28.09.2020.

Commemoration service for the tragically killed pilots, Major Krsnik and Captain 1st Class Vasiljević

In memory and honour of the tragically killed pilots of the Air Force and Air Defence – Major Dejan Krsnik and Captain 1st Class Zvonko Vasiljević, a commemoration service was held today at the Air Force Club in Zemun.

The commemoration service was attended by the pilots’ families, the Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin and the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilović, with members of their Boards, members of the Air Force and Air Defence, colleagues and friends.

Addressing the gathering, the Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence, Major General Duško Žarković, said that it is difficult to find comforting words that would alleviate the pain of the families of the fallen pilots who, having decided to work in aviation, embraced a path full of challenges, bravely accepting all the things that the military profession brings: honour, integrity, patriotism, but also great sacrifice.

- This tragedy is a huge loss for the Air Force and Air Defence. We have lost excellent, experienced pilots, great experts, professionals and patriots. If anything can be a consolation for us, it is the fact that the bright faces of our tragically killed colleagues, their human and professional qualities, their attitude towards their families and profession, will be a lasting inspiration and role model for all of us, but also for future generations of airmen - said General Žarković.

General Žarković told the Krsnik and Vasiljević families that they can be proud of Dejan and Zvonko and that all their colleagues and friends will keep the memory of them.

Commander of the 204th Air Brigade, Colonel Brane Krnjajić, bade farewell to his colleagues, pilots. He talked about the lives of Major Krsnik and Captain 1st Class Vasiljević, about how they grew into experienced pilots, respected and loved among colleagues and serious people who will be role models for younger generations.

Major Dejan Krsnik was the Commander of the 4th Aviation Section of the 101st Fighter Squadron. He was born in Belgrade on 28 May 1971. He was a professional serviceman since 30th July 1994. He was married and a father of one child.

Captain 1st Class Zvonko Vasiljević was Assistant Commander for Intelligence and Reconnaissance Activities of the 101st Fighter Squadron. He was born in Loznica on 3 October 1977. He was a professional serviceman since 29 September 2001. He was married and a father of two children.

Major Dejan Krsnik and Captain 1st Class Zvonko Vasiljević tragically died on 25 September in a MiG-21 crash in the area of the village of Brasina near Mali Zvornik, while they were performing a regular flight task.

The funeral of Dejan Krsnik will be held tomorrow, 29 September, at the Bežanija Cemetery in Belgrade at 1.45 p.m, while the funeral of Captain 1st Class Zvonko Vasiljević will be held on the same day in the village of Donja Borina at 1 p.m.