Croatian Wings of Storm to Perform at NATO & Czech Air Force Days After Six-Year Hiatus
The Croatian Air Force’s renowned aerobatic team, Krila Oluje (Wings of Storm), is set to make a triumphant return to the NATO & Czech Air Force Days in Ostrava on September 21-22, 2024. This will mark the team’s first display at the event in six years, generating significant excitement among aviation enthusiasts and the general public.
Krila Oluje, which means Wings of Storm in Croatian, proudly represents Croatia as its national aerobatic team. Comprised of six exceptionally talented instructor pilots stationed at the 93rd Military Airbase in Zemunik, the team showcases their expertise flying six Pilatus PC-9M turboprop training aircraft. Their aerial displays are further accentuated by the white smoke generators installed on each plane, ensuring their performances are not only precise but visually captivating. Their upcoming participation in Ostrava marks their second visit to the airshow, heightening the excitement for the spectators eagerly awaiting their breathtaking show.
Krila Oluje mirror formation
During their debut display at NATO Days in 2018
As the first announced aerobatic team for this year’s NATO Days, Krila Oluje sets a high standard for the event. Last year, a PC-9M turboprop in Slovenian colours flew over the Mosnov airport, but this year, the six-member Croatian group will return to display these aircraft in meticulously coordinated aerobatic figures.
The team’s history is both rich and storied. Their inaugural display took place on July 22, 2004, during the opening ceremony of the European Sailing Championships in Zadar. A year later, on August 5, 2005, they participated in the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Operation Oluja, a significant military and police operation. Their impressive performance earned them the name Krila Oluje. By the end of 2005, the team expanded to five aircraft, and in 2009, they added a sixth, allowing them to perform their first six-ship formation display on March 25, 2009.
Krila Oluje’s 23-minute display routine is renowned for its complexity and precision. The team executes a series of challenging manoeuvres, including formation tailslides and formation spins, with aircraft flying less than 2 meters apart at speeds of up to 550 km/h. The pilots endure G-loads ranging from -2.5 g to +6.5 g, showcasing their exceptional skill and endurance.
However, the team faced a significant challenge on March 4, 2015, when all six pilots requested to end their military service, effectively disbanding the Wings of Storm just months before their tenth anniversary. Reports indicated that the pilots had received a superior offer from Qatar to fly the more advanced PC-21 aircraft. Despite this setback, the team was reformed with new pilots later in 2015 and has continued to perform at airshows worldwide.
Since their reformation, the new Krila Oluje team made a remarkable debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in 2016, the world’s largest military airshow, where they won the prestigious “King Hussein Memorial Sword” for the best overall flying demonstration. In 2017, they received an award for the most precise flying demonstration at the Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF).
The return of Krila Oluje to the NATO & Czech Air Force Days in Ostrava is eagerly anticipated. Their participation promises to add an exhilarating dimension to the event, highlighting the skill and dedication of the Croatian Air Force pilots. As the first announced aerobatic team for this year’s event, Krila Oluje sets a high standard for what is sure to be an unforgettable airshow.
