Today, in a ceremony at the barracks “Strasho Pingjur”, the first four pilots of the Pilot Training Centre were promoted into lieutenants. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence Talat Djaferi, Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Naser Sejdini, MO State Secretary Sasho Stefanovski, Commander of the Joint Operations Command, Major General Metodija Velichkovski and other distinguished guests.
“The Army from today is enriched with four new young officers-pilots, of the first class of Military Aviation trainees, who received professional training. The results you have achieved during your training, are a confirmation that the young people in our country are motivated and able to achieve excellent results with high world standards“, said Minister Djaferi.
He also emphasized that the first woman pilot of the Macedonian Army was promoted at this ceremony, which shows that the Ministry of Defence adheres to the UN resolution 1325 concerning gender equality.
The Director of the Pilot Training Centre, Jaari Shraga addressing the four promoted pilots said: „We have trained you for every mission a helicopter pilot could be faced with and at the same time this will be your professional challenge. You have been given the most important and the most efficient tools which will help you conduct all your future pilot activities. We are proud of you.“
According to the agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the company „Elbit System“, 52 pilots will be trained for the needs of the Aviation Brigade. The second group of helicopter pilots have already finished the first part of the training, and the training of the third group of pilot candidates is expected to begin soon.
