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PRANJANI, SERBIA – Green Berets from 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), alongside their Serbian counterparts, conducted an airborne jump in Pranjani, Serbia, as part of a training event and ceremony honoring the 80th anniversary of Operation Halyard, on Sept. 21, 2024.
During World War II, American and Allied aviators were shot down by Axis forces. Some managed to evade capture when sympathetic Serbians hid and protected the airmen from enemy troops hunting for the downed crews. Operation Halyard, the rescuing of these airmen, became one of the largest American rescue missions with over 500 airmen saved.
“Eighty years ago, our downed aviators would not have made it home to their families without the act of selflessness exhibited towards strangers,” said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Lock, Commanding General, Special Operations Command Europe.
The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) drew up plans for Operation Halyard, choosing Pranjani as the main staging area for the rescue. Lieutenant George Musulin led the American rescue team, assisted by Master Sergeant Michael Rajacich, and radio operator Specialist Arthur Jibilian. The team parachuted under the cover of darkness into Serbia. With the help of Serbian forces and the people of Pranjani, the team built hasty runways for evacuation aircraft to carry the rescued airmen to safety.
“The courage embodied by the people of Serbia is a foundational story for the Special Operations Command Europe and central to the shared values our countries enjoy,” said Lock. “Honoring the past bravery between our allies is crucial to ensuring continued solidarity and strengthening diplomatic ties between Serbia and the U.S.”
10th SFG (A) conducted two practice jumps, one daytime and one night, prior to the ceremonial jump. This year’s 80th anniversary ceremony included a flyover in a MC-130 J Commando II piloted by the U.S Air Force’s 352nd Special Operations Wing, based out of RAF Mildenhall, U.K, a wreath-laying, a tour of the Church of the Holy Ascension in Pranjani, and a picnic lunch commemorating the historic operation.
“The success of Operation Halyard is an undoubtedly important foundation to the successful partnership between the United States and Serbia. Remembering the bravery of those that risked their lives should never be forgotten,” said Special Forces Detachment Commander.
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2024 09:37 |
| Story ID: | 482057 |
| Location: | RS |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 10TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE) GREEN BERETS AND SERBIAN COUNTERPARTS CONDUCT AIRBORNE JUMP TO HONOR OPERATION HALYARD ANNIVERSARY, by SPC Kristel Cordero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
