Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protivvazduhoplovna Odbrana (Serbian Air Force)
127. lae "Vitezovi" (127th FS "The Knights”)
Yugoslavia, Serbia 1999
flown by col. Milenko Pavlovic
Model: MiG-29 "Fulcrum" Микоян-Гуревич MиГ-29
Serial: s/n 18109 Микоян-Гуревич MиГ-29 изделие 9.12 Б
At the airport Batajnica, on 4th May 1999, Lt. Col. Milenko Pavlovic, commander of the 204th Fighter Regiment took off to intercept NATO strike in the area of Valjevo city. After a short flight, his MiG-29, no. 18109, was hit by a AIM - 120C missile fired from the USAF F-16C fighter. He was killed in the air above his birthplace. Despite the fact that shortly after take-off he experienced multiple malfunctions , he continued his flight. The last words that he spoke over the radio station were "I see them, but they see me too". During the operation "Allied Force", in spite of the unfavorable conditions and the superior forces of the enemy, there has been huge pressure from the political and military leadership of the Yugoslav Army on pilots 127 FS to fly at all costs. Unable to confront decisions from the upper command, and feeling bitter after the death of his younger colleagues, Lt.Col. Pavlovic decided to take off on the task instead of the younger pilot, though he was not obliged to fly as a commander. He sat in the cockpit of MiG-29 and with the words "Damn you kids, if someone has to die that will be me", he took off toward the enemy. Lt Col. Milenko Pavlovic consciously sacrificed his life in order to prevent any further deterioration of his regiment. He was posthumously awarded the Medal for Bravery and promoted to the rank of colonel.
