YUGOSLAV PARATROOPERS

To visit Gacik Saša website for the 63 Padobranska BrigadaClick Here. Military parachuting in Yugoslavia began with the establishment of a training school in 1939.

The 63d Paratroop Brigade is based at Nis and specializes in various parachuting techniques. Their techniques include night jump techniques to achieve a factor of surprise with jumps at night. The 63d Brigade tripled in size during the war in Bosnia, and participated in number actions, even though the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia did not officially participate in the war.

Several of its units were stationed in Bosnia during 1993 and 1994 without being properly deployed in actions or in clashes with para-military troops. Although it is called a brigade and should therefore have strength of from 2,000 to 4,000 paratroops, the number of its members in peacetime is a rather smaller number of volunteer paratroops. Transport is done by the Antonov-26 aircraft, which can take 40 paratroops each (six aircraft go together) and by the Antonov-12 of an older generation (requiring 12 aircraft) that take 100 parachutists each

Rob Krott (right) with a Jugoslav paratroop captain on a drop zone in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

During the hostilities Rob Krott, a former U.S. Army Captain, served as a commando officer in the Croatian Army in 1992 and received the Zahvainica award. Later in Bosnia, as an infantry officer with the Defense Force of Croat-Bosna, Major Krott served as a brigade S3. Here he is visiting his former enemies with whom he has developed a professional relationship.
Major Mirko Djordjevic of the 63rd Parachute Brigade explains the use of the PD-08-3U parachute with reserve which is standard equipment for the brigade. This parachute system incorporates a static line, drogue chute, AOD, and a ripcord on the main. The canopy has directional panel cutouts and steering toggles.

A skilled sport parachutist, Major Djordjevic was the leader of the Jugoslav Army Parachute Team.
Paras around the world share the experience of waiting on the drop zone. Green berets belong to visiting Greek commandos.

Rob Krott is the Director of Military Parachuting Tours. Portions of this page are extracted from an article written by him.

Song is a MIDI file playing is "633 Squadron"

---

Thanks for visiting!

You are visitor number 2824 since 22 July 2007