Defence Minister Mario Banozic on Tuesday congratulated pilots on Croatian Air Force Day, saying that they are among the best pilots in the world and that they in particular excel in supporting civilian institutions through emergency medical transport and in fighting wildfires.

“Croatian pilots are among the best in the world,” said Banozic on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Air Force.

“It is through support to civilian institutions, through emergency medical transport and participation in fighting wildfires that all the knowledge and skills of a pilot come to the fore,” he said, decorating and awarding Air Force pilots.

Congratulating the awarded pilots, Banozic remembered the pilots who had sacrificed themselves during the 1991-1995 war so that Croatia could today could be a free and prosperous country.

“At that time we believed that one day we would have an air force, a force without which ground forces and the Navy cannot operate. These three branches are very important for defence and their further development will be equalised,” he said.

He added that the procurement of Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets has been successfully completed, and announced the further modernisation of the Air Force with Kiowa Warrior helicopters as well as the introduction of Black Hawk helicopters for defence purposes.

One of the decorated pilots, Lieutenant General Sinisa Jurkovic, recalled all defenders who sacrificed their lives in creating a free and independent Croatia.  “Even though we are a member of NATO, security and freedom are primarily our responsibility,” he said.