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Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro

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Yugoslav War Air Force (1992–2003)
War Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006)
Emblem of the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
FoundedApril 27, 1992
DisbandedJune 3, 2006
Country Serbia and Montenegro
TypeAir force, air defense force
Sizeabout 16,000 personnel
450 aircraft total
Part of Military of Serbia and Montenegro
Air Force HQZemun, Belgrade, Serbia
PatronSaint Elijah
Colors  Azure
EngagementsYugoslav Wars
Insignia
Roundel
Fin
Aircraft flown
AttackJ-22, G-4, Mi-24, SA.342 GAMA
FighterMiG-29, MiG-21Bis
InterceptorMiG-21Bis
ReconnaissanceMiG-21M, MiG-21R, IJ-22, INJ-22, SA.341 HERA
TrainerUtva 75, G-4, NJ-22
TransportAn-2, An-26, YAK-40, Mi-8

The Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro (Serbian: Ратно Ваздухопловство Србије и Црне Горе, РВСиЦГ, romanized: Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo Srbije i Crne Gore, lit. 'War Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro', RVSiCG), also known as the Air Force of Yugoslavia (JRV; Serbian: Југословенско Ратно Ваздухопловство, romanized: Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo, lit. 'Yugoslav War Air Force') from 1992 to 2003, was the air force of the former Serbia and Montenegro. It had around 300 fighter aircraft, ground attack aircraft, and other aircraft. The air force, in 1998, had about 16,000 personnel. The air force was disbanded when Montenegro voted to secede from the ex-FRY in 2006. The bulk of it was inherited by the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence.[1]

History

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Creation and consolidation

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Reorganization

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Operation Allied Force

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Around 50 Yugoslav aircraft were lost during the Kosovo War when NATO aircraft attacked FRY forces in 1999. Six MiG-29s were destroyed in dogfights against F-15s, F-16s, and F-18s. Other MiG-29s were destroyed on the ground when NATO forces attacked the FRY's Batajnica Airfield.

Casualties

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The commander-in-chief of the Air Force said that Air Force and Air Defense had 40 killed and 110 wounded personnel in combat.

Air Force and Air Defense used innovative tactics to counter technologically more advanced and numerically superior opponents. AF & AD C-in-C Lieutenant General Spasoje Smiljanić was promoted to the rank of Colonel General and awarded Medal of War Flag - First Degree. Deputy of C-in-C Supreme Command Headquarters for the AF Colonel General Ljubiša Veličković was awarded the Medal of War Flag - First Degree. General Veličković was killed in combat.

Air combat
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Captain Zoran Radosavljević in 1997.

The first Yugoslav planes in the air were the Knights of the 127th LAE (127th Fighter Squadron) with their MiG-29s (they were the only unit operating them). Based on publicly released data one could conclude that three MiGs were scrambled from Batajnica Air Base with Lieutenant Colonel Ljubiša Kulačin, Major Nebojša Nikolić and Major Milorad Milutinović in the cockpits and two (Lieutenant Colonel Dragan Ilić, Major Iljo Arizanov) from Niš Airport. Since Germany had the same type of MiG-29 for a decade, NATO was expected to be successful in jamming radar and communication with GC center. Bearing that in mind and the fact that great numbers of enemy aircraft were in the air backed by four AWACS planes, Yugoslav pilots applied new tactics. They abandoned the usual leader-wingman formations and used fast solo dashes near ground to stay out of sight and then, when close enough to fire their R-73s (AA-11 Archer air-to-air missiles), engage in a vertical climb trying to get a firing solution with their KOLS laser - IR rangefinder/homing system.

The following pilots were awarded Bravery Medals and promoted to higher ranks:

  • Major Nebojsa Nikolić
  • Major Slobodan Perić (killed in car accident 30 May 2010)
  • Major Predrag Milutinović
  • Major Iljo Arizanov
  • Captain, 1st class Zoran Radosavljević, killed in combat

Other pilots that flew combat missions (based on data gathered so far):

  • Colonel General Ljubiša Veličković
  • Colonel Milenko Pavlovic, commander of 204. Fighter Aviation Regiment, killed in combat
  • Lieutenant Colonel Ljubiša Kulačin
  • Lieutenant Colonel Dragan Ilić
  • Major Abdul Emeti
  • Major Bora Zoraja
  • Major Dragan Milenković

List of awarded units

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250. Rocket Brigade AD received the Order of the National Hero medal, the highest military medal for their exceptional service during the war.

