December 12 , 2006
Embassy of the United States of America
Belgrade

Serbian Officers and Pilots visit U.S. Air Base in Aviano

A senior delegation of Serbian Air Force officers is visiting Aviano Air Base from December 10-13. The delegation, led by Colonel Nebojsa Djukanovic, Deputy Commander of the Serbian Air Force and Air Defense Command, will be hosted by the U.S. Commander of the 31st Fighter Wing, Brigadier General Robert Yates.

The Serbian delegation will be receiving a series of briefing and tours on the organization and operation of the 31st Fighter Wing and Aviano Air Base. This visit follows a successful visit by the Commander of the Serbian Air Force and Air Defense Command, Colonel Dragan Katanic, to the Ohio Air National Guard headquarters and its subordinate units in the United States during the week of December 3.

In addition, during the week of December 11, four Serbian Air Force pilots will be visiting Aviano Airbase as an introduction to U.S. Air Force (USAF) operations, training and organization methodologies. The Serbian pilots will have the opportunity to conduct air missions with pilots and aircraft of the 31st Fighter Wing, and will fly on 31st Wing F-16 aircraft. The three Serbian captains and one major, representing the 101st Fighter Squadron, 252nd Training Squadron, and 98th Air Base will be flying on two-seat F-16 training aircraft. The pilots will be flying multi-hour orientation sorties which will include training 2 on 4 air combat manuevers and emergency egress.

These visits mark a historic moment in the relations between the U.S. and Serbian Armed Forces, and a continuation of the special relations being built between the two services.

MG Harry W. Feucht, Jr., Assistant Adjutant General for Air for the State of Ohio, speaks with a delegation of leaders touring the 121st Air Refueling Wing on Monday, December 4th, 2006. The group is visiting Ohio from Serbia as a part of the State Partnership with Serbia. [Photography by SSggt Douglas Nicodemus, 121st ARW Multimedia Center, Ohio Air National Guard]

(Left to Right) Ivan Tasic, Translator; LTC Rade Randjelovic, Chief of Staff, 204th Air Force Base; COL Jovica Draganic, Chief of Operations; LTC Darko Perisic, Ministry of Defense Senior Desk Officer; MG Harry Feucht, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Ohio National Guard; COL Dragan Katanic, Chief of the Air Force (right, facing away)

American and Serbian Officers

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