23.02.2026.

Combat training in Serbian Armed Forces helicopter units

As part of regular training conducted in the Air Force units of the Serbian Armed Forces, the 119^th Mixed Helicopter Squadron conducted a tactical drill, including relocation from their home air base in Niš to an airfield near Leskovac.

During the exercise, the helicopter squadron personnel’s proficiency and teamwork were assessed, as well as their coordination with members of the 98^th Air Brigade’s 161^st Battalion responsible for securing the air base. The unit also fired missiles at ground targets at the Pasuljanske Livade range, while a part of the unit practised helicopter landing.

Squadron Commander Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandar Aksentijević explained that this is a part of a broader training conducted daily within the unit.

— Special attention was given to the coordination between the squadron’s flight crew and technical personnel, as well as to their synchronization with the units responsible for securing the air base. They jointly demonstrated their ability to rapidly redeploy, relocate, and to promptly continue executing combat flight missions – Lieutenant Colonel Aksentijević emphasised.

Nearly all squadron members and technical personnel of all specialties participated in the missile firing drills.

Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandar Živković, Deputy Squadron Commander, explained that during the training, his younger team-mates verified the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they had obtained over the previous period.

— This phase is the culmination of the H-145M helicopter training, and it helps crews to round off their theoretical and practical knowledge and become fully qualified to use the aircraft in both its basic and auxiliary roles. This is an unusual profession, a profession that requires a lot of commitment, knowledge, personal effort, ultimately bringing you joy for doing a job that not everyone can do – Lieutenant Colonel Živković emphasised.

Captain Saša Stojmenović, an H-145 helicopter pilot, noted that being a military pilot gives one an opportunity to work in a selected and professional collective.

— This job is filled with everyday challenges and gives you the opportunity for personal development in both military and professional sense – said Captain Stojmenović.

The Mixed Helicopter Squadron “Zmajevi” (Dragons) is part of the 98^th Air Brigade and is based at the Sergeant Pilot Mihajlo Petrović air base in Niš. It is tasked with a broad range of tasks, including search and rescue, MEDEVAC, aerial transport, and providing air support to Serbian Armed Forces troops in operations.