Independent Honor Guard Battalion of the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan

The Independent Honor Guard Battalion of the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan (Türkmenistanyň Goranmak Ministrligi Hormat Garawuly Batalyony; Отдельный батальон Почетного караула Министерства обороны Туркменистан) is the official ceremonial unit of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan that serves as a Guard of honour unit. The battalion guards the Independence Monument, the National Museum of Turkmenistan and the Presidential Palace in Ashgabat. The battalion was formed in 1992 as one of the first purely ceremonial units of the Turkmen Armed Forces. The battalion is composed of two infantry companies and also maintains Cavalry company. The Turkmen Internal Troops, Turkmen Border Troops, and Turkmen National Guard are excluded from the battalion.

History of Activities
One of the first events the battalion took part in was the independence day military parade on Makhtumkuli Avenue in October 1992, serving as linemen for the parading troops. The battalion took part in the annual Victory Day Parade in Moscow in May 2010, and with the Russian Government's permission, the commander of the battalion, Major General Pygy Baýramdurdyýew, led the contingent on horseback, with the white Akhal-Teke horse being a descendant of the horse Marshal Georgy Zhukov rode on during the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945.

Role

 * Ceremonial duties are usually served by the battalion.


 * The battalion is the first division on Independence Square in the annual Independence Day Parade.


 * They also greet foreign leaders visiting Turkmenistan


 * Guarding the National Museum of Turkmenistan and the Independence Monument in Ashgabat.
 * Raise the national fkag on special ceremonies
 * Receive the new armed forces unit colors

Photos of the Batalion
Infantry unit

Links

 * Turkmen Changing of the Guard


 * Members of the battalion during the 2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade


 * The battalion training at their barracks