Republika Srpska Air Force

Attack

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Reconnaissance

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Trainer

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Total
J-21

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IJ-21

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NJ-21

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4

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2

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3

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10|
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SOKO J-22 Orao
YUG
Attack
J-22
7|
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Lola Utva 75
YUG
Trainer
V-53
2|
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Aérospatiale Gazelle
FRA/YUG
Multirole/Attack Helicopter
SA.341H Gama
8?

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Mil Mi-8
USSR
Transport helicopter
Mi-8T
11?|
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Withdrawn or destroyed aircraft

*1x NJ-22 Orao attack-trainer was withdrawn at winter, 1996 because of a lack of resources,
*?x J-22 Orao attack aircraft were shot down,
*4x J-21 Jastreb attack aircraft were shot down by the United States Air Force
*5x Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopters were destroyed as a result of enemy fire or accidents,
*2x Mi-8T transport helicopters were destroyed as a result of enemy fire or accidents.

History

Following the declarations of independence by Slovenia, Croatia and Republic of Macedonia, the leadership of Bosnia-Herzegovina also declared independence at the end of 1991 after a referendum which was boycotted by most Bosnian Serbs. Feeling themselves Serbs because of their history, religion and traditions, Bosnian Serbs rejected the declaration, and established an alternative assembly, holding a referendum in November 1991 on remaining in the rump Yugoslav federation. After the declaration of independence by Bosnia and Herzegovina the Bosnian Serbs began to form autonomous enclaves and finally on 9th January 1992 the "independent state" of Republic of Srpska (Republika Srpska) was declared within Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Air Force and Air Defence Force (Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protivvazdusna Odbrana Vojske Republike Srpske - RV i PVO VRS) was established, and took over operations from the Yugoslav Air Force and Air Defence Forces (Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protiv Vazdusna Odbrana or JRV i PVO). The barracks at Zaluzani became home to the Command and subordinated units of the newly created Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Army of the Republic of Srpska. The official ceremony that was intended to mark the creation of the Bosnian Serb Air Force and Air Defence Forces took place at Zaluzani air base on 27 May 1992.

The majority of the fixed-wing aircraft were originally part of the 82 ab (Aviation Brigade), consisting out of 237 lbae (Fighter Bomber Squadron with the J-21 Jastreb), 238 lbae (named "Vrbas Lynxes" flying the J-22 Orao) and 351 iae (Reconnaissance Squadron with the IJ-21, J-22 en IJ-22), that was located at the Slovenian airbase of Cerklje.

In the night of 27th to 28th June 1991, following an attack by Slovenian forces, 67 aircraft were flown out of Cerklje to Zadar-Zemunik airbase in Croatia. Among others, the Yugoslav People's Army completely withdraw the 474 vazduhoplovna baza (474 Air Base) from Slovenia, a unit that was responsible for Cerklje air base. During the withdrawal every movable object, including the runway lighting and ILS system, was dismantled and removed. On 12 August 1991, the 474 Air Base was re-established in Banja Luka and become responsible both for Mahovljani and Zaluzani airfields.

Finally, on 11 August 1991, the majority of the aircraft from the 82 Aviation Brigade were once again relocated, but this time to their final destination, the Mahovljani airfield near Banja Luka. At Mahovljani, the 474 Air Base was renumbered to 74 Air Base, and the former Yugoslav Air Force 237 Fighter-bomber Aviation Squadron and 238 Fighter-bomber Aviation Squadron, were re-established as Republic of Srpska Air Force 27 Fighter-bomber Aviation Squadron and 28 Fighter-bomber Aviation Squadron, respectively, each reporting directly to the command of the air force and Air defense forces.

The helicopter fleet used to be part of the 111 AB (Aviation Brigade) at Zagreb-Pleso (Croatia) that composed of four squadrons: 679 trae (Transport Aviation Squadron) equipped with An-2 and An-26 transport aircraft, 711 pohe (Anti-armour Helicopter Squadron) equipped with Gazelle GAMA anti-tank helicopters, 713 pohe (Anti-armour Helicopter Squadron) equipped with Gazelle GAMA anti-tank helicopters and 780 the (Transport Helicopter Squadron) equipped with Mi-8T transport helicopters. Elements of all three helicopter squadrons along with Gazelle-HERA liaison helicopters inherited from the headquarters of the 2nd Sarajevo Military Districts of the former Yugoslav People's Army were used as a base for creation of the Republic of Srpska Air Force 11 hp (Helicopter Regiment) that, based at former tank-barracks of Zaluzani, consisted of two squadrons: 711 Anti-armour Helicopter Squadron, equipped with Gazelle-GAMA and Gazelle-HERA helicopters, and 780 Transport Helicopter Squadron equipped with Mi-8T transport helicopters.

Additional reinforcement to the Republic of Srpska Air Force was ensured with the introduction of the 92 levn (Light Multi role Aircraft Squadron) that was in fact a mixed collection of light airplanes that were taken from sport aeroclubs around Bosnia. It has been confirmed that the 92 Light Multi role Aircraft Squadron was equipped with An-2, UTVA-66, UTVA-75, Zlin 526F, PZL-104 Wilga 80, Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub and Cessna 172 aircraft that were divided into three flights, based at Zaluzani, Prijedor and Bratunac airfields.

