General Lovrić visits Transport Helicopter Squadron and Coast Guard

Talking with the M1-8 MTV helicopter crew on duty during the night, General Lovrić expressed recognition to the Transport Helicopter Squadron for their achievements in lifesaving missions through medical flights and search-and-rescue operations, and extended his best New Year’s wishes to the crew on duty and to all members of the Croatian Armed Forces.

General’s visit coincided with an emergency flight transporting a patient from the island of Korčula, whose successful outcome was an additional motive for congratulations. „I am very proud of you and your lifesaving   missions that contribute to safety of all citizens and visitors of the Republic of Croatia, one of which we have just witnessed to, confirming a high degree of trainedness and preparedness to act quickly, safely and efficiently. For that reason I wanted to share these moments sliding into New Year with you“ stressed General Lovrić.
He added that the specific location and significance of the Base at Divulje constituted its future asset in the international, inter-departmental and inter-service aspects . The Base at Divulje is envisaged to host international divers, firefighting and emergency response training events with the partner and neighbouring countries, and its  potentials are to be used by other Government ministires and all services of the Croatian Armed Forces too.

The Transport Helicopter Squadron Commander, Cpt.  Ante Siniša Kozina appreciated the recognition on behalf of the crew on duty, composed of the Captain Stjepan Stepić, Co-pilot 1st Lt. Filip Petrinjak and flight technicians SMSgt. Dalibor Filipović and StSgt. Frane Franić, saying that the flight crews were on 24-hour duty throughout the year and that most interventions took place during the holidays and on weekends (sometimes with multiple daily missions saving the lives of local residents and foreign tourists).
The Transport Helicopter Squadron of the 93rd Croatian Air Force and Air Defence Base was a recipient of the Tourist Prize of the Year for the immense contribution to safe tourist season, and of the special prize titled „Pride of Croatia“ („Ponos Hrvatske“) for the demonstrated humanity and altruism in recovering the patients by emergency flights.

From the beginning of 2013 the flight crews from the Base at Divulje transported a total of 486 patients (Croatian citizens and visitors alike) and some 950 accompanying persons and members of medical teams, took off 1200 times and spent 580 hours (equivalent to 24 days) aboard the helicopers. 

General Lovrić also visited the Croatian Coast Guard based in the „Sv. Nikola“ Barracks in Split and the Croatian Navy’s Operations Centre and the Training vessel „Andrija Mohorovičić“ as well. The visit to the Coast Guard and the Transport Helicopter Squadron was scheduled on the New Year’s Eve to emphasise that on the first day of the year the two units of the Armed Forces were stand-by to provide seaborne and airborne assistance to those in need. 
General Lovrić announced the construction in the year 2014 of the first out of five planned coast patrol vessel, for which 65 mil kuna (8,530.183 EURO) have been allocated in the defence budget.
The Croatian Coast Guard Commander, Navy Captain Marin Stošić stressed that on the New Year’s Eve too the Coast Guard was prepared to act in the event of need. „Our constant presence at sea aims to  provide protection of Croatia’s maritime territory“, said Captain Stošić.