39th Aviation Division


The 39th Aviation Division was a unit originally established in 1947 as the 5th Aviation Fighter Division.

History

5th Fighter Aviation Division

The 5th Fighter Aviation Division was established in April, 1947, with headquarters at Skoplje, with task of air defense of southern Yugoslavia. The division was direct under the Command of Yugoslav Air Force. It was formed from 111th and 113th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
By the 1948 year this division was renamed like all other units of Yugoslav Army, so it has become 39th Aviation Fighter Division.
The commanders of division in this period were Petar Radević and Ilija Zelenika. Commissar was Krsto Bosanac.

39th Aviation Division

The 39th Aviation Fighter Division was formed by renaming of 5th Aviation Fighter Division in 1948. It suffered small changes in the organization. Division has remain in Skoplje until it was disbanded.
In 1953 division was attached to 7th Aviation Corps. By 1953 it was renamed in to Aviation Fighter-Bomber Division due the replace of Soviet fighter aircraft with US-made fighter-bombers.
It was disbanded by the order from June 27, 1959, year due the "Drvar" reorganization plan. It was transformed into 3rd Air Command.
The commanders of division in this period were Ilija Zelenika, Petar Radević, Nikola Lekić and Ilija Zelenika. Commissars were Krsto Bosanac, Radoje Ljubičić and Aco Babić until 1953.

Assignments

1947-1948