Pilots of Eagle Attack Aircraft Undergoing Combat Training
Wednesday, 26.3.2025 | Training
At Morava Airfield in Lađevci and the surrounding area, combat training of younger pilots of the “Eagle” attack aircraft and training of technical personnel from the 98th Air Force Brigade is being carried out.
With the aim of maintaining and improving skills in providing aerial support to land and special forces in combat operations, pilots of the 241st Fighter-Bomber Squadron are practicing tactical maneuvers and execution of firing, launching missiles and bombing ground targets.
Side by side with them on the runway are the technicians of all specialties, who check if the aircraft is working properly and are in charge of flight preparation. Before take-off and after landing, they regularly check the essential parts of the aircraft engine, electrical assemblies and instruments on the “Eagles”.
A representative of the Deputy Commander of the 241st Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Major Goran Cukavac, points out that combat training in that unit is essential because it is the core of all the tasks that its members perform. According to him, they are currently conducting combat training of younger pilots, which consists of two phases — initial and advanced.
— In the initial phase, pilots are familiarized with the attack navigation systems on the aircraft, the sighting system and how to use all systems. Advanced combat training is much more complex. It involves group flying at low altitudes and a sweeping flight. The pilot’s profession is the most interesting for citizens, however, we cannot function without technicians, they ensure proper functioning of the aircraft, navigation systems, weapons systems, and our conducting the flight in general — said Major Cukavac, adding that there is an unbreakable tie between pilots and technicians.
A pilot in the 241st Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Lieutenant Stefan Grbić, says that even as a boy, watching shows about pilots, he dreamed of pursuing this career. He says that the path to becoming a pilot is not easy; it takes a lot of dedication, perseverance and motivation, but every time he flies, he is aware that all that effort was worth it, because he feels love, satisfaction, happiness, a sense of success and pride.
— This is a profession that gave me a lot of pleasure. Young people should find that will in themselves, they should not hesitate, nor should they be afraid of the uncertainty that this job implies. When you look at our homeland from a bird’s eye view, it’s wonderful, it is such a pleasure to experience and see Serbia in that way. You are aware of the responsibility, but also of the privilege of doing this job. We, the pilots, are very close, and older colleagues, teachers, act as mentors to those of us who are younger, they try to transmit their skills and all their knowledge to us. We build a special bond there, we become very close and keep close, not only in the unit but also outside work — explained Lieutenant Grbić, who has been flying for six years now.
Intensive training, which takes place in the squadron throughout the year, improves the unit’s combat readiness and develops mutual confidence and connection between pilots and technicians, who work closely while performing the most demanding tasks.
Young men and women willing to become the Serbian Armed Forces’ pilots, who have completed their BA studies at civilian faculties and are up to 27 years of age this year, can apply to a public advertisement for participants in the Serbian Armed Forces reserve aviation officers course, which is open until March 31. After the six-month training, the most successful ones will be given the opportunity to undertake immediately the professional military service, continue training as aviation officers and then earn the title of airplane pilot, helicopter pilot or pilot-operator of remotely piloted aircraft.
