site.bta2,600 Military Personnel Contribute to Combating Wildfires in Summer 2024

In the summer of 2024, a total of 2,600 military personnel participated in wildfire control efforts over the course of a month and a half, Land Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Deyan Deshkov said on Friday. He was speaking after а Sig Sauer pistol shooting tournament for journalists and members of the Association of Military Attachés, held ahead of Land Forces Day (November 19).

During the summer, the firefighters would go home at night, take a breath, and return to the scene the next day, Deshkov said. “We rotated two groups every two or three days. If there were enough people, they would have time to rest,” the general noted. He also pointed out that the personnel shortage in the Land Forces is significant and growing. Despite the challenges, training exercises are not being cancelled, nor are commitments to overseas missions, Deshkov added.

Regarding the two recruitment calls issued for the Land Forces, he mentioned that there were a large number of applicants, far exceeding the number of available positions. This had not happened since the pandemic. In the first recruitment call, nearly 900 people applied for 290 positions. In the second call, for which applications are still being accepted, there are about 360 positions, and over 700 applicants so far. According to Deshkov, a large portion of the candidates applied following the decision to increase the salaries of military personnel.

Progress in modernization projects in the Land Forces is quite significant, the general further noted. He highlighted the acquisition of satellite terminals for the global Starlink system, as well as a large number of small infrastructure projects.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, caretaker Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov urged the National Assembly to implement its decision to increase the salaries of military personnel, focusing on the need for maintaining an army, air force, and land forces. He warned the legislature that otherwise the military will see a further exodus of service persons amid an already existing staffing crisis and conflicts close to Bulgaria.