The 98th Air Brigade is a mixed (attack aviation and attack helicopters) brigade of the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence.

History

The 98th Air Brigade was formed on 13 June 2007 as a successor of the 98th Fighter-Bomber Regiment of the Yugoslav and Serbia-Montenegro air forces. It is created from the former 161st Air Base (Niš Air Base), 265th Air Base (Lađevci Air Base) and their ground support units, 98th Fighter-Bomber Regiment, 119th Helicopter Regiment, a part of 677th Transport Squadron and part of 353rd Reconnaissance Squadron. Parts of the 677th Transport Squadron, 712th Anti-armor Helicopter Squadron and 787th Helicopter Squadron are now 119th Mixed Helicopter Squadron, while the 241st Fighter-bomber Squadron and 714th Anti-armor Helicopter Squadron remained active.

Missions

In peace time, brigade performs the following tasks: In war time, brigade performs the following tasks:

Structure

The 98th Air Brigade is a joint tactical air force unit whose basic organization structure consists of modular units of squadron and battalion size. Most of its units are located at Lađevci Air Base, while few (119th Mixed Helicopter Squadron and 161st Air Base Security Battalion) are located at Niš Air Base.

Traditions

Anniversary

The anniversary of the unit is celebrated on November 28. On that day in 1949, the 98th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment was formed which has the longest tradition of all the units that became part of today's brigade.

Patron saint

The unit's slava or its patron saint is Saint Elijah known as Ilindan.