Kiowa Warrior helicopters presented in Zemunik air base

alongside the Envoy of the President of the Republic Dario Mihelin., the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter, the U.S Ambassador to Croatia, Julieta Valls Noyes.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister  Damir Krstičević appreciated the attendance of the senior U.S. officials at a highly important event for the Croatian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, which demonstrates true alliance and strategic partnership of the two countries sharing the same democratic values and standards.  “The assistance we have received from the U.S. has upgraded at once the Croatian defence capabilities and the joint capabilities of NATO alliance in southeast Europe. The U.S. is Croatia’s key partner in defence and security“, said Minister  Krstičević.
 
The Envoy of the President of the Republic Dario Mihelin said that the modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces highlighted the highly successful co-operation  with the United States „each investment into the Croatian Armed Forces is an investment into the future and security“.
 
The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Carpenter said the presentation was an important event for the Croatian-U.S. alliance. “Croatia is a true strategic partner“ said Carpenter; the project was important in terms of NATO interoperability and the Wales  summit guidelines and constituted an important military capability in support of the civilian community.

The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Julieta Valls Noyes emphasised that the modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces was a joint goal of the Republic of Croatia and of United States. “The donation of the Kiowa Warrior helicopters is an exemplification of the co-operation of Croatia and the U.S. related to peace and stability. Croatia has been contributing to peace worldwide by participating in important missions and will continue to do so employing the Kiowa Warrior helicopters“, said Ambassador Valls Noyes.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov expressed major appreciation to the United States  as strategic security partner and ally, for the donation. “The pilots and air technicians have been provided with modern operation and training assets, and the Croatian Armed Forces with an additional  capability“.
The head of the Ministry of Defence’s Kiowa Warrior equipment project team, Davor Tretinjak delivered a presentation on the project, which was followed by the display of all donated helicoptes and the accompanying equipment and of three training simulators on the Base apron.
 
The Commander of the Rotary Wing Squadron Lt. Col. Krešimir Ražov expressed satisfaction over the new capabilities of the Squadron, namely the training in new technology. 
 The 16 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter fleet from the U.S.-supported equipment of the Croatian Armed Forces with reconnaissance and combat helicopters is now complete and stationed in the 93rd air base in the Barracks at Zemunik. The helicopters were manufactured in the period 2010 to 2012 and entered the operational service between 2012 and 2015 and have been taken over with inclusive with the standard weapons set –  the optical boresight system, the communication and navigation equipment. The project will provide a new armed reconnaissance helicopter capability.
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