Helicopter Squadron

Mission:

The mission of the Helicopter Squadron is to provide air support to Army units, participate in NATO operations, and support national entities during natural disasters and catastrophes.

Tasks:

Primary tasks:

• Airlift of troops;
• Airlift of cargo (internal and external);
• Hazmat air transport;
• Personnel recovery operations (PR);
• Search and rescue operations (SAR);
• Casualty evacuation (CASEVAC);
• Aerial reconnaissance operations;
• Combat support operations for land and air forces;
• Light air support for Army land forces.

Secondary tasks:

• Firefighting;
• Disaster relief operations;
• VIP air transport.

Lieutenant Colonel Femi Ljumani

Lieutenant Colonel Femi Ljumani was born on October 24, 1981 in Resen, Republic of North Macedonia. He completed his primary education in his native Krani, and he completed his secondary education in Debar. In 2000, he enrolled at the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” in Skopje and graduated in 2004 as an aviation officer. He began his military career as a pilot of a Zlin 242 aircraft in a Training Squadron.

In 2008, he successfully completed his training as an aircraft pilot. In 2009, he transferred to the Mi-8/17 helicopter in the Transport Helicopter Squadron. In his career so far, he has held several command and staff duties at the flight and squadron level, including: Pilot Flight Commander, Flight Safety Officer, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff in the Helicopter Squadron.

As of May 16, 2022 he has been appointed Commander of the Helicopter Squadron. He is a pilot of Mi-8/17 helicopter. He has participated in several military exercises in the country and abroad, including Flash, Challenge, Adriatic Strike and others. In upgrading his military education, he completed a Flight Commander’s Course in Pleven, Bulgaria, a Flight Safety Course in Izmir, Turkey, a Flight Instructor Course in Macedonia and the Air Command and Staff College in Maxwell, Alabama, USA. During his career, he has been awarded and commended several times. He is proficient in English. Lieutenant Colonel Femi Ljumani is married and a father of two children.

In his career so far, he has performed the following duties:

• School Training Squadron Pilot, 2004-2008;
• Transport Helicopter Squadron Pilot, 2009-2012;
• Transport Helicopter Squadron Flight Commander, 2012-2015;
• Transport Helicopter Squadron Chief of Staff – Deputy Commander,2020;
• Helicopter Squadron Chief of Staff – Deputy Commander, 2021-2022;
• Helicopter Squadron Commander, since May, 2022.

Promotions:

• Second Lieutenant 2004-2006;
• Lieutenant 2006-2009;
• Captain 2009-2014;
• Mayor 2014-2018;
• Lieutenant Colonel since