Serbian allies visit Ohio National Guard

By 1st Lt. Nicole Ashcroft
Ohio National Guard

Photo by: SrA Joseph D. Harwood – 179 AW Photographer Brigadier General Jovica Draganic, Chief of Staff for Air Force and Air Defense Command, wearing a pilot helmet at 179th Airlift Wing located in Mansfield, Ohio on Tuesday, February 24, 2009.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (4/5/09) - As part of the State Partnership Program, members of the Serbian Air Force and Army visited Ohio National Guard locations throughout the state in February. 

Their first stop was the 179th Airlift Wing before breaking into two groups to visit their Air and Army counterparts for the remainder of the week.

The guests were: Brig. Gen. Jovica Draganic, chief of staff for Air Force and Air Defense Command; Brig. Gen. Djokica Petrovic, 1st Army brigade commander; Lt. Col. Milan Majkic, deputy commander of Batanjica Air Force Base; and Maj. Stanko Peric, of the 1st Army Brigade’s logistics support section.

The overall purpose of their visit was to observe the workings of the Ohio National Guard headquarters, including the operations center; as well as developing an understanding of unit organization, pilot and NCO training and support programs for guardsmen and their families. 

Draganic and Majkic tested night vision gear at the 179th Airlift Wing and then rode in an F-16 with the 178th Fighter Wing. 

“It was great to share a day with our Serbian allies and show them just a little bit about why we are all so proud to be part of the Ohio National Guard,” said Col. Mark L. Stephens, the 179th’s commander.

“I would like to thank you for this extraordinary visit,” said Draganic. “It gave us the opportunity to know more about the way of life and glorious history of the Ohio Air National Guard.”

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