Helicopter Squadron

Mission:

• Conduct training of flight crew and maintenance of the required combat readiness to perform tasks in line with the principles for use of transport helicopters;
• Staff preparation for participation in peace support operations led by NATO and the EU;
• In coordination with other squadrons, participates in the performance of duties in accordance with the mission of Air Brigade.

Tasks:

• Aviation support of ground forces with emphasis on transport;
• Performing search and rescue and medical evacuation of injured and wounded;
• Maintaining of the squadron achieved level of training and retraining according to the unit’s needs;
• Performing training oriented exercises and qualifying the squadron for execution of purpose tasks;
• Execution of missions at night, using night vision flight systems;
• Training of new flight crew and maintenance personnel and flight handling;
• Studying the NATO standards and foreign languages ​​in order to achieve interoperability and crew inclusion in operations of NATO and PfP;
• Operations for supporting the Ministry of Interior in dealing with threats to the security of the Republic;
• Raising the psycho-physical preparation of the composition according to the guidelines for physical education and guidance of the aviation medical committee;
• Training and practicing safe handling personal infantry weapons.

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