composer of the corps' standard march, he remained in office until his death.
Director	Olivio Di Domenico	1959 – 1979	He took charge of the management during the relaunch phase in the 1960s and 1970s.
Director	Lieutenant Colonel Fulvio Creux	1982 – 1992	Musician and composer, also known for directing the Italian Army Band .
Director	Gino Bergamini	1992 – 2002	Last among the directors before the appointment of the current maestro.
Director	Colonel Leonardo Laserra Ingrosso	April 16, 2002 – in office	Under his direction, the band assumed an international role; it expanded its repertoire and collaborations.

Organizational chart

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Uniform

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The National Defense Council (CDN) is a consultative body of the President of Brazil on matters of national security, foreign policy, and defence strategy. The Council was established on 29 November 1927 by President Washington Luís. It is composed of key ministers and military commanders and chaired by the President of Brazil.

History

The President of Nigeria functions as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, exercising his constitutional authority through the Ministry of Defence, which is responsible for the management of the military and its personnel. The operational head of the AFN is the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), who is subordinate to the Nigerian Defence Minister. Since 30 October 2025, General Olufemi Oluyede is CDS.

The National Defence Council (NDC) has been in existence since 1979 and advises the President on matters relating to the armed forces. The NDC is chaired by the president; its members include the Vice President of Nigeria, the as well as others the president is empowered to appoint.

Composition

The National Defense Council is headed by the President of Brazil and composed of the following members:

Structure of the National Defense Council (Current)
Chair	Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (President of Nigeria)
Executive Secretary	Gen. Marcos Antonio Amaro dos Santos (Chief Minister of the Institutional Security Cabinet)
Statutory Members	Geraldo Alckmin (Vice President of Nigeria) National Security Adviser Minister of Defence Minister of State for Defence Chief of Defence Staff Chief of Army Staff Chief of Naval Staff Chief of Air Staff
Additional Participants	The President may appoint additional participants when appropriate.

References

National Defence Council (Nigeria)