Macedonian AF mission to Bosnia extended for six months

On January 3rd, Macedonian Parliament adopted a decision to expand for another six months Macedonian Army participation to European Union's operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will be the fourth rotation in Bosnia and Herzegovina where Macedonian Air Force has a helicopter detachment composed of two Mi-8/17 helicopters deployed since July 14th, 2006. The first rotation included a 17-strong unit (July-December 2006), the second a staff of 21 (January-June 2007), which was the same number of people in the third rotation (July-December 2007). Macedonian Helicopter Detachment was initially based at Mostar-Ortjes air base but relocated during the second rotation to Sarajevo-Butmir air base where it is now based. Unlike the first three rotations that have helicopter detachment composed of two Mi-8/17 helicopters, the ongoing fourth contingent will be composed of only one Mi-8/17 helicopter. Operation ALTHEA is the first EU-led crisis management operation in which Macedonia is participating and is in fact first strong express of Macedonian support to the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) after the EU has granted Macedonia candidate-member status in December 2005.