Airplane Squadron Day celebrated

The ceremony was attended by the active members of the Airplane Squadron of the 93rd Air Force Base, former and retired employees, squadron commanders since its founding in 1991 to date, and representatives of other CAF units.

On behalf of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence Commander, Brigadier General Drazen Ščuri, the greetings were handed over by the Commander of the 93rd Air Force Base Colonel Karol Lučan.

Airplane Squadron of the 93rd Air Force Base was the first Croatian Air Force Unit established in the Zadar area that during the Homeland War was systematically developed with them main aim of the Croatian military pilot training. In the first years selection flying and basic training were conducted on UTVA-75 planes while today the Squadrons has 20 Pilatus PC-9 M and 5 ZLIN 242 L aircraft.

Referring to the previous period, Acting Squadron Commander Major Nenad Hasnek, said that the Squadron was a “delivery room” of the entire Croatian Air Force and Air Defence since all pilots their first flight and the basic steps learn and do in this squadron. The Squadron also creates quality personnel to fill the combat and fire-fighting squadrons, and part of the Squadron is the Air Force and Air Defense – aerobatic group “Wings of Storm”. Additional dimension to the Squadron readiness was also given by the performance of pilot Ivan Krizman in the competition for the most ready CAF member where Krizman won second place. As a special attraction Major Hasnek pointed out the achieved flight hours on Pilatus PC-9 aircraft that was approaching to 50 000, which would be marked by traditional painting of one Pilatus in special colors.

Given the most important activities in the past year, Major Hasnek besides the schooling of cadets and pilots highlighted the importance of international activities of the Squadron, where the high competence of the Croatian military pilots and the quality of the education system through which the selection of pilots is done, to flight training for flight instructor, was recognized and confirmed. Squadron continually provide support in the training and in other activities of other CAF units including airspace surveillance with Pilatus within the Coast Guard. Major Hasnek also stressed the value and level of maintenance performed by the ground first level maintenance personnel. “It is the quality, high-level training and joint team spirit of our pilots and aircraft technicians that we will base the development of the Squadron and strengthen it in the future”, Maj. Hasnek said.