The marking of Croatian Air Force’s 27th anniversary

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević as Envoy of the President of the Republic and of the Prime Minister, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, the Prefect of the Zadar County Božidar Longin as Envoy of the Chairman of the Croatian Parliament, by the Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brigadier General Mato Mikić, by representatives of the organisational units of the Ministry of Defence and of the Croatian Armed Forces, by representatives of the associations from the Homeland War, the diplomatic and military diplomatic corps, the local government and former commanders and members of the Croatian Air Force, the families of the fallen and deceased members and others. The ceremony featured the display of the overhauled Mi-171 Sh helicopter.

Congratulating the members of the Croatian Air Force on their anniversary Minister Krstičević recalled the grim beginnings of the air force and the air force personnel who had given a huge contribution to the victories of the Croatian Army during the Homeland. The Minister stated that over the past two years the Croatian Armed Forces had been strenghtened and provided with new equipment and stressed the takeover of the first overhauled helicopter.

“This is an important day for the Croatian Air Force, when we are taking over the Mi-171 Sh helicopter. Projects _systematic equipping of the Croatian Air Force with new assets and equipment in recognition for its contribution to the founding of the state of Croatia. The future of the country that is not capable of protecting its skies is uncertain”, said the Minister and reminded of the Kiowa Warrior helicopters and “Black Hawk“ helicopters that entered the operational service. “The transition to western-made technology was the only acceptable option for a reliable and credible NATO member nation“, said the Minister.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov in his address recalled the precarious establishment of the Croatian Air Force during the Homeland War, relying on sport and agricultural aircraft fleets and the courageous overflights with fighter aircraft to the free Croatian territory, which boosted the morale of the Croatian defenders and kept our faith in victory.  

General Šundov stressed that all services of the Croatian Armed Forces underwent modernisation, inasmuch as only a  well-equipped and trained military guaranteed security and freedom.
“We are witnessing to Croatian government investing serious efforts to modernise and equip the Croatian Armed Forces in challenging economic situation, which I sincerely believe i going to continue and that we will continue modernising our Air Force in the years to come”. Bearing in mind the modernisation undetaken in other services of the Armed Forces we can claim that we are building the military for the 21st century,” concluded the Chief of General Staff.

The Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and Prefect of the Zadar County  Božidar Longin underlined the vital contribution of the Croatian Air Force in the Homeland War and its modern-day role. 
The Commander of the Croatian Air Force  Brigadier General Mato Mikić stressed that the service had undergone several reorganisations that shaped it into a modern air force capable of fulfilling its tasks and missons under the Constitution.

“The Croatian Air Force is systematically exercising protection of air space, providing support to the tasks of the Coast Guard and to the training of other services of the Croatian Armed Forces, it is taking part in peace support operations and carrying out emergency medical transportation, search-and-rescue, aerial firefighting and providing support to civilian institutions in the Republic of Croatia. Furthermore, the Croatian Air Force had trained pilots for 27 years continuosly and also prepared new programmes to train sufficient flying personnel for new fighter aircraft. 

The ceremony was followed by a display of the overhaul of Mi-171 Sh helicopter which took part in an eye-catching flying programme, and by a tour of the static display. Following the programme pilot Dubravko Radić said that the unit received its mighty asset back which will be used for  both regular military tasks and for the support to ciivilian institutions. 

The anniversary marking included the wreath laying at the Mirogoj Cemetery  and at the tomb of the former commander of the Croatian Air Force General Imra Agotić and a mass was recited in the Church of St Simon in Zadar by military chaplain Ivo Topalović.

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