Minister Anušić meets the pilots from last year’s MiG 21 crash
“You have the full support of the Croatian Government, Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces, whose members should know that they can always find support in us,” Minister Anušić said
On Thursday, December 28, 2023 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Anušić and his associates met with the Croatian Air Force pilots who participated in MiG-21 crash in December 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Zvonimir Milatović and Major Ivan Lukan. The meeting was held at the Croatian Ministry of Defence during the Christmas and New Year holiday season.
Minister Anušić told the injured Croatian Air Force pilot that the Ministry of Defence will support his rehabilitation process and continue to provide him with all possible support in the entire recovery process.
“I can say that you have the full support of the Croatian Government, the Ministry of Defence, the Croatian Air Force and the entire Croatian Armed Forces. At every step on the way to achieve all your goals and ambitions, you can always count on all of us,” the Defence Minister said, adding that he expects further engagement of the injured Croatian Air Force pilot within the defence system, especially in the context of the modernisation and equipping of the Croatian Air Force with Rafale combat aircraft.
“The experience you have as an excellent Air Force pilot and the fact how professional, brave and honourable you are, shows how much more you can contribute to the defence system, and especially to the Croatian Air Force,” Anušić said. He added that Lukan’s strength and will are motivating and activating, emphasising that every CAF member Forces should be aware that he or she can always find their greatest support, friend or colleague in the Croatian Armed Forces.
“A professional, responsible, honourable and persistent Croatian soldier is the main strength of the Croatian Armed Forces. Every CAF member must be aware of his or her importance and know that the Croatian soldier is the centre of our defence system. That is why it is the responsibility and task of all of us to give every CAF member a feeling of security – the doors of the Ministry of Defence will always be open to everyone. We are here for you”, concluded Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić.
Major Lukan thanked Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the entire Croatian Government for their support. He also thanked Minister Anušić for meeting them, saying that he plans to continue serving his country.
“I feel immense pride and gratitude for your support and assistance. With a lot of luck and God’s help, I believe that I will be able to return to my duties, and I hope that I will be able to continue doing the work that I love so much. My place is in the cockpit of a combat aircraft and I believe that my recovery goes in the right direction”, Major Lukan said. “On that day we acted as a team. This is how we work now, and we will continue to do so in the future”, Lieutenant Colonel Milatović said.
Deputy Chief of the CAF General Staff Lieutenant General Siniša Jurković said that in December 2022 Lieutanant Colonel Milatović and Major Lukan showed all their professionalism and excellent pilot knowledge and skills, emphasising: “I congratulate you on everything you did that day and for showing everyone what kind of excellent fighter pilots we have in the Croatian Air Force ranks”.
On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić presented Lieutenant Colonel Milatović with a commendation, and Major Lukan with a watch with a dedication, wishing them a lot of success and happiness in the New Year and to achieve all their personal and professional goals.
