The 29th anniversary of the Flash Military Police Operation was celebrated at Okučani

At Okučani today, 1 May 2024, with a patriotic song performed by the CAF Orchestra through the streets of Okučani, the laying of wreaths and roses on the Cubes of Serenity memorial and a reminder of all those who died, the central ceremony marking the 29th anniversary of the Flash military police operation was held.

By an overflight over Okučani and the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia, CAiF pilots performed their first task with Rafale multirole combat aircraft as a sign of gratitude and respect for all participants. By flying over Okučani and the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia, pilots of the Croatian Air Force performed their first task with Rafale multirole combat aircraft as a sign of gratitude and respect for all the participants of the Flash military police operation, and especially for all Croatian veterans who laid down their lives for Croatian freedom and independence.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, referred to the overflight of Rafale fighter jets, which commemorated the 29th anniversary of the Flash military police operation in a special way. “We are glad that owing to decisions of our Government, Croatian Air Force with 12 Rafale fighter jets will be able to strengthen its defence capabilities and deterrence power that we have never had before, as well as the security of Croatian skies, seas and land for the next 40 years,” he said.

Congratulating today to all those who participated in the Flash military police operation with remembrance of those who lost their lives liberating western Slavonia, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said: “Today is a great day, especially for all of us who at that time were members of the Armed Forces and who participated in this action, and made the overture for an even greater military victory of the Croatian Army at that time, which was the Storm.

Referring to young members of the Croatian Army, who today laid roses at the memorial, the Minister emphasized that this marks the victory of the Croatian story and everything that Croatia should be.

“The goal is that young people, who were not even born then, today listen with interest to what happened, and value and respect Croatian history,” said Minister Anušić.

On the first official flight of Rafale fighter aircraft, he said that he was extremely proud because the Croatian Armed Forces bought the 4th and 5th generation fighter jets for the first time after 35 years, which can compete with all other fighter jets in the world.

“Stronger and more powerful Armed Forces are our priority, and with this we are not only strengthening the Croatian Air Force, but everything that is part of the Armed Forces,” said the Minister.

The Minister of Croatian Veterans, Tomo Medved, said that this meeting was extremely important and thanked all the veterans who participated in the Flash MPO with the memory of those who, during the liberation of Western Slavonia, gave their lives on the altar of their Homeland. “You veterans are still today an inspiration to us and our Government, and with your courage, determination and self-sacrifice you are a guide to our people and our society. That is why even today our Homeland remembers those glorious days of pride and glory when we defended and protected our Homeland” Minister Medved pointed out.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić in the delegation of the Government of the Republic of Croatia led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, which also included the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Government and the Ministers of Croatian Veterans and Internal Affairs, Tomo Medved and Davor Božinović laid wreaths and paid tribute to the fallen veterans in the Flash military police operation.

Veterans Minister Tomo Medved opened sport games for Croatian veterans organized by the Association of Homeland War Veterans of Brodsko-Posavina County.

Cadets of the Croatian Army and participants of the Police Academy of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia laid roses on the memorial.

At the central ceremony, the military ordinary in the Republic of Croatia, Monsignor Jure Bogdan, led the prayer for all the dead, deceased and missing Croatian veterans in the Homeland War.

Memorial mass for all fallen Croatian veterans and civilian victims in the church of St. Vid was led by Monsignor Antun Škvorčević.

As part of the all-day program at Okučani, a tactical-technical assembly of weapons and combat and non-combat techniques and equipment was held, as well as a presentation of the military and police calling.
The celebration of the 29th anniversary of the Flash military police operation was attended by the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and his delegation, the President of the Republic of Croatia and the Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović with a delegation of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid, the families of the killed, missing and deceased Croatian veterans and the war commanders of the units who participated in Flash military police operation and representatives of the associations from the Homeland War and delegation of the counties, cities and municipalities.

Let us remind you that Operation Flash began on 1 May 1995 at 5:21 a.m., on a front line about 80 kilometres long. Strong strikes by Croatian military and police forces cut through the occupied area of western Slavonia, the resistance of enemy forces was broken and Jasenovac, Okučani and Stara Gradiška were liberated. In less than 32 hours, on 1 and 2 May 1995, Croatian forces liberated about 500 square kilometres of the previously occupied Western Slavonic territory and established control over the Zagreb-Lipovac highway and the railway line to Eastern Slavonia. About 7,200 Croatian soldiers and policemen participated in the military-police operation Flash. 51 Croatian veterans were killed or died as a result of injuries, and 162 veterans were wounded.