Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
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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]
| 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 | |
| Founded | April 27, 1992 |
| Disbanded | June 3, 2006 |
| Country |  Serbia and Montenegro |
| Type | Air force, air defense force |
| Size | about 16,000 personnel 450 aircraft total |
| Part of |  Military of Serbia and Montenegro |
| Air Force HQ | Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia |
| Patron | Saint Elijah |
| Colors | Azure |
| Engagements | Yugoslav Wars |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | .svg) |
| 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 |
History
editCreation and consolidation
editReorganization
editOperation Allied Force
editAround 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
editThe 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
edit
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
edit250. 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
edit- 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
edit| 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
editStructure
edit1992–1994
edit- 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
edit- 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
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
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
edit| Aviation | Air Defense Rocket-artillery Units | Early-warning Control and Reporting System | Air Force Technical Service |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Ranks
editOfficers
editThe rank insignia of commissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
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| 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
editThe rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro
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| 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
editInventory 1998
edit| 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
edit| 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
editThe successors are the Serbian Air Force and the Montenegrin Air Force.
References
edit- ^ "Modernization of the Serbian Air Force —". 2020-10-11. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
- ^ Manolache, D., & Chiş, C. (2015). NATO BOMBING IN THE FORMER REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA. Scientific Research & Education in the Air Force-AFASES, 1.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20071017035011/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/mig-29.htm