23.11.2012.

Marking the Day of 250th Missile Brigade

Laying wreaths at the Memorial to the fallen members of the 250th Missile Brigade during the NATO bombing in the Banjica barracks and parade of units at the Military Academy were to mark the Day of the 250th Missile Brigade and a jubilee – 50 years since the formation of the unit.

The ceremony was attended by the Air Force and Air Defence Commander Brigadier General Ranko Živak and his associates, members of the Collegium of the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, unit commanders, families of the deceased members of the Brigade, retired unit members, clergy, local government representatives, as well as numerous friends and guests.

General Zivak said that the year 2012 is a jubilee in many ways, mentioning the celebration of 100 years of the Serbian Air Force and 50 years of the 250th Missile Brigade.

- I can say that we are the lucky generation that has the opportunity and the ability to mark such important jubilees. It is a great honour and a big commitment. It is an obligation to the generations that are to come and continue to build our branch and our units, General Zivak said, adding that the formation of 250th Missile Regiment and introduction of missile units was a qualitative leap in the development of AF&AD service branch.

- In the long period of development there were numerous periods of prosperity, progress and development, but unfortunately also very difficult times through which our military and our nation passed. What I would like to emphasize is the fact that our people, even in the most difficult moments, have always been at the height of their task, both in terms of patriotism and professionalism, the AF&AD Commander said and praised the members of that unit for their dedication, effort and willingness to do their best.

General Zivak reminded of the regular tasks of protection of the airspace of the Republic of Serbia, but also of training – a continuous, high-quality, complete process. He pointed out the task of building a healthy and strong military collective as an imperative and condition for the tasks to be successfully completed.

Addressing the audience, Commander of 250th Missile Brigade, Brigadier General Dusko Zarkovi? noted that members of that unit, during 50 years, were proud to follow the words of the first commander of that unit, Colonel Stevan Roglic, who emphasized on the occasion of the formation of the unit that the history of the 250th Missile Regiment is to be written by the efforts and devoted work of soldiers and officers, who are selflessly investing in themselves, but also by training them to carry out tasks in air defence of our country. As such, the unit should be used to create a tradition that will educate young officers.

- These are the words that were proven in 1999, in the most difficult times for our country and for our unit. During all 78 days of bombing, members of the missile units conducted a heroic fight against much superior enemy exhibiting maximum sacrifice, high level of training and morale. They were an inspiration and an example of how to defend the homeland, and now historic overthrow of the invisible F-117A was a powerful stimulus to the entire population to endure to the end. In carrying out their tasks, unfortunately, 28 heroes were killed, he said.

In the period between the jubilees, the unit, according to the Brigade Commander, continues execution of tasks, control and protection of the sovereignty of the airspace of the Republic of Serbia and raising operational capabilities, while mission-oriented training, quality maintenance of missile-radar equipment and support for the modernization of existing systems, provides the achievement of the capability required for the accomplishment of the dedicated task.

After the ceremonial line-up and parade of unit, modernization made on missile systems NEVA and KUB was presented.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial to the fallen members of the 250th Missile Brigade who gave their lives for the defence of their fatherland by the representatives of the unit commands, family members, representatives of the war elements, the local city government and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

On behalf of the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Bishop of Hvostan Atanasije (Rakita) congratulated the members of the 250th Rocket Brigade their holiday. Actresses Jelena and Ivana Zigon complemented the art programme reciting poems.