“Wings of Storm“ mark 15th anniversary

The Croatian Air Force Aerobatic Team “Wings of Storm“ on 12 June 2019 marked its 15th anniversary of the first gathering of the first line-up, which was formally established on 5 August 2015 – the 10th  anniversary of the Military and Police Operation “Storm“. 

The first and preparatory ideas and activities kicked off in June 2004, and the Team saw its first ever performance at the opening ceremony of the European Junior Sailing Champrionships in Zadar on 23 July 2004m. The historic maiden performance was flown in a 4-aircraft  (Pilatus PC-9M) formation composed of Miroslav Franjić, Damir Barišić, Diana Doboš and Saša Joković.

To commemorate the establishment of the Team the members of the current line-up and of the first line-up performed a joint flight – the first Team Leader Lieutenant Colonel Miroslav Franjić shared the cockpit with the current Leader- Captain Darko Belančić. Lieutenant Colonel Damir Barišić (the first position was left wing) shared the cockpit with Major Ivan Anđić and Major Doboš with 1st Lieutenant Marko Novković as Right Wing. 

Following the reunion and the joint flight of the first and the current “Wings of Storm“ Lt. Franjić shared his pride over taking part in the establishment of the Team. “I am proud that we have one of the world’s best aerobatic teams, great aircraft and superb pilots, willing to learn and closely connected  within the team. My message to them is to constantly learn and make progress “, said Lt. Col. Franjić.

Lt. Col. Barišić –twice  the Wings of Storm Team Leader – has remained close to the Team and its performance  and said that half of his pilot career and flying hours are . no djelovanje. Istaknuo je kako je praktički pola njegove letačke karijere i ostvarenog naleta vezano uz letenje u “Krilima Oluje”. “The entry into the Croatian Air Force’s Aerobatic Team was my boy’s dream come true. I am very proud to have taken part in its establishment and all its later years  that I had the privilege and the honour of flying with the Team. Today, 12 years later, I still look forward to any new opportunity to fly with them. Today’s flight with the colleagues of the first line-up on its 15th anniversary  is an emotional moment of all of us“, said Lt. Col. Barišić.

Major Dijana Doboš was a  member of the first line-up of the “Wings of Storm“ and as such the third woman in history to fly within an aerobatic team. Maj Doboš described the reunion and the joint flight with the present members of the Team as a return to an old film, which saw an equal sequel   with new competent members. 

“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to be in the first line-up of the Wings of Storm and to have reunited with the Team, and I wish the new  team many successful performances and safe landings“.

The Commander and the Chief of Staff of the 93rd Air Base, Lieutenant Colonel Krešimir Ražov and  Lieutenant Colonel Boris Panić extended congratulations to the members of the “Wings of Storm“  and underlined a joint flight with the Team, and recalled the first demo-flights they performed at the same time  as BELL-206 B helicopters.

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