The U.S. and Serbian Air Forces educated on rotary wing search and rescue operations.

The U.S. Air Pressure and the Serbian Air Pressure carried out their first formation flight in historical past throughout rotary wing search and rescue training operations early this month, the primary joint coaching occasion of the 2 companies because the battle over the Balkans within the Nineteen Nineties. The train, referred to as Platinum Wolf, unfolded from August 7 to 11, 2023, at Batajnica Air Base and Sgt./Pilot Mihajlo Petrovic Air Base, Serbia.

The U.S. Air Pressure participated with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters of the 56th Rescue Squadron, primarily based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, whereas Serbia participated with H145M helicopters of the 119th Combined Helicopter Squadron and Mi-17 helicopters of the 890th Combined Helicopter Squadron. To mark the start of this partnership coaching, a Serbian H145M and U.S. HH-60G helicopter flew in formation to Serbia with U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher R. Hill on board.

“Having Ambassador Hill current in the course of the formation flight exhibits not solely solidarity between the Division of State and Division of Protection, but in addition our help and dedication to sustaining nice relations with the Serbian navy,” stated U.S. Air Pressure Tech. Sgt. Erik Silva, 435th Contingency Response Help Squadron plane upkeep air advisor.

The airmen from both countries shared data on search and rescue techniques and procedures, each throughout tutorial briefings and hands-on coaching. This interoperability coaching is geared toward enabling seamless coordination throughout joint operations, guaranteeing an efficient and environment friendly response to potential threats.

“All through the coaching and discussions held this week, we hope the Serbian navy can acquire a few of our search and rescue data acquired from trial and error,” stated Workers Sgt. Noah Davila, 56th Rescue Squadron particular missions aviator. “And sooner or later they will turn out to be search and rescue consultants as nicely.”

This bilateral coaching occasion seems to sign an additional Serbian opening to collaboration with western international locations, after being a detailed Russian ally for years. The truth is, after the acquisition of the H145M few years in the past, reviews additionally emerged about Serbia contemplating the Rafale as replacement for the MiG-29 Fulcrum and the T-7 as alternative for the G-4 Tremendous Galeb and J-22 Orao.

“As joint operations progress, it’s essential to take care of open strains of communication, nurture belief, and proceed investing in collaborative initiatives guaranteeing a safer and extra affluent future for the Balkans,” stated John A. Castillo, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa deputy department chief, jap Europe/ USAFE desk officer for Serbia. “The U.S. seeks to be the accomplice of alternative for functionality and interoperability throughout Europe, for NATO and non-NATO members.”

In accordance with the U.S., that is simply the primary bilateral coaching occasion for the 2 international locations and extra workouts are anticipated in future each inside and out of doors Serbia, additional deepening the navy cooperation of the two former adversaries.

“Sooner or later, we plan to additional our cooperation by conducting extra joint flights, and broaden to rescue demonstrations exterior Serbia, the place each the SAFAD and the U.S. Air Pressure can reveal how every nation is ready to carry out search and rescue,” Silva stated. “As well as, we hope to include medical evacuation situations and function collectively to conduct these coaching situations.”

Stefano D’Urso is a contract journalist and contributor to TheAviationist primarily based in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he is additionally learning to realize a Grasp Diploma in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT strategies utilized to the world of navy operations and present conflicts are amongst his areas of experience.