Minister Helez visited members of the BiH Armed Forces in Montenegro: 'I am proud of the readiness and motivation of our pilots'

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of the Joint
Staff of the BiH Armed Forces for Resources, Major General Mirsad Ahmić, and the Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Brigade, Brigadier Radenko Prerad, visited Montenegro on August 18, 2025, where he visited members of the Armed Forces of BiH engaged in firefighting on the territory of Montenegro.

During the visit, Minister Helez met with the Minister of Defence of Montenegro, Dragan Krapović. The meeting was held at Golubovci Airport in Podgorica, and they discussed the improvement of cooperation in the field of defence, as well as joint efforts in responding to natural disasters.

During the tour of the helicopter crew of the Armed Forces of BiH, it was noted that the members are extremely ready and motivated, and that they have been successfully participating in firefighting operations in the areas of Stijena Piperska, Gornja Mrka, Bioča, Seoca, Kopilje, and Daibarska Gora for five days. The helicopter crew performed an extremely difficult and risky job, but with a great desire to protect the endangered population and their property.

After the tour, Minister Helez stated: "I am proud of the readiness and motivation of our pilots."

During the firefighting operation, BiH Armed Forces helicopters used 19 hours of resources, dropping a total of 157 tons of water, with the participation of teams from five countries.

The Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, thanked for the hospitable reception and emphasized that this was an opportunity for new acquaintances, strengthening friendly ties and cooperation, and congratulated all participants.

The Minister of Defence of Montenegro expressed gratitude to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the assistance in these difficult times, emphasizing that it is natural for the closest to always be the first to come to the rescue. He added that these are precisely friends and allies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Montenegro will know how to recognize and appreciate in the future.

The helicopter crew consists of crew captains Major Mevludin Agić and Major Jasmin Mašić, pilot Zejd Arnaut, flight technicians Senior Sergeants Benjamin Džanko and Nemanja Subotić, and Search and Rescue Service (STS) communications specialist Corporal Mihajlo Koroman.