12.06.2012.

International symposium on a century of military aviation

At the Air Force HQ in Zemun an International Scientific Symposium "100 years of Serbian military aviation" started today.

Upon opening the meeting, the commander of Air Force Major General Ranko Zivak said that 2012 would be declared the year of Serbian military aviation, but also the year of pride, because our country is one of the few countries worldwide that can boast of marking such an important anniversary.

- Few generations are fortunate and privileged to organize and participate in the celebration of the centenary of military aviation. Therefore, we are honored to celebrate such an important anniversary in a fitting manner, and also we have dual commitment to many generations of airmen who during the development of the Serbian Air Force built their knowledge and power, and some even their lives, and to future generations as well – as General Zivak pointed out, announcing activities that would be organized in celebration of a century of Serbian military aviation, highlighting the international air show which is to be held on 2nd September at the Batajnica airport.

Recalling the century of aviation, he reminded the present of the most important moments in the development of military aviation in this region, stressing that Serbia was one of the first countries to realize the importance of aviation and airspace in warfare.

Expressing satisfaction with participation in such an important anniversary, the Head of Section for Air Force History with the Ministry of Defence of France, Marie Catherine Vilatu said that during the meeting she talked about the importance of French participation in the initial stages of development of the Serbian Air Force.

The aim of this two-day symposium is to enable all interested local and foreign authors - historians, engineers - designers, pilots, commanders, professors, technicians, doctors of medicine and aviation reporters in the field of military aviation during the two sessions, to shed light on some segments, periods and events from the rich history of the Serbian military aviation.