18.05.2011.

OSCE representatives visit aviaton base

The visit of representatives of 24 signatories of the Vienna Agreement ended yesterday, who during a two-day visit, visited the 204th Aviation Brigade and the Special Brigade. The aim of the visit was to strengthen mutual confidence through openness among the partners. During this return visits to military bases and units of the signatory countries, the delegations have an opportunity to see for themselves if all the principles of the Vienna Agreement are strictly adhered to.

The spokesperson of the OSCE and head of the Vienna Document Verification Body Colonel Joerg Kunze presented today is very positive impression of the entire delegation, adding that the units are presenting their ability to derive more than satisfactory. Republic of Serbia, he said, fully comply with the Vienna agreement, which is the official conclusion of an international team of inspectors.

The visit of the representatives of the OSCE, which is organized once every five years, started their visit in the 204th aviation brigade at the airport Batajnica. Brigade Commander Col. Predrag Bandic acquainted the guests with organizational structure of the unit as well as the focal tasks it performs in accordance with its purpose and responsibilities.

During the tour to Batajnica airport the guests met with the members of the 204th Aviation Brigade and watched the demonstration of routine operations presented by unit commanders. International representatives visited the Institute of Aviation Medicine, rooms of the 252nd training aircraft squadron, 101st fighter squadron, all the companies of the 24th Aviation Technical Battalion, airport control tower, 138th transport aviation squadron, the 890th mixed helicopter squadron and flight simulator for MiG 29 aircraft including the center for learning English.

The delegation also visited the warehouse for storing ordnance and tactical and technical assembly of aircraft that are within the brigade. The guests also had an opportunity to seen the flight program in the form of coordinated simulation fighter attack the immediate support of attack aircrafts. Observers could see a simulation of MiG 29 qucik reaction alert air crafts always on alert to protect the air space, ready in less than five minutes of take off in case of any violation of airspace of the Republic of Serbia.

Second day of the visit of the representatives of the Vienna Document Signatories visited the Special Brigade in Pancevo, where they had a chance to visit the subordinate units , attend the presentation of their main tasks through demonstration exercises, see the display of equipment and weapons and a tour of the barracks. Introductory briefing was held by the Special Brigade Commander Brigadier General Ilija Todorov, who presented the organizational structure, tasks and principles of the unit.

During the tour they had the opportunity to see the tactical and technical equipment and weapons, as well as to attend the demonstration and practice of physical fitness and conditioning training, presentations and anti-terrorist actions and parachute landing. Guests were also shown the accommodation and logistics facilities of the barracks “Rastko Nemanjic", a firing range and a memorial room Brigade.