Two U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets will conduct training over the cities of Brčko and Tuzla in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday afternoon, announced the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The American fighter jets will fly over Bosnia and Herzegovina on the eve of the celebration of an unconstitutional holiday on January 9 in the Republika Srpska entity.
The statement says that the bilateral training “demonstrates the commitment of the United States to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the face of divisive and anti-Dayton activities”.
“The United States consistently emphasizes that the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not provide for the right to secession and will act if someone attempts to change this fundamental element of Dayton,” the U.S. Embassy said in its statement.
It added that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a key partner of the United States, and they share a common goal in ensuring regional stability.
“This mission will be supported by the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, which will provide aerial refueling for the F-16 aircraft over the territory of the Republika Srpska entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” it said.
This training is part of the activities of the United States Armed Forces for exchanging tactics, methods, and operational procedures with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The statement also emphasizes that the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa regularly engage militarily with regional partners to provide training, enhance interoperability, and demonstrate a joint commitment to common security goals.
“The American plane will return to base immediately after completing the mission. The ability to deploy quickly, locate the target, and return to base demonstrates the ability of the United States to project power anywhere in the shortest possible time and act together with allies and partners,” the statement said.
The F-16 is a lightweight fighter aircraft that entered service for the first time in 1979. The U.S. Air Force widely used it in both Iraq wars and during the war in Afghanistan.
More than 4,600 F-16 aircraft were built in 1976 when production was officially approved.
What preceded the flight of the aircraft?
The political leadership of the Republika Srpska, led by its president, Milorad Dodik, vociferously demands the secession or separation of this entity from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This is opposed by the Embassy of the United States of America, as well as representatives of the European Union and other countries in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Milorad Dodik is mistaken if he thinks that the United States will stand idly by until he pushes Bosnia and Herzegovina toward conflict,” said the U.S. Embassy on December 28, 2023.
It stated that the Republika Srpska is an entity within the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the constitution of the state does not provide for the right of an entity to secede.
“The United States has made it clear on several occasions that it will act to counter actions against the Dayton Agreement, and secession is an action against Dayton,” said the U.S. embassy.