126. VOJIN Brigade received the Order of the National Hero medal, the highest military medal for their exceptional service during the war.

List of awarded members

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  • Lieutenant Colonel Zivota Duric, Bravery Medal and promotion to higher rank. He was killed when his J-22 Orao hit a hill.[2]
  • Colonel Kis Bela, Bravery Medal
  • Colonel Ostojic Goran, Bravery Medal
  • Lieutenant Colonel Sreto Malinovic, Medal of Honor
  • Major Vukicevic Srđan, Bravery Medal
  • Major Milenkovic Sava, Bravery Medal
  • Major Nikcevic Rade, Bravery Medal
  • Major Milovanovic Aleksa and Captain, 1st class Jovanovic Srđan got Distinguished Service Medal's for rescuing downed pilot under enemy fire
  • Captain, 1st class Abrt Emilijan, Bravery Medal
  • Captain, 1st class Mrvljevic Nebojsa, Bravery Medal
  • Captain Bulatovic Nenad, Bravery Medal
  • Captain Spasic Nenad, Bravery Medal
  • Senior Sergeant, 1st class Vukovic Dragan, Bravery Medal
  • Sergeant, 1st class Aksic Milos, Bravery Medal
  • Sergeant, 1st class Komazec Zdravko, Bravery Medal
  • Sergeant, 1st class Djurcic Dragan, Bravery Medal

List of destroyed aircraft

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Aircraft Serial Place Crew
MiG-29 18103 Batajnica
MiG-29 18104 Niš
MiG-29 18106 near Kruševac Maj. Predrag "Grof" Milutinović, shot down by Dutch F-16AM J-063 [3]
MiG-29 18107 Batajnica
MiG-29 18109 near Valjevo Col. Milenko Pavlović†, shot down by NATO
MiG-29 18110 Ponikve Maj. Slobodan Tešanović, noncombat flight
MiG-29 18111 near Titel Maj. Nebojša Nikolić, shot down by NATO
MiG-29 18112 near Priština Maj. Iljo Arizanov, shot down by possible friendly fire
MiG-29 18113 near Loznica Capt. 1st Class Zoran Radoslavljević†, shot down by NATO
MiG-29 18114 near Bjeljina Maj. Slobodan Perić, shot down by NATO
MiG-29UB 18302 Batajnica
G-4 Super Galeb 23693 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4 Super Galeb 23694 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4 Super Galeb 23695 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4 Super Galeb 23696 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4 Super Galeb 23697 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4 Super Galeb 23698 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4 Super Galeb 23699 Leteće Zvezde Golubovci
G-4t Super Galeb 23604 Batajnica
G-4t Super Galeb 23606 Batajnica
J-22 Orao 25104 near Paraćin Maj.Života Đurić†
J-22 Orao 25204 Ponikve
J-22 Orao 25205 Ponikve
NJ-22 Orao 25532 Ponikve
NJ-22 Orao 25533 Ponikve
J-22 Orao 25174 Ponikve
J-22 Orao 25168 Ponikve
IJ-22 Orao 25709 Moma center
NJ-22 Orao 25527 Batajnica
J-22 Orao 25164 Batajnica
J-22 Orao 25152 Lađevci
J-22 Orao 25207 Lađevci
MiG-21 Bis 17135
MiG-21 Bis 17220 Batajnica
MiG-21 Bis 17228 Batajnica
MiG-21 Bis 17231 Batajnica
MiG-21 Bis 17401 Batajnica
MiG-21 Bis-K 17208 Batajnica
MiG-21 Bis 17162 Priština
MiG-21 Bis 17169 Priština
MiG-21 Bis 17170 Priština
MiG-21 Bis 17224 Priština
MiG-21 Bis 17166 Lađevci
MiG-21 Bis ? Batajnica
MiG-21 Bis ? Ponikve
MiG-21 Bis ? Sjenica
MiG-21 M ? Batajnica
MiG-21 UM 16151 Batajnica
An-2 70301 Leskovac
An-2 70374 Leskovac
An-2 70357 Leskovac
Mi-14PL 11351 Golubovci
Mi-14PL 11352 Golubovci
Mi-14PL 11354 Golubovci
Ka-25PL 11305 Golubovci
Ka-25PL 11306 Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23211 Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
G-2 Galeb 23??? Golubovci
Utva 75 53001 Pančevo, Utva
Utva 75A 53263 Pančevo, Utva
Utva 75AG 53265 Pančevo, Utva
Utva 75R 53166 Pančevo, Utva
Utva 75 53213 Sombor
Lasta 95 54151 Pančevo, Utva
Lasta 95 54153 Pančevo, Utva
Lasta 95 54154 Pančevo, Utva
Lasta 95 54155 Pančevo, Utva
Lasta 95 54156 Pančevo, Utva
Mi-8 12??? Kosovo
Mi-8 12??? Kosovo

