Within the activities for marking 25 years since the establishment of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, a military ceremony was held in the “Strasho Pindzur” barracks in Petrovec on the occasion of the day of the Air Force Brigade (AFBde).
Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska, the Chief of ARM General Staff, Lieutenant General Metodija Velickovski, senior officials from the MOD and the GS of the ARM, commanders of the subordinate commands and units of the ARM GS, former commanders and members of the ARM and other senior guests were present at the celebration of the Day of the AFBde.
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia I would like to pay tribute to everything that you have worked on and achieved so far, both within the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and beyond. Your role in dealing with various natural disasters that have affected the Republic of Macedonia in the past must not be forgotten, especially your engagement in extinguishing fires and dealing with other disasters. Citizens of Macedonia as civilians think of security when they are threatened, but you think of our security every day during your service, and for that I express great respect to you”, Minister Shekerinska said in her address to the audience.
The Minister said that one of the biggest challenges standing before us is NATO Alliance membership. She added that in the upcoming period strong reforms are needed that require active, responsible and accountable participation of all of us, in order to maintain and achieve all the set tasks and goals.
The Commander of the Joint Operations Command Brigadier General Zoran Mileski congratulated the AFBde, and expressed his confidence that all members of this unit are trained and have the skills to carry out the essential tasks arising from the mission, which is providing air support and transport of the ARM units, observation of airspace of the Republic of Macedonia and air defence of the elements of combat arrangement of units and significant objects, as well as participation in peace support operations abroad.
The AFBde Commander Colonel Robert Malezanski in his presentation addressed the beginnings when 25 years ago the members of the AFB flew over the territory of the independent Republic of Macedonia for the first time, the day when the ARM received its military wings. That historic flight marked the beginning of the timeless tale of warriors worthy of respect, filled with enthusiasm and energy, united to serve the Republic of Macedonia.
On the occasion of the AFBde day orders were given for promotions and acquisitions of a pilot’s title, and the transport helicopters squadron was awarded a cup and a transitional flag for achieving exceptional results in the execution of the unit’s mission.
The military ceremony was enriched with a flight of the AFBde and the Pilot Training Center aircrafts, as well as with an exhibit of material technical means available to the unit.
The existence of the AFBde was based on the decision of the President of the Republic of Macedonia dated 10 April 1992, which established the Command of military aviation and air defence of the ARM, and included an aviation brigade with aviation, transport and combat helicopter squadron. In 2005, the Air Force Brigade was transformed into a smaller, more compact unit called the Airborne WING (Airborne Reconnaissance Assault Team) that functioned until 2012, when an Air Force Brigade was formed again within the Joint Operations Command.
