OSTOJIĆ: AIR FORCE MEMBERS DREW SRPSKA'S BORDER LINES WITH THEIR LIVES

BANJA LUKA, MAY 27 /SRNA/ – Minister of Labour, War Veterans and Disabled Persons Protection of Republika Srpska Radan Ostojić has stated today that members of the Air Force and Air Defence of the Army of Republika Srpska drew the borders of Republika Srpska with their lives and body parts.

Ostojić emphasized that the wartime path of this unit’s members was extremely difficult and that many are unfortunately no longer alive, but that their heavenly realm will last as long as the Serb people exists. He noted that they faced an enemy that was a thousand times stronger and that during that period, taking off and engaging in operations often meant certain death. "But, like members of all other units, they fulfilled their duties as those who carry the genes of Kosovo heroes," Ostojić told the press during the marking of the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Air Force and Air Defence of the Republika Srpska Army at Mahovljani airport near Banja Luka. Ostojić stressed that the airmen also carried out a large number of humanitarian missions, including evacuation and transport of many wounded soldiers. "And I, as a wounded soldier, on behalf of all the wounded, thank them because they made a huge contribution to the survival of many injured people," Ostojić says. He added that Republika Srpska is the guarantuor of the Serb people’s survival. “If we maintain the same perception and narrative as during the war - that the value of freedom and Republika Srpska is irreplaceable, we will preserve those greatest values and restore spirit to all those who died throughout history,” Ostojić concluded. Colonel Duško Četković said that this day is, unfortunately, a reminder for him of tragic events for the Serb people that began in 1992. Četkovič said that one of operations that stayed in his memory involving an order to rescue downed pilots in the Šipovo area, during strikes on military industry facilities in Travnik and Konjic. "Our pilots were shot down by NATO aviation. My task was to assess the situation and try to rescue them. They were about thirty meters short of escaping the aircraft and surviving. It is difficult for me to talk about it without tears," Četković said. Priests of the Banja Luka Diocese served a memorial service for 89 fallen members of the unit, after which wreaths were laid. The commemoration was attended, in addition to Ostojić and the envoy of the Serb BiH Presidency member Maja Gačić, by families of the fallen, representatives of war veterans organisations, and the City of Laktaši. The organiser of the event was the Third Infantry /Republika Srpska/ Regiment.