Organization

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Structure

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1992–1994

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  • Air Force and Air Defense Command
      • 333rd Engineering Battalion
      • 322nd Signal Battalion
      • 138th Transport Aviation Brigade
      • 280th Center for Electronic Reconnaissance and Jamming
      • Flight Test Center
    • Aviation Corps
      • 83rd Aviation Brigade
      • 172nd Aviation Brigade
      • 204th Aviation Brigade
      • 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment
      • 97th Helicopter Regiment
      • 119th Helicopter Regiment
    • Air Defense Corps
      • 210th Signal Battalion
      • 126th Air Surveillance/Intelligence and Guidance Brigade
      • 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 450th Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 60th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 230th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 240th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 310th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 311th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment

1994–1996

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  • Air Force and Air Defense Command
      • 138th Transport Aviation Brigade
      • 280th Center for Electronic Reconnaissance and Jamming
      • Flight Test Center
    • Aviation Corps
      • 333rd Engineering Battalion
      • 172nd Aviation Brigade
      • 98th Aviation Brigade
      • 119th Helicopter Regiment
    • Air Defense Corps
      • 359th Engineering Battalion
      • 210th Signal Battalion
      • 83rd Fighter Aviation Regiment
      • 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment
      • 126th Air Surveillance/Intelligence and Guidance Brigade
      • 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 450th Air Defense Missile Regiment
      • 60th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 230th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 240th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 310th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 311th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment

1996–1999

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  • Air Force and Air Defense Command
        • 353rd Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron "Sokolovi"
        • 677th Transport Aviation Squadron "Rode"
        • 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron "Pegazi"
      • 280th Center for Electronic Reconnaissance and Jamming
      • Flight Test Center
    • Aviation Corps
      • 333rd Engineering Battalion
      • 172nd Aviation Brigade
      • 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment
      • 119th Helicopter Brigade
    • Air Defense Corps
      • 359th Engineering Battalion
      • 210th Signal Battalion
      • 83rd Fighter Aviation Regiment
      • 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment
      • 126th Air Surveillance/Intelligence and Guidance Brigade
      • 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 450th Air Defense Missile Regiment
      • 60th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 230th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 240th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 310th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 311th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment

1999–2002

[edit]
  • Air Force and Air Defense Command
        • 353rd Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron "Sokolovi"
        • 677th Transport Aviation Squadron "Rode"
        • 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron "Pegazi"
      • 280th Center for Electronic Reconnaissance and Jamming
      • Flight Test Center
    • Aviation Corps
      • 333rd Engineering Battalion
      • 172nd Aviation Brigade
      • 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment
      • 119th Helicopter Brigade
    • Air Defense Corps
      • 359th Engineering Battalion
      • 210th Signal Battalion
      • 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment
      • 126th Air Surveillance/Intelligence and Guidance Brigade
      • 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 450th Air Defense Missile Regiment
      • 60th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 230th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 240th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 310th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment

2002–2006

[edit]
  • Air Force and Air Defense Command
        • 353rd Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron "Sokolovi"
        • 677th Transport Aviation Squadron "Rode"
        • 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron "Pegazi"
      • 280th Center for Electronic Reconnaissance and Jamming
      • Flight Test Center
    • Aviation Corps
      • 333rd Engineering Battalion
      • 172nd Aviation Brigade
      • 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment
      • 119th Helicopter Brigade
    • Air Defense Corps
      • 359th Engineering Battalion
      • 210th Signal Battalion
      • 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment
      • 126th Air Surveillance/Intelligence and Guidance Brigade
      • 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade
      • 230th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 240th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment
      • 310th Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Regiment


