PHOTO: 17th Anniversary of Croatian Air Force

The Croatian Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic participated in marking the 17th anniversary of the Croatian Air Force in Zemunik.

Today, at the army barracks in Zemunik, the 17th anniversary of the Croatian Air Force and air defence was ceremonially marked.

Along with many members of the Croatian Air Force, present at the event were the Croatian Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic, the president’s representative and chief commander of the Croatian Army Forces Josip Lucic, head of the Croatian Air Force and air defence, representatives of the city and county governments in Zadar, military delegates accredited in Croatia, representatives of associations from the Croatian War of Independence and many others.

Talking in front of the aligned members of the Croatian Air Force, minister Vukelic said that “the strength of the Croatian Air Force and in all of the branches of the Armed Forces is in the man”.

Even though in the Croatian Air Force and air defence, technology comes to emphasis, their training, knowledge and bravery amazes” said minister Vukelic. He stressed that “man is in the centre of our attention, and investment in their knowledge and ability”.

“The year in front of us is the year that Croatia will enter NATO, and the reforms of the Armed Forces were quality and all encompassing. The Croatian Armed Forces, especially the helicopter crews, will prove themselves in the peace mission in Kosovo” said minister Vukelic.

“Modernisation of armed forces continues”

“The true interest of every Croatian citizen is monitoring the Croatian sea, sky and land, and that will never come into question” said minister Vukelic. He added that they will “continue to modernise the Armed Forces”. However, said Vukelic, the greatest challenge to the Ministry of Defence is strengthening human potential.

Croatia will enable quality schooling, concluded minister Vukelic.

The presidential delegate Josip Lucic also addressed the members of the Air Force. He reminded that the tradition of the Croatian Air Force is longer than 100 years, and that it is known for their air activities, and a large role was played by the Croatian Air Force in the Croatian War of Independence and liberation operations.

The aim is, said general Lucic, to develop the Croatian Air Force to the level of carrying out all activities on the territory of Croatia, as well as participation in peace missions. He announced that Croatian will exchange the MIG aircraft with new aircraft, and reported that they have schooled over 200 pilots, 100 helicopter pilots, and more than 100 for other types of aircraft.

The commander of the Croatian Air Force and the air defence, brigadier general Vlado Bagaric, who said that “there is no free land without free skies”.

At today’s ceremony, numerous members of the Croatian Air Force and air defence were given promotions to higher ranks, and various awards were given by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, the commander of the Croatian Air Force and air defence, and the Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces president Stjepan Mesic.

The 17th anniversary of the Croatian Air Force was marked with an appropriate flying program.

Take a look at the ceremony in the photo gallery: Croatian Air Force Exercise.