Colonel Stefan Okos

Colonel Ing. Štefan Okoš was appointed Commander of the 51st Wing of Colonel General Ján Ambruš on 1 July 2023, bringing over two decades of distinguished service in the Slovak Air Force. A graduate of the Air Force College of gen. M. R. Štefánik in Košice (2002), he has completed extensive training on the Mi 24 and Mi 17 helicopters, including search and rescue operations, and advanced courses in air traffic management and higher command. His career spans operational, leadership, and humanitarian roles: from early assignments as a technologist and pilot, to senior positions within helicopter combat units, search and rescue groups, and the Headquarters of the Slovak Air Forces. He has commanded squadrons deployed on international humanitarian missions in Slovenia and the Czech Republic, and led multiple helicopter swarms in Prešov. Colonel Okoš has flown the Mi-24, Mi-17, Schweizer H-269, Bell-206, nowadays he is flying UH-60M Blackhawk. He is an active examiner, instructor and display pilot with over 3300 flight hours. Colonel Okoš combines technical expertise, operational experience, and strategic leadership, ensuring the 51st Wing remains a cornerstone of Slovakia's air defence capability.