On July 4, 2025, a ceremony was held at the NH Strasho Pindzur barracks in Petrovec to mark July 5 – the Day of the Helicopter Squadron (HS), as well as the continuous development and significance of this aviation unit of the Air Force VING.
The ceremony was attended by: the Commander of the First Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Dejan Chiplakovski; the Commander of the AF VING, Colonel Dragan Pavlovski; representatives from the General Staff of the Army; representatives from the Operations Command, the Command of the AF VING, as well as representatives of the commands of other Army units.
The Commander of the Helicopter Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Femi Ljumani, addressed the present and emphasized that the Helicopter Squadron and its members, operating Mi-8/17 helicopters, are unique in their contributions to the Army. In accordance with its mission, the squadron provides support to Army units in various forms such as transport and logistics, and also participates in national and international exercises in various roles.
In his speech, the Commander of the AF VING, Colonel Dragan Pavlovski, reflected on the early development of helicopter capabilities, highlighting the dedication and sacrifices of the squadron members over the years. He told the unit’s service personnel that this day was a reminder that in order to successfully meet challenges, their efforts must be directed toward full dedication and a professional attitude toward all assigned tasks, with loyalty and expertise from every HS member. “Commanders will only be as successful and progress as much as they have your support and unity,” Colonel Pavlovski emphasized.
He further highlighted the importance of modernizing the unit with new capabilities, as well as the transformation of the Helicopter Squadron into a modern and operationally ready aviation unit capable of fulfilling tasks in line with NATO standards. In the coming period, the squadron is expected to be equipped with multi-role helicopters.
As part of the ceremony, incentive measures were presented to outstanding unit members for their achievements and professionalism.
