Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro

Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
	Seal of the Serbia and Montenegro Air Force
Active	April 27, 1992 - June 3, 2006
Country	Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006)
Type	Air Force and Air Defense
Size	about 16,000 personnel ; 450 aircraft total
Part of	Military of Serbia and Montenegro
Air Force HQ	Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
Patron	Saint Elijah
Colors	Azure
Engagements	Operation Allied Force
Insignia
Roundel
Fin
Aircraft flown
Attack	J-22, G-4, Mi-24, SA.342 GAMA
Fighter	MiG-29, MiG-21Bis
Interceptor	MiG-21Bis
Reconnaissance	MiG-21M, MiG-21R, IJ-22, INJ-22, SA.341 HERA
Trainer	Utva 75, G-4, NJ-22
Transport	An-2, An-26, YAK-40, Mi-8

The Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro (Serbian: Ратно Ваздухопловство Србије и Црне Горе, РВСиЦГ; Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo Srbije i Crne Gore, RVSiCG), also named Air Force of Yugoslavia (Serbian: Југословенско Ратно Ваздухопловство, ЈРВ; Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo, JRV) in the 1992-2003 period, 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 FRY in 2006. The bulk of it was inherited by the Serbian Air Force.

History

Creation and consolidation

Reorganization

Operation Allied Force

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

Heroes of the War

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

Air Force and Air Defense members fought bravely and 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.

Knights in combat

The first Yugoslav planes in the air were the Knights of the 127th LAE (127th Fighter Squadron) with their MiG-29s (they are 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

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

Lieutenant Colonel Zivota Duric, Bravery Medal and promotion to higher rank. He was killed in combat when he tried to ram enemy aircraft with his badly damaged J-22 Orao.
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 FRY destroyed aircraft

Aircraft	Serial	Place	Crew
MiG-29	18103	Batajnica
MiG-29	18104	Niš
MiG-29	18106	near Kruševac	Maj.Predrag "Grof" Milutinović, shot down by friendly fire
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

Structure

1992-1994

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ranks of the RV i PVO SRJ/SCG

	Generals			Officers

Ranks in Serbian	Генерал Пуковник General Pukovnik	Генерал-Потпуковник General-Potpukovnik	Генерал-Мајор General-Major	Пуковник Pukovnik	Потпуковник Potpukovnik	Мајор Major	Капетан I класе Kapetan I klase	Капетан Kapetan	Поручник Poručnik	Потпоручник Potporučnik
Ranks	Colonel General	Lieutenant Colonel General	Major General	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain, 1st class	Captain	Lieutenant	Sublieutenant

	NCOs						Soldiers

Ranks in Serbian	Заставник I класе Zastavnik I klase	Заставник Zastavnik	Старији Водник I класе Stariji Vodnik I klase	Старији Водник Stariji Vodnik	Водник I класе Vodnik I klase	Водник Vodnik	Млађи водник Mlađi vodnik	Десетар Desetar	Разводник Razvodnik
Ranks	Warrant Officer, 1st class	Warrant Officer	Staff Sergeant 1st class	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant First Class	Sergeant	Junior Sergeant	Corporal	Airman First Class

Successors

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

References