Branches and services

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Aviation Air Defense Rocket-artillery Units Early-warning Control and Reporting System Air Force Technical Service

Ranks

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Main article: Military ranks of Serbia and Montenegro

Officers

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The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
Генерал армије
General armije 		Генерал-пуковник
General-pukovnik 		Генерал-потпуковник
General-potpukovnik 		Генерал-мајор
General-major 		Пуковник
Pukovnik 		Потпуковник
Potpukovnik 		Мајор
Major 		Капетан прве класе
Kapetan 1. klase 		Капетан
Kapetan 		Поручник
Poručnik 		Потпоручник
Potporučnik

Other ranks

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The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
Заставник прве класе
Zastavnik 1. klase 		Заставник
Zastavnik 		Старији водник прве класе
Stariji vodnik 1. klase 		Старији водник
Stariji vodnik 		Водник прве класе
Vodnik 1. klase 		Водник
Vodnik 		Млађи водник
Mlađi vodnik 		Десетар
Desetar 		Разводник
Razvodnik 		Војник
Vojnik

Inventory

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Inventory 1998

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Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-21 Soviet Union fighter MiG-21bis

MiG-21R

52
MiG-29 Soviet Union multirole MiG-29A 14
Soko G-4 Super Galeb Yugoslavia attack 47
Soko J-22 Orao Yugoslavia attack 39
Transport
Antonov An-2 Soviet Union utility An-2TD 4
Antonov An-26 Soviet Union transport 12
Dornier Do 28 Germany utility Do 28D 2
Yakovlev Yak-40 Soviet Union VIP 4
Helicopters
Aérospatiale Gazelle France / Yugoslavia utility SOKO HO-42

SOKO HI-42 Hera

SOKO HN-42M Gama

SOKO HN-45M Gama 2

75
Kamov Ka-25 Soviet Union ASW Ka-25PL 4
Kamov Ka-27 Soviet Union ASW Ka-28PL 2
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union utility Mi-8T 44
Mil Mi-14 Soviet Union ASW Mi-14PL 3
Trainers
MiG-21 Soviet Union conversion trainer MiG-21UM 11
MiG-29 Soviet Union conversion trainer MiG-29UB 2
Soko G-2 Galeb Yugoslavia attack / trainer G-2š 17
Soko G-4 Super Galeb Yugoslavia attack / trainer Soko G-4š 13

Inventory 2003

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Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-21 Soviet Union fighter MiG-21bis

MiG-21R

27 25 destroyed during the Kosovo War
MiG-29 Soviet Union multirole MiG-29A 4 10 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Soko G-4 Super Galeb Yugoslavia attack 23 24 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Soko J-22 Orao Yugoslavia attack 16 23 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Transport
Antonov An-2 Soviet Union utility An-2TD 1 3 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Antonov An-26 Soviet Union transport 2 10 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Yakovlev Yak-40 Soviet Union VIP 1 3 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Helicopters
Aérospatiale Gazelle France / Yugoslavia utility SOKO HO-42

SOKO HI-42 Hera

SOKO HN-42M Gama

SOKO HN-45M Gama 2

62 13 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Kamov Ka-25 Soviet Union ASW Ka-25PL 1 3 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union utility Mi-8T 39 5 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Trainers
MiG-21 Soviet Union conversion trainer MiG-21UM 6 5 destroyed during the Kosovo War
MiG-29 Soviet Union conversion trainer MiG-29UB 1 1 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Soko G-2 Galeb Yugoslavia attack / trainer Soko G-2š 1 16 destroyed during the Kosovo War
Soko G-4 Super Galeb Yugoslavia attack / trainer Soko G-4š 8 5 destroyed during the Kosovo War

Successors

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The successors are the Serbian Air Force and the Montenegrin Air Force.

References

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  1. ^ "Modernization of the Serbian Air Force —". 2020-10-11. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  2. ^ Manolache, D., & Chiş, C. (2015). NATO BOMBING IN THE FORMER REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA. Scientific Research & Education in the Air Force-AFASES, 1.
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071017035011/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/mig-29.htm
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