07.11.2025.
Eighty Years of the Aeromedical Institute
An official ceremony was held today at the Aviation Club in Zemun to mark the Day of the Aeromedical Institute (VMI) and the 80th anniversary of this institution of the Serbian Armed Forces.
The ceremony was attended by State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Mile Jelić, Head of the Operations Directorate (J-3) of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Major General Gordan Pavlović, Deputy Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Brigadier General Novica Gogić, active and retired members of the Air Force and Air Defence and the Aeromedical Institute, as well as representatives of the Municipality of Zemun.
In his address, Head of the Aeromedical Institute Lieutenant Colonel Nenad Bačević highlighted that this institution safeguards what is most valuable — the health and safety of our pilots, parachutists, and aircrew — while also recalling the Institute’s rich history.
“What began as a small hospital for injured pilots soon evolved into a specialised institution uniting doctors, researchers, and engineers. Today, the functional tasks of the Aeromedical Institute include the selection and regular annual examinations of pilots, parachutists, and aircrew, physiological training, testing of protective flight equipment, as well as scientific research and educational activities. The Institute is also responsible for conducting comprehensive specialist medical examinations of candidates for deployment to peacekeeping missions," said Lieutenant Colonel Bačević.
On the occasion of the anniversary, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia was presented with a plaque for successful cooperation, received by the Assistant Director of that institution, Aleksandar Godić. The ceremony concluded with the premiere of a documentary film tracing the history and growth of the Aeromedical Institute, produced by the Military Film Centre “Zastava Film.”
The Day of the Aeromedical Institute — 11th November — commemorates the founding of the Aviation Medical Centre in 1945. Over the past eight decades, it has changed its name, organisational structure, and location, but has consistently remained recognised for its specialised expertise in aviation medicine. Today, 80 years later, the Institute stands as a place where experience meets modern medicine, tradition meets science, and military discipline is united with the humanity of the medical profession.
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