24.12.2019.
Congratulatory message from President Aleksandar Vučić on the occasion of the Day of the Air Force and Air Defense
I congratulate 24 December – Day of the branch to all the Air Force and Air Defense members.
More than a century ago, Voivoda Radomir Putnik issued a Decision on the formation of an Air Force Command based in Niš. At that time, Serbia was one of the fifteen countries in the world to have military aviation and one of the first five countries in the world to use aircraft in combat action during the siege of Shkodra in 1913.
Preserving the memory of your predecessors with dignity, professionally completing your tasks day after day justifies the epitome from the song about you: “steel wings of our armed forces” that adorns you.
The results you achieve, as well as active participation in international military exercises, constantly raise the levels of operational and functional capabilities, contributing to the affirmation of your vision and strengthening the reputation of the Serbian Armed Forces as a whole.
Over the period behind us, the state has made and is making tremendous efforts, the largest in the last almost four decades, to procure aircraft, helicopters, air defense systems, as well as to provide professional development and training for members of your branch, as well as increasing personal income and settling the housing issues, to strengthen our Air Force and Air Defence as the brave guardians of our skies, always ready to defend the independence policy and military neutrality of the Republic of Serbia.
I congratulate you on the holiday, convinced that due to a high degree of professionalism you will be able to successfully complete the forthcoming obligations and planned tasks that pose new and complex requirements on the Air Force and Air Defense members.
