17.03.2015.

Ensigns Ivan Miladinovic and Nebojsa Drajic buried

Today, at the Central Cemetery in Belgrade, ensign of the technical service Ivan Miladinovic, flight engineer, who was killed in a plane crash near Nikola Tesla Airport during an action of rescuing a baby, was buried today with military honors.

Along with the family, friends and colleagues, last respects were also paid by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic, Air Force and Air Defence Commander Major General Ranko Zivak and advisor to the President of the Republic Milorad Simic.

While paying his last respects to his unit colleague, ensign first class Zeljko Pacaric spoke about the life and work of ensign Miladinovic and stressed that Ivan was a true airman, passionate devotee of the great sky, with over a thousand hours of flight and 500 parachuting jumps.

- The Senior Sergeant in his company, he was the eldest in age and the youngest by heart, with many awards for his deployment in humanitarian missions – ensign said, stressing that Miladinovic remained a role model for his colleagues and that he will forever remain in their thoughts, hearts and actions.

Son of the killed airman received the flag of the Republic of Serbia as a token of a token of remembrance and eternal gratitude of the state for all his father had done for it.

Ivan Miladinovic was born on August 24, 1968 in Krusevac. He was in Armed Forces since July 17, 1987, when he graduated from the Military Highschool of Air Force and Air Defence in Rajlovac. He was on duty of a senior noncommissioned officer at the Company for aviation-technical maintenance of the 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron of the 204th Aviation Brigade.

Numerous colleagues, friends and family members gathered today in a somber walk through Jakalj Village to pay their last respects to ensign Nebojsa Dragic.

With military honors and the song “There, far away”, last respects were paid to ensign Drajic by family members, friends and colleagues from the 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron, and also by Head of the General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence Zoran Djordjevic and Commander of the 204th Aviation Brigade Brigadier General Predrag Bandic.

According to ensign Nebojsa Stanojevic, who paid his respects to the brave airman on behalf of his colleagues, the tragic accident had taken one of the most experienced airmen and helicopter connoisseurs, a born fighter of light spirit.

- He loved each hour spent in his aviation suit, often spending more time at work, during breaks and flights, than with his family – ensign Stanojevic stressed, saying to the family that they should find consolation for their pain in being proud of Nebojsa who had left an inerasable trace with his deeds.

His son Nemanja received the flag of the Republic of Serbia, as a token of remembrance and eternal gratitude for all ensign Nebojsa Drajic had done for it.

Nebojsa Drajic was born on May 22, 1971 in Bajina Basta. He was on duty of a division commander, pilot of the 1st division for helicopter and motor for HT-40/48, platoon for helicopter and motor, Company for aviation-technical maintenance of the 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron of the 204th Aviation Brigade.