Croatian Air Force commemorates Brig. Perešin
The delegation of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, headed by the Commander of the 91st Air Base, Colonel Darko Brajković, accompanied by the family of Staff Brigadier Rudolf Perešin
laid wreaths and lighted candles in the Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb on 30 April 2015, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the pilot’s heroic death in the Operation “Lightning“ in 1995.
Staff Brigadier Perešin lost his life flying a mission in the Operation on 2 May 1995, when his MIG 21 was brought down. He was buried in the Mirogoj Cemetery in September 1997, after his remains were returned to Croatia.
Staff Brigadier Perešin earned lasting honour and gratitude of the Croatian people for executing a daring escape in MIG -21 from the Yugoslav Air Force in October 1991, refusing to fire at his fellow countrymen and joined the Croatian Air Force. He took part in all aerial combat operations, and was decorated with the Order of the Duke Domagoj with Neck Badge, the Order of Vice-roy Jelačić, the Order of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan, the Order of Stjepan Radić and the Daring Feat Model.