10.09.2010.

Live shooting in Bulgaria

Today, at the training ground of Sabla, Bulgaria, the 250th rocket brigade of the SAF air force performed a successful live shooting deploying “Neva” and “Kub” rocket systems. In the last 21 years, since 1989, and except its deployment the NATO bombardment, our air force has not had an opportunity to deploy its rocket systems and missile launchers. The last such live shooting was performed in the Adriatic coast and in the former Soviet Union.

Live shooting was conducted in two stages, with the “Kub” and “Neva” rocket launchers being deployed to shoot down parachute targets which were dropped over the Black Sea.

The members of the 250th rocket brigade all 45 of them demonstrated a high level of expertise and professionalism, so no wonder they were awarded the National Hero sash on their war flag.

Brig. Gen. Miodrag Gordic, PhD, the commander of the brigade was not at all surprised with the success in Bulgaria.

- Our rocket systems have one of the best systems for checking the operational capabilities which entails detailed control of staff and equipment based on a line of parameters, that is just like the dotting the Is in a long process which is performed daily in our units. Therefore all these procedures you could see today in Sabla have been rehearsed many a time in our barracks and on our training grounds, as General Gordic said.

This live shooting exercise is the testimony of the high level of preparedness, which makes it even more rewarding, as Gordic underlined, stating that the majority of the members had not had a chance to participate in live shooting or combat activities.

- The air defense shooting is a team work, no one can claim personal credit, as we are all part of a chain, from mechanics to commanders, from a sergeant to a general.

This was evident in the joint work of the commanders of the Neva and Kub divisions, namely, Tiosav Jankovic and Igor Golubovic respectively, who spent every minute with their men, while also having excellent cooperation with their Bulgarian colleagues.

Since there are no military grounds which would meet the standards for such shootings, our air force will be performing them abroad, in those countries which possess the same missile systems as the Serbian air force.