Marking the anniversary of death of pilot Milenko Pavlovic

Monday, 29.4.2013 | News

The memorial service to pilot Colonel Milenko Pavlovic, who lost his life during NATO bombing, on 4 May in 1999 defending the skies over Serbia, was held in his hometown of Gornje Crniljevo near Osecina where more than 14 years ago his plane was shot down.

The memorial service to pilot Colonel Milenko Pavlovic, who lost his life during NATO bombing, on 4 May in 1999 defending the skies over Serbia, was held in his hometown of Gornje Crniljevo near Osecina where more than 14 years ago his plane was shot down.

The memorial gathering was attended by the representatives of the 204th Aviation Brigade of the Army of Serbia, led by Brigade Commander Brigadier General Predrag Bandic commander of the 250th Missile Brigade, Brigadier General Dusko Zarkovic as well as family members of the killed pilot, representatives of local authorities and the municipality of Stara Pazova, which provided necessary support to the Brigade in the organization of the event, along with the police, friends and admirers of Milenko Pavlovic. The memorial was opened with a parachute jump of the Serbian Armed Forces, and after the memorial service, wreaths were laid at the memorial erected in the pilot’s honour.

- This is the 14th time we have marked the day when our colleague was killed, and a second time in this way, with the desire that the next year organizing this memorial would become a tradition - said General Bandic, addressing the audience in Gornje Crniljevo, noting that the area is full of heroic monuments to those who like Pavlovic honorably died defending their country.

- The pilots who flew today have just conducted a flight test for the position of flight instructor - said General Bandic handing the Pavlovic family a golden flying sign, a symbolic mark of the best pilots of the SAF.

During the memorial service, t pilots flew over  pilot Pavlovic's birthplace in Galeb, a manifestation of the complete entertainment program and campaign "Military doctor and a military vet in the village" Doctors and vets of the 204 Aviation Brigade organized free check-ups and lectures for the residents of the Gornja Crniljeva. During the two-day event a competition in soccer, was also organized as well as the walking tour of the Museum pilot Milenko Pavlovic.

Milenko Pavlovic was born on 5 October in 1959 in the village of Gornje Crniljevo, near Osecina. He finished the first four grades of elementary school he finished in Gornje Crniljevo and then he finished the eight grade school with honors, in Osecina. In autumn1974 he entered the military aviation school in Mostar, and after completion of the fourth year with flying colors on the check flight knowledge, entered the Air Force Academy. During an extraordinary professional career he finished training in the most advanced fighter aircraft MiG 29 as well as the General Staff School, he became commander of the 204th Aviation-hunting people. He died on 4 May in 1999 over Valjevo, while he was opposing a formation of 16 NATO bomber air crafts.

Related News