Croatia Prepares for historic military parade on Thursday

Croatia is preparing for a historic military parade on Thursday to mark 30 years since Operation Storm. 

The event will feature 3,500 participants, 500 vehicles, nearly 40 aircraft, and 13 ships. The parade is taking place in Zagreb but the navy part will be held in Split.

Defense Minister Ivan Anušić and Chief of the General Staff, General Tihomir Kundid, visited with troops Monday morning at the Colonel Marko Živković barracks near Zagreb to review preparations.

"Rehearsals for the parade are in full-swing. We are ready for July 31st, three days from now. On Thursday we're going to present our military capabilities - from skills to equipment,” said Anušić.

"The only thing left to do is to invite the public to come and watch this grand parade, the biggest one ever Croatia has ever held. We are going to show the might, equipment, and readiness of the Croatian Army,” said Gen. Kundid.

Troops taking part in the events say it is an honor.

"Since this is my first parade, I'm very happy and proud to be a member of the Tiger brigade and to participating in this event, which is very important to us,” Lance Corporal Slađana Pavković told HRT.

"I'm in the self-propelled howitzer battalion. I'm a Panzer 2000 tank driver and I will be doing that in this parade, which is a great honor for me,” said Private Dominika Jurčević.

The festivities will begin on Thursday in Zagreb at 3 pm.