Iljo Arizanov - the pilot who fought his way through enemy territory for three days

Iljo Arizanov was a Major of the Air Force of the Yugoslav Army and one of the bravest Serbian pilots during the NATO aggression of 1999.

The first combat flight - 24 March 1999

When NATO began its aggression against the FR Yugoslavia on 24 March 1999, Major Arizanov was the first pilot to take off on a combat mission from the military airport in Niš. He flew a MiG-29 aircraft.

His aircraft was in poor technical condition - it had been due for a general overhaul back in 1996. It had no device to warn the pilot that he was in the enemy's sights, and the radio link was not working either.

The downing over Kosovo

After only a few minutes of flight over Kosovo, Arizanov attacked an enemy aircraft. At that moment his MiG-29 was hit in the rear section and lost control. The American pilot Lieutenant Colonel Cesar Rodriguez from an F-15C fighter fired a missile that struck Arizanov's aircraft.

Arizanov successfully ejected from the burning aircraft and descended by parachute somewhere in the area of Drenica - territory under the full control of the terrorist KLA.

Three days behind enemy lines

Instead of surrendering, Major Arizanov began an incredible odyssey of survival. For three days he moved through enemy territory, traveling by night and hiding in the forests during the day. Without food or water, he managed to avoid the KLA patrols.

In the end he reached the military airport in Priština, where he was met by astonished comrades who had already written him off.

Decorations and retirement

For his heroic conduct, Iljo Arizanov was decorated with the Order for Bravery of the FR Yugoslavia and promoted to the rank of Colonel. For reasons of health he was retired that same year, 1999. He lived in Belgrade.

Death

Colonel Iljo Arizanov died on 4 September 2011 of a heart attack. He was buried with military honors.