Today, October 15, 2025, a military ceremony was held at the barracks “NH Strasho Pindzur” in Petrovec to mark October 15 – the Day of the Air Surveillance and Reporting Battalion (ASRBn), part of the Air Force VING (AF VING).
The ceremony was attended by the Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski, the Commander of the AF VING, Colonel Dragan Pavlovski, representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Army, the Operations Command, section chiefs from the AF VING, as well as other guests and representatives from Army units.
In his address, the Commander of the ASRBn, Lieutenant Colonel Kjemal Xhaferi, expressed sincere gratitude for the unit’s achievements and congratulated to all ASRBn members for their dedication, selflessness, and high professionalism. Lieutenant Colonel Xhaferi emphasized the importance of the unit’s active participation in the air policing mission, noting that it represents the first and most important link in the integrated and comprehensive air defense system. He also outlined the key imperatives for the upcoming period, which include the successful execution of the unit’s mission, maintaining high standards in the operational performance of the Air Command and Control Center, continuous professional development of personnel through training in modern NATO air surveillance centers, and strengthening leadership, morale, and unity within the unit.
The Commander of the AF VING, Colonel Dragan Pavlovski, also addressed the audience, highlighting the significance of October 15 as a historical symbol and an ongoing challenge for the continuous improvement of the unit’s capabilities. He stated that over the years, the unit has steadily developed and modernized its capacities in command and control of airspace and its integration into NATO air and missile defense systems. Colonel Pavlovski further emphasized that the introduction of new aircraft and air defense systems, along with the functioning of the Command and Control Center, will enable the expansion and adaptation of the unit’s mission spectrum to ensure readiness to defend the territorial and air integrity of the homeland and its allies. He noted that these achievements are the result of teamwork and that maintaining a high level of combat readiness remains a key priority in safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation’s airspace.
During the ceremony, congratulatory messages from the Commander of the Operations Command, Brigadier General Mirche Gjorgovski, and from the Commander of the AF VING were read, extending best wishes to the battalion. On this occasion, several members of the battalion received commendations and incentive awards in recognition of their contributions to the service of the Army.
The celebration of this important day once again reaffirmed the commitment of the Air Surveillance and Reporting Battalion to upholding the highest national and NATO standards, strengthening operational capabilities, and safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the state’s airspace.
