On 19^th September, the French Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration unit Patrouille de France performed an attractive display in the skies above the coastal city of Zadar, thus giving a sneak peek of the inaugural Croatian International Military Airshow (CROIMAS 2020), set to take place on 30^th May 2020. The French pilots arrived with ten Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet aircraft for a friendly visit to the Croatian Air Force Display Team Wings of Storm at Lt. Col. Mirko Vukušić Barracks in the nearby village of Zemunik Donji. The two teams performed a joint flight over the Zadar Canal with 14 aircraft.

The formation was led by the Team Leader of Wings of Storm Capt. Darko Belančić, while the Commander of the 93^rd Air Base Col. Mario Pleša bid the French welcome from one of the Croats’ Pilatus PC-9M aircraft. In Zadar, the joint flight of Croatian and French aerobatic teams was observed by the Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Croatia Gaël Veyssière, in company of Lt. Col. Boris Panić, Chief of Staff at the 93^rd Air Base.

Although this was the renowned French aerobatic demonstration team’s first visit to Croatia, it was not their first joint appearance with Wings of Storm. The first air show where they performed together was the 2007 edition of the Kecskemét International Air Show, held at Kecskemét Air Base, Hungary. Since then, the two teams have not gone a single season without running into each other at some international military air show, forging a professional and amicable relationship and co-operation along the way.

During the first proficiency flight, the members of Patrouille de France sat behind the members of Wings of Storm in Pilatus PC-9M aircraft. During the second flight on Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet aircraft, the seating arrangement was reversed.

Capt. Belančić said that hosting yet another esteemed aerobatic display team, following Italy’s Frecce Tricolori and the UK’s Red Arrows, was a confirmation of the friendship forged between Wings of Storm and the world’s most renowned air display teams.

“The joint flight over the Zadar Canal was very impressive and can be considered a sneak peek of the inaugural Croatian International Military Airshow (CROIMAS 2020), set to take place on 30^th May 2020. Of course, we could not avoid discussing the air show with the members of Patrouille de France, who welcome the initiative. The joint proficiency flights gave both teams a unique opportunity to become acquainted with the elements in each other’s programmes,” stated Capt. Belančić.

The Leader of Patrouille de France Maj. Clément Racine thanked his Croatian colleagues for the fantastic welcome, adding that his team would be glad to participate in CROIMAS 2020. “Our command will make a decision about our participation, but our stay with Wings of Storm in Zadar has made a big impression on us. The joint flight was a unique experience, especially the inverted flight. The whole thing was amazing,” said Maj. Racine.

Croatian Air Force Display Team Wings of Storm and CROIMAS 2020 enjoy strong support from Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence Damir Krstičević. Together with the Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brig. Gen. Mato Mikić, the minister joined Wings of Storm on a proficiency flight above Zadar ahead of the team’s 200^th display.

Having become acquainted with on-flight procedures and the route, Minister Krstičević was geared up, boarded a Pilatus PC-9M for the first time in his life and joined Wings of Storm on a proficiency flight.

Wings of Storm flew the route Zemunik Donji – Biograd na moru – Kornati – Telašćica – Zadra, performed the traditional salute to Zadar and returned to Zemunik Donji. At the end of the flight, they performed their most attractive element – the triple mirror a.k.a. the dia – and capped the display off with an element called the vixen break.

During the flight, Minister Krstičević expressed his support for the inaugural Croatian International Military Airshow (CROIMAS 2020), inviting spectators to attend.

“I want the Croatian people to know that the Croatian Government is organizing the inaugural Croatian International Military Air Show in Zadar on next year’s Statehood Day at the initiative of Croatian Air Force’s pilots,” said Minister Krstičević.

After the flight, Minister Krstičević emphasized: “Flying with Wings of Storm is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are victorious representatives of the Croatian Air Force. Croatian has truly fantastic pilots who have earned their place at the top of world aerobatics. We are proud of Wings of Storm for hosting the world’s most renowned display teams in Zadar next year.”

Brig. Gen. Mato Mikić thanked Minister Krstičević for showing confidence in Croatian pilots and flying with them above Zadar, emphasizing that the preparations for the air show, the most significant promotional event for the Croatian Air Force and the Republic of Croatia, were on-going.

Maj. Zvonimir Mravunac, members of Wings of Storms with whom Minister Krstičević flew, thanked the minister for putting trust in him, stressing: “It has been an honour to fly with you.”

Capt. Darko Belančić extended his appreciation to Minister Krstičević for his support of CROIMAS 2020, which he labelled their crowning achievement. “It will be an honour to host the world’s top-level display teams and demonstration pilots in Zadar, the  home of Wings of Storm, on the 15^th anniversary of our formation as well as the 30^th anniversary of the inception of a free, independent Republic of Croatia,” underlined Capt. Belančić.

Text by INDEPENDENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND PUBLISHING SERVICE

Photo by JOSIP KOPI

Translation by IVA GUGO