KUSTURIĆ: SRPSKA GETS ITS FIRST FEMALE PILOT

BELGRADE, AUGUST 2 /SRNA/ – Chief of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior’s Aviation Directorate, Boban Kusturić, told SRNA that the Directorate is now richer by two young pilots, including Gabrijela Petrušić from Banja Luka, the first female pilot in Republika Srpska, and announced that two more pilots are expected in the next two years, which will solve the young personnel issue.

“The Military Academy of Serbia is one of the most respected institutions of its kind in the world, therefore this way we’ve gained extremely qualified personnel. This is very important, as with the formation of the Helicopter Service and then the Aviation Directorate of the Ministry, we have reached a new level,” Kusturić said, following the promotion of four Ministry of Interior cadets to officer rank today in Belgrade.

He emphasized that the Directorate’s pilots have proven over the past month or two just how vital their work is, and that it’s now significantly easier to handle challenges thanks to increased capacity.

“Large wildfires in the summer have become an everyday occurrence, and the number of aerial medical evacuations, which we’ve been conducting for 11 years, continues to grow. We have enough personnel and helicopters. We’re also planning to acquire new aircraft, and with this young team, we can achieve even more,” Kusturić noted.

He expressed gratitude to the authorities of Republika Srpska for recognizing the importance of investing in local personnel and equipment, so we would avoid renting helicopters or planes from other countries for firefighting at enormous cost.

The Directorate is now enriched with two new pilots, and I hope that in the coming period we will continue to successfully carry out all our tasks," emphasized Kusturić.

The Military Academy Belgrade was completed by four members of the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry, Danilo Kecman, Ivan Ikonić, Gabrijela Petrušić, and Đorđe Pejčinović, as well as two members of the Armed Forces of BiH, Luka Ivezić and Branko Pavković.