Ceremonial academy on the occasion of the Day of the Air Force and Air Defence

At the Air Force Club in Zemun, a ceremonial academy was held on the occasion of the Day of the Air Force and Air Defence. The ceremony was attended by State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Zoran Djordjevic and Head of the General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic with associates.

Major General Ranko Zivkovic spoke about the development of this military service. He reminded that the Air Defence was founded on December 24, 1912, when, by the decision of the Serbian Ministry of Military and the Main General Staff, Field Marshal Radomir Putnik made the Decree on formation of the Air Force Command with headquarters in Nis. At that time, Serbia was one of the 15 countries in the world that had military air force and among the first five countries that used the air force in combat actions during the siege of Skadar in 1913. Moreover, it was among the first countries in the world to understand the third dimension of the war, the importance of airspace and aircraft in wartime, and the first aviation victims were noted in our air force.

In 1915, the first enemy aircraft was taken down over Serbia, and conditions were then created for the development of air defence and aerial reconnaissance.

- Our history is glorious and rich, with many periods of strong growth and rises and periods of great hardships in fight for freedom, when the survival of our country, people, military and air force itself were questionable. This history was written by numerous generations of members of air defence who integrated their youth, knowledge, energy and often their lives in it. We have every right to be proud of our glorious ancestors who rose to the occasion in deciding historical moments and who placed their love for their country before their own lives. This was the case in the Balkan Wars, the Great War, in 1941 and during the fight against Fascism. This was also the case in 1999 during the fight againt NATO aggression, the strongest military machinery in the history. This will be the case in the future, as well, if, God forbid, it is needed. This is something to be proud of, but it is also a great commitment that is before us – Commander of the Air Defence stressed.

He said that it is both difficult and easy to talk about such history. Easy, because there is something to be said, and difficult, because there is the danger of leaving something important unmentioned.

General Zivak also emphasized the significant achievements in the field of development of air force technologies, construction of air force industry, development of project production and testing capacities, production and overhaul of national aircraft, education of staff, achievements in the field of air force medicine…

Commander of the Air Defence stressed that he was proud that members of the Air Defence, together with other MoD and SAF members helped people in hardships and disasters that occurred in the past year and saved lives and property. In one day only, over 2,450 people were rescued from rooftops, trees, isolated areas, mostly without landing. Moreover, he is proud of all members of the service that participated in the military parade “March of the Victorious”.

- Working technology, capable and motivated people, skillful commanding and a little bit of heroic luck are enough for success – Major General Ranko Zivak stressed.

Members of the service were granted the Order of the White Eagle (Class 2) by the President of the Republic of Serbia for exceptional results in building up the defence system of the Republic of Serbia, improvement and maintenance of operative capabilities in conditions of new security challenges. At the ceremonial academy, on behalf of the Serbian President, Brigadier General Vaso Gujic presented the order to Commander of the Air Defence Major General Ranko Zivak.

In the further course of the ceremonial academy, a cultural entertainment program was performed. Accompanied by the Stanislav Binicki Orchestra, performances were given by Oliver NJego, Merima Njegomir, Emina Smalovic and actors Miodrag Rakocevic and Vesna Stankovic.