New Air Force commander, Peleshi: This force will soon operate on a NATO tactical base

Published: Wednesday, 12 January 2022 11:21

Brigadier General Ylli Pulaj officially took over the post of Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces. He was handed the combat flag of the Air Force by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Bajram Begaj in a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Niko Peleshi and commanders of the forces.

Minister Peleshi considered this meeting as very deserved for Brigadier General Pulaj, who on the proposal of the Defence Minister was decreed by the President of the Republic of Albania as Brigadier General and then as Commander of the Air Force. But, according to Minister Peleshi, this force faces many challenges ahead in relation to NATO membership, cooperation with the US as a strategic partner, and also the contribution it gives throughout the year to the community of Civil Emergencies.



"I am convinced that Brigadier General Pulaj with this promotion will work even harder and better, l be even more aware of the problems and successfully face some challenges ahead. We must remember that after a few days we officially start the work at the Kuçova Air Base. Our Air Force will already be operating on an important NATO tactical base. After almost a year we will also be expecting Black Hawk helicopters, which will be the first but not the last in our air fleet, which is heading towards modernization, obviously facing the difficult challenge of increasing readiness. ", - said, during his speech Minister Peleshi, expressing the ambition that by the end of the year the Air Force will be in the highest readiness they have had in recent years.



"We will enrich it, we will modernize it, we will increase the internal capacity for maintenance and readiness, but of course, we will also consolidate a new relationship already concretized with NATO, with the NATO Procurement Agency, thanks to which we have a very fast response in the maintenance, in the repair, in the service of our air fleet." - said Minister Peleshi.

Expressing gratitude, Brigadier General Ylli Pulaj said: "The work priorities of the Air Force will focus on increasing the efficiency of operational use of aircraft; increasing national air surveillance capacity and improving the exchange of aerial map view with the relevant NATO structures; increase of professional assistance to NATO fighter jets, during the realization of their air patrol mission, in the airspace of the Republic of Albania, but also increase of professionalism during the operations, in support of the population civil and state authorities.

Brigadier General Ylli Pulaj, during his career in the Armed Forces, has served in various positions and also abroad. Most recently held the position of Deputy Commander of the Air Force.