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US, Serbian military forces conduct first flight formation in history: Rotary Wing Search, Rescue Operations

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Edgar Grimaldo
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
August 25, 2023
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, and Serbian air force 119th Mixed Helicopter Squadron stand in front of a H145M helicopter, at Sgt./Pilot Mihajlo Petrovic Air Base, Serbia, Aug. 8. Collaborating closely with the Serbian air force, international forces can exchange knowledge, share best practices, and align their operational procedures. This interoperability will enable seamless coordination during joint operations, ensuring an effective and efficient response to potential threats. U.S. Air Force courtesy photo

For the first time in over 20 years, the U.S. Air Force and Serbian air force partnered together to conduct the first helicopter flight formation in history and participate in rotary wing search and rescue operations, Aug. 7-11, at Batajnica Air Base and Sgt./Pilot Mihajlo Petrovic Air Base, Serbia.

To mark the beginning of this partnership training, a Serbian air force H145M and U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter flew in formation to Serbia with U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher R. Hill, on board, followed by pre-flight procedures, and briefings on search and rescue tactics for the remainder of the week.

“Having Ambassador Hill present during the formation flight shows not only solidarity between the Department of State and Department of Defense, but also our support and commitment to maintaining great relations with the Serbian military,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Erik Silva, 435th Contingency Response Support Squadron aircraft maintenance air advisor.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tyler Peterson, 31st Operations Wing standards and evaluations section chief, looks out at a Serbian air force H145M helicopter during a formation flight while flying over Serbia, Aug. 8. Collaborating closely with the Serbian air force, international forces can exchange knowledge, share best practices, and align their operational procedures.

The hands-on training and instructional time were spent between American Airmen and Serbian airmen where both groups shared knowledge on search and rescue tactics and procedures.

“Throughout the training and discussions held this week, we hope the Serbian military can gain some of our search and rescue knowledge acquired from trial and error,” said Staff Sgt. Noah Davila, 56th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator. “And in the future they can become search and rescue experts as well.”

This interoperability enables seamless coordination during joint operations, ensuring an effective and efficient response to potential threats, Davila said.

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher R. Hill, speaks with U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Support Squadron at Batajnica Air Base, Serbia Aug. 8. Marking the first day of rotary wing operations, Airmen assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron took Ambassador Hill on the first formation flight with the Serbian air force in over two decades.

“Moving forward, we hope to conduct more flight formations and scenario based training,”Silva said. “The Serbians have been very welcoming, professional and eager to learn, and I cannot wait to see where this partnership progresses in the upcoming years.”

The event allowed U.S. Air Force and Serbian Air and Defense Force personnel to practice mixed aircraft formation, requiring communication and skill from both crews. They were also provided the unique opportunity to review videos of real world search and rescue operations to understand their capabilities used to assist and lead rescue attempts.

“As joint operations progress, it is crucial to maintain open lines of communication, nurture trust, and continue investing in collaborative initiatives ensuring a safer and more prosperous future for the Balkans,” said John A. Castillo, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa deputy branch chief, eastern Europe/ USAFE desk officer for Serbia. “The U.S. seeks to be the partner of choice for capability and interoperability across Europe, for NATO and non-NATO members.”

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Squadron and 31st Fighter Wing receive a slideshow presentation from a Serbian air force airman assigned to the 119th Mixed Helicopter Squadron at Sgt./Pilot Mihajlo Petrovic Air Base, Serbia, Aug. 9. The event allowed U.S. Air Force and Serbian Air and Defense Force personnel to practice mixed aircraft formation, requiring communication and skill from both crews. They were also provided the unique opportunity to review videos of real-world search and rescue operations to understand their capabilities used to assist and lead rescue attempts.

The partnership between the U.S. Air Force and Serbian air force in conducting training such as these, not only strengthens bilateral relations, but also contributes to regional stability.

“In the future, we plan to further our cooperation by conducting more joint flights, and expand to rescue demonstrations outside Serbia, where both the SAFAD and the U.S. Air Force can demonstrate how each country is able to perform search and rescue,” Silva said. “In addition, we hope to incorporate medical evacuation scenarios and operate together to conduct these training scenarios.”

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron prepare to depart Sgt./Pilot Mihajlo Petrovic Air Base, Serbia, to Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 11. The 56th RQS is a combat search and rescue squadron of HH-60G helicopters, capable of executing all-weather missions day or night in hostile environments in support of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.
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