Anniversary of 93rd Air Force Base
93rd Air Force Base marked on March 21 its 19th anniversary of the death of unit members who died from 18 to 23 March 1993 in Škabrnja during “Maslenica” Operation and 20th anniversary of the establishment.
The commemoration of ten killed Croatian Defenders, members of the 93rd Air Force and 7th Home Guard Regiment was held at the local cemetery Sukošan-Debeljak and at the Memorial in Škabrnja. The delegation of 93rd Air force Base was led by its commander, Colonel Miroslav Kovač and wartime commanders of 93rd Air Base and 7th Home Guard Regiment and delegations of the State Administration of the County of Zadar, Zadar City, Sukošan and Škabrnja municipalities, the Veterans’ Associations of Homeland War and others. Holy Mass was served by Sukošan local pastor, Father Tomislav Sikirić.
20th anniversary of the 93rd Air Force Base was celebrated by the solemn lining up of members of the “Zemunik” barracks. On this occasion, greeting to members of the troops was sent by the Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence, Brigadier General Dražen Šćuri who pointed out the importance of 93rd Air Force Base as one of the most important units in the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, which have been giving its immense contribution to the activities of civil society through medical transportation and rescue of human life, and through fire extinguishing contributing to the preservation of our country. “Today, as a full member of NATO we use our capabilities to actively participate in preserving and strengthening global security. Goals that have been set before us have been our constant, and that means constantly reaching and maintaining the declared capabilities through modernization and overhaul of existing equipment and through constant improvement of the personnel”, General Šćuri said.
Commander of the 93rd Air Force Base, Colonel Miroslav Kovać commented on the historical path of the unit, since its foundation in March 1992 to date. He recalled that the unit was established in wartime, and that the first Croatian air force in Dalmatia were founded in Zadar and Split, from which we have established two bases in Zemunik and Divulje. Base in Zemunik was developed as a school while crews from Divulje made significant contributions in support of air defence and liberation of Croatian.
Today, the unit maintained its fundamental role in pilot training and education, but it has also profiled through a number of other tasks: the air fire fighting, medical flights, search and rescue operations, and flight activities for the Coast Guard.
Highlighting the most important activities in the past year, Colonel Kovač has singled out the successful completion of flight training and certifying of staff as an ongoing process that continues through this year. He also recalled on last year’s fire fighting season which was done with increased intensity, taking part in extinguishing 341 fires, but also in extremely high engagement in the first months of the year where the air force took part in extinguishing 60 fires.
Crews from 93rd Air Base conducted many emergency medical flights and last year transported 412 persons, mostly in the summer during the tourist season.
Commander Colonel Kovač particularly emphasized the important role of aviation technicians.
At the end of the ceremony, the most prominent members of the units were given commendations and awards.