Helez hosted a reception for members of the BiH Armed Forces engaged during fires and floods: You have honored the BiH Armed Forces

(Patria) - Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defense Zukan Helez,
hosted a formal reception for members of the Armed Forces of BiH who were engaged in the mission of mitigating fires and floods in BiH during this year.

The reception was attended by Deputy Ministers Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganovć, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, Lieutenant General Gojko Knežević, Deputy Chiefs of the Joint Staff of the AF BiH Major General Tomo Kolenda and Major General Mirsad Ahmić, and Commander of the Operational Command of the AF BiH, Major General Mirzet Lubenović, and Commander of the Support Command of the AF BiH, Major General Zdravko Rezo.

The reception was held at the BiH Armed Forces Hall, and Minister Helez presented medals for bravery to distinguished members of the AF BiH. During his address, the minister emphasized that he is proud and happy that the Armed Forces of BiH have once again shown that they are at the service of the citizens of our country.

„I am glad to be with you today at this ceremony where we are awarding medals for bravery to members of the AF BiH who distinguished themselves in extinguishing forest fires in our country, and in saving the lives and property of citizens during the recent catastrophic floods that hit our country. I am proud of you, members of the Armed Forces of BiH, who, with your engagement and assistance to the civilian population during natural disasters, have honored the Armed Forces of BiH.

I regret that sometimes your effort, work, and dedication are not sufficiently recognized and appreciated in the media and the public in our country“, said Helez.

The minister emphasized that the helicopter crews of the AF BiH spent 113 flight hours extinguishing forest fires, which is a record number of flight hours since the establishment of the Armed Forces of our country.

„In extremely difficult conditions, sometimes without a secure water source, with your superhuman efforts, you were the last line of defense against fires that threatened to endanger the homes of BiH citizens. Just a few hours after the disaster that occurred in Donja Jablanica, our members were already at the scene of the accident and saving people. They are still in the flooded areas today, for the 50th consecutive day, and are helping to remove the consequences of the floods in this area. The awarded monetary prizes and commendations you received in the past period, and today's medals for bravery, are a symbolic act of gratitude for the help you provided to the citizens of our country“, concluded Helez.