15 years since the death of Lieutenant Colonel Milenko Pavlovic commander of 204th Hunters Regiment of Yugoslav air force.
On 4th of May 1999. a large group of NATO airplanes was spotted over the city of Valjevo, bombing Krusik ammunition factory, and military depots in the Pricevic village. Command to fly was given to one of the younger officers, but the Colonel Pavlovic ordered for the called pilot to be hold, and instead he took off in his MiG-29
. He knew that some idiot orderd them to fly in a sucide mission. So as the commander of the regiment he decided that if someone has to die it will be him, and not his young colleague.
Pavlovic embarked in an unequal battle, and soon was hit by three missiles. He died still in air. His last words were: "They have me!", And the remains of his plane fell near the village of Petnica.
He was buried on 6 of May 1999. at Bežanijska cemetery. He left behind his wife Slavica, and the sons Srdjan and Nemanja.
He has never been proclaimed for a hero. He was posthumously awarded Medal of Bravery and the Gold Flying badge. In 2011 he was also awarded a Medal of St. Nickolaj, by the Bishof of Valjevo, Milutin.
One other May, in 2005. in the Gornje Crniljevo they innaugurated the memorial complex, which includes a memorial fountain at which there is the wing of the downed MiG-29, and the memorial home "Milenko Pavlovic The Pilot", within the complex is also situated the Church of the Restoration of the Temple of of St. George and the court of the Football Club "Milenko Pavlovic The Pilot."
RTS made a documentary film called
"Flight to Death", which tells about the life and work of Milenko Pavlovic, as well as of his last moments. In the documentary, they are talking to his parents, wife, sons, friends and colleagues.