On 26 July 1992, just two months after the initial structure of the Bosnian Serb Air Force was established, the flying units were once again reorganized. The 11 Helicopter Regiment was disbanded, and a new unit designated 92 mabr (Mixed Aviation Brigade) was formed to control both fixed-wing and helicopter squadrons. Later, during the same year, the 711 Anti-armour Helicopter Squadron and the 780 Transport Helicopter Squadron were merged to create the new unit designated 89 MHS (Mixed Helicopter Squadron).

During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian Serb Air Force had conducted 17.316 sorties of all kinds, a large proportion of these being combat flights under the nose of NATO's Operation Deny Flight. However, it is important to note that 18 percent of all the sorties conducted between 27 May 1992 and December 1995 were medical evacuation flights, a total of 3.179 sorties. Over the war years, the Republic of Srpska Air Force has lost 18 aircraft: five Oraos, six Jastrebs, five Gazelles and two Mi-8s as a result of enemy fire or accidents.

Unit during the Bosnian war

Udbina: 105. VB ("Vazduhoplovna Brigada" - Aviation Brigade). :249. lbae ("lovačko bombarderska eskadrila" "Kobre" - Fighter Bomber Squadron "Cobra"). :251. lbae ("lovačko bombarderska eskadrila" "Pume" - Fighter Bomber Squadron "Puma"). :728. mhe ("mešovita helikopterska eskadrila" - Mixed Helicopter Squadron).

Banja Luka: 92.mabr ("mješovita avijacijska brigada" Mixed Aviation Brigade [Formed when in 1992 the :237.lbae and 238.lbae disbanded from Cerklje Air Base, (Slovenia) were merged together.] ) :238.lbae ("lovačko bombarderska eskadrila" "Risovi Vrbasa" - Fighter Bomber Squadron "Vrbas Lynxes"). :252. lbae ("lovacko bombarderska eskadrila" "Kurjaci sa Ušća" - Fighter Bomber Squadron "The Wolves from the Mouth of the River"). :92. levn ("laka eskadrila višestruke namjene" - Light Multirole Aircraft Squadron). :89.mhe ("mešovita helikopterska eskadrila" - Mixed Helicopter Squadron).

After the war

In March 1996 the entire Republic of Srpska Army was reorganized and the Bosnian Serb air arm was renamed Aviation and air defense Forces of the Army of the Republic of Srpska (Vazduhoplovstvo i Protivvazdusna Odbrana Vojske Republike Srpske or V i PVO VRS). Additionally, all the units of the Bosnian Serb Air Force were once again reorganized and renumbered: the 74 Air Base was renumbered to 874 Air Base, the 92 Mixed Aviation Brigade became 892 Mixed Aviation Brigade and the 89 Mixed Helicopter Squadron became simply known as 2 Mixed Helicopter Squadron. The 27 and 28 Fighter-bomber Aviation Squadrons were also merged to create the new unit that became known as 1 Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron. The 92 Light Multi role Aircraft Squadron was disbanded and its aircraft were turned back to their owners: the sport air clubs at Banja Luka, Bratunac and Prijedor. However, the V i PVO VRS retained two UTVA-75 aircraft in order to secure regular training flights to its Air Force pilots.

According to the Florence Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control (Article IV), signed in June 1996, the Republic of Srpska was allowed to possess 21 combat aircraft and seven attack helicopters. In order to comply with the Florence Agreement, the Republic of Srpska Air Force disarmed and withdraw from service four J-21 Jastreb ground attack aircraft and also disarmed six Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopters.

Rank of the "RViPVO RS"

* "Vojnik" (Private)
* "Razvodnik" (Private First Class)
* "Desetar" (Lance Corporal)
* "Mlađi vodnik" (Corporal)
* "Vodnik" (Sergeant)
* "Vodnik 1. klase" (Sergeant First Class)
* "Stariji vodnik" (Senior Sergeant)
* "Stariji vodnik 1. klase" (Senior Sergeant First Class)
* "Zastavnik" (Sergeant Major)
* "Zastavnik 1. klase" (Sergeant Major First Class)
* "Potporučnik" (Second Lieutenant)
* "Poručnik" (First Lieutenant)
* "Kapetan" (Captain)
* "Kapetan 1. klase" (Captain First Class)
* "Major" (Major)
* "Potpukovnik" (Lieutenant Colonel)
* "Pukovnik" (Colonel)
* "General-major" (Major General)
* "General-potpukovnik" (Lieutenant General)
* "General-pukovnik" (Colonel General)

Notes

ee also

*Army of Republika Srpska
*Banja Luka incident (February 1994)
*Mrkonjić Grad incident (June 1995)
*Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo
*Željava Air Base (LQBI) near Bihać was the biggest underground sheltered AB of Yugoslavia.
*Mahovljani Air Base - Aerodrom "Aleksandrovac" (LQBK) located 23km (14.3 miles) from the city of Banja Luka.