The ending of six student pilots’ training was marked with a ceremony at Lt. Col. Marko Živković Barracks in Pleso, near Zagreb, on 14^th June 2019. For five years, Jakov Buturić, Luka Hrga, Josip Jelača, David Knežević, Domagoj Mandić and Boris Šipura trained at the Pilot School of the Rudolf Perešin Air Force Training Centre as well as the 93^rd Air Base’s Fixed-Wing Squadron and Helicopter Squadron. At the ceremony, the 23^rd class of the Basic Officer Course – Aviation received their wings and a decree of competence.

The ceremony was attended by the young pilots’ family members, the Commander of the Croatian Air Force Brigadier General Mato Mikić, the Chief of Staff of the Croatian Air Force Colonel Michael Križanec, retired military pilot General of the Air Force Anton Tus, members of the Croatian Air Force, etc.

Brigadier General Mato Mikić saluted new pilots, saying he was pleased that they would join the big Croatian Air Force pilots’ family: “The journey to this moment has been strenuous and demanding. The pride on your faces says you have completed the journey successfully. You have dared to thread the path of the chosen ones, of the people ready for sacrifice so that you may realize your dream of flying, of courage, of touching the skies.”

Brigadier General Mikić emphasized that the Croatian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence were proud because those six new pilots were an achievement of the personnel in the military educational system, who had demonstrated their expertise and capability to educate the most qualified manpower for the most demanding positions.

In his address, retired military pilot General of the Air Force Anton Tus conveyed his delight and pleasure for being invited to the commencement ceremony. He recalled the Croatian Air Force’s tradition, especially in the Homeland War, and the importance of maintaining the Croatian Air Force’s capabilities.

Flight instructor Lieutenant Colonel Domagoj Nekić said a lot of work and continuous development lay ahead of the young pilots, but that was one of the attractions of their calling.

On behalf of the young pilots, student pilot Luka Hrga thanked their class leaders and flight instructors, especially Major Robert Baraba and First Sergeant Stipe Baždarić from the Pilot School of the Rudolf Perešin Air Force Training Centre, who stood by their side and supported them at all times, cheered on their every success and thus contributed to the successful completion of their training and schooling.

The 23^rd class of military pilots completed their schooling and all sections of their flight training at the Pilot School of the Rudolf Perešin Air Force Training Centre and in the squadrons of the 93^rd Air Base. They were trained on ZLIN Z-242L and Pilatus PC-9M aircraft as well as Bell 206B helicopters.

Text by LADA PULJIZEVIĆ

Photo by MLADEN ČOBANOVIĆ

Translation by IVA GUGO