21st Aviation Division explained

Unit Name:	21st Mixed Aviation Division 21. mešovita vazduhoplovna divizija
Dates:	1949–1959
Branch:	Yugoslav Air Force
Type:	Division
Size:	3 regiments
Garrison:	Mostar
Garrison Label:	HQ
Disbanded:	1959

The 21st Mixed Aviation Division (Serbo-Croatian: 21. mešovita vazduhoplovna divizija/ 21. мешовита ваздухопловна дивизија) was a Yugoslav Air Force unit established in 1949.

History

The 21st Mixed Aviation Division was formed in 1949 due to the plan of the expansion of Yugoslav Air Force formation.

It was an independent unit under direct command of Air Force HQ. In 1950 the division was attached to 3rd Aviation Corps.

It was disbanded by the order from June 27, 1959, year per the "Drvar" reorganization plan. It was transformed into 9th Air Command.

The commanders of division were August Canjko, Blažo Kovačević, Milenko Lipovščak and Radoje Ljubičić. Commissars were Vukota Radović and Pero Žarković until 1953.^[1]

Assignments

• Command of Yugoslav Air Force (1949-1950)
• 3rd Aviation Corps (1949–1959)

Organization

1949-1959

• 21st Mixed Aviation Assault/Fighter-Bomber Division
  • • Training Squadron of 21st Aviation Division (1953–1954, 1957-1959)
    • 122nd Hydroplane Liaison Squadron (1951–1959)
      • 83rd Fighter (Fighter-Bomber) Aviation Regiment 97th Bomber Aviation Regiment
  • 172nd Fighter (Fighter-Bomber) Aviation Regiment (1949–1958)
  • 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1949-1950)
  • 84th Air Base (1953–1959)

Headquarters

• Mostar (1949-1959)

Commanding officers

• Colonel August Canjko
• Colonel Blažo Kovačević
• Colonel Milenko Lipovščak
• Colonel Radoje Ljubičić

Political commissars

• Colonel Vukota Radović
• Colonel Pero Žarković ^[2]

Notes and References

1. Dimitrijević, Bojan. Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo 1942-1992. Beograd, 2006, p. 355.
2. http://www.vojska.net/eng/armed-forces/yugoslavia/airforce/division/mixed/21/ 21st Mixed Aviation Division