Nebojša Nikolić - the pilot who survived being shot down on the first day of the bombing

Nebojša Nikolić, known among his colleagues as "Keša", was a Lieutenant Colonel and a pilot of the Air Force of the Yugoslav Army. He was one of the first pilots to take off to defend the Serbian skies on the first day of the NATO aggression.

Combat flight - 24 March 1999

On the first day of the NATO bombing, at 20:37, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolić took off from Batajnica Airport in his MiG-29 (serial number 18111) with the task of intercepting a group of NATO aircraft over Bečej.

Immediately after takeoff he discovered that his navigation system was not working. The radar and the SN-29 missile guidance system were faulty, while the SPO-15 warning system had serious problems. Nevertheless, he continued toward the target.

The downing over Titel

On the way to Bečej, Nikolić managed to evade a large number of enemy missiles. However, one missile did hit his aircraft over Titel and the aircraft caught fire.

Nikolić ejected from the burning MiG. After he left the aircraft, another missile struck the aircraft and turned it into a fireball. His aircraft was shot down by the Dutch air force - a pilot from the 322nd Squadron in an F-16AM.

Nikolić descended by parachute into the area of the village of Knićanin, where he was found by his colleagues.

Life after the war

Immediately after the end of the war, Nikolić completed the General Staff School and was appointed deputy director of the "Moma Stanojlović" overhaul plant. He retired in 2005.

Decorations

For his heroic conduct in combat, Lieutenant Colonel Nebojša Nikolić was decorated with the Medal for Bravery and promoted to a higher rank. All the pilots of the squadron received decorations for their conduct in the unequal battle.

Radio Television of Serbia broadcast an interview with him on 27 March 1999, only three days after the